In the last 20 years, the Okanagan in beautiful British Columbia has bloomed into the world stage, where its unique rich lifestyle have flourished with increasingly high margins, dotting along Okanagan Lake, from Osoyoos , Penticton, Peachland , Kelowna to Vernon. From overseas investors to Vancouver mainland, the Okanagan real estate market has jumped increasingly…
My Secret Skills
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had? My secret skills aren’t all that secret, it’s just that you wouldn’t expect a Chef to have these skills. I was trained as an architectural technologist and worked in the field for seven years. I also took martial arts ; Taekwondo and Karate….
How’s Social Media Treating You ?
Good Day to all my foodie enthusiasts! Just realized I haven’t share my social media links with you all. To make it fun, I made an A.I. Video of myself with a fun new and impressive voice 😂. Just press play and have your volume up to hear it. So — how is social media…
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Lyonnaise
So today, I’m making Baked Canadian Great White North Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Lyonnaise — the perfect cheesy potato comfort food dish. Let’s begin preparing — STEP 1 Slice Onions (as shown in video ) and sauté them with 3 tablespoons of butter. Sauté unit a nice caramelize amber colour . STEP 2 Creamy Cheesy Bechamel…
Sunscape Resorts Mexico
This is the strangest thing — In 2020 just before the COVID crisis broke out we had such a cold winter here in Canada we made reservations for the Akumal region of Mexico ( 105 km / 65 miles to Cancun) . We stayed at Sunscape Akumal Resort and Spa. The resort wasn’t what I…
Butternut Curry Chicken
Good Morning Foodies ! Yesterday evening I made Butternut Chicken Curry w/ cauliflower , peppers , chickpeas and root veggies. It will go w/ sticky rice . My wife, Patricia made Naan Bread using the WW Two- Ingredient dough … This curry dish is not only good for you but healthy eating practices. Goes great…
Explore Nova Scotia and Traditional Rappie Pie Recipe
Hi All Foodies ! Today I have a special treat as we travel and explore Nova Scotia and learn how to prepare Acadian Comfort Food called “ Rappie Pie”. Included in our feature travelling segment I will introduce you to the Yarmouth Region of Southern Nova Scotia with some cool historical events and facts. Note…
Vegas Gives Me Freedom
Working long hours at anything can be exhausting, no matter what profession you do in life, just to survive this dysfunctional rat race. Thankfully there’s that sweet word “ vacation “ ( today kids call it vaca ) where we all head to our favourite place to recoup, recharge and get some much needed peace-of-mind….
Family is the Cornerstone of the Italian Culture
This past weekend has a significant defining moment on me , as we pay our respects to the passing of a generous kind man, Salvatore Pullano within the Italian community. Salvatore ( known to his coworker friends as Sami) was born in Travena ,Catanzaro on December 7 1946 ; Taverna is a comune and town…
Chef Meets Vegas High Roller
Happy January 2024 — Welcome! This past week I had the privilege to talk to Vegas High Roller Charles from the UK. As anyone that’s followed my website and social platforms, you all know I love everything Las Vegas. If you love Vegas and have been curious about the lifestyle of a High Roller, here’s…
New Changes 2024
Welcome to 2024 ! As we lean into 2024 I’ve made a few changes to my life and website. My website builder platform WordPress has allowed for easily creating my website chefbari.com concentrating on blogs related to cooking, baking , my published books and the personal life of me – Chef Bari. At one time…
Christmas Cookies Recipes and Treats
Only 7 days until Christmas Day 2023. We are down to the last week of baking off a variety of Cookies and treats this fine holiday season. Sugar Cookies are one of my favourites as you get to decorate them afterwards. Click HERE for the best Sugar Cookies recipe. Next is Ginger Sparklers – so…
Christmas Baking
I believe Christmas Season is my favourite time of year. Even though I was brought up Catholic within our Italian heritage, I’m far from being religious. Christmas has a different meaning to me, where it’s the fun holiday festival throughout December, just like the Roman Caesars celebrations. As a Chef, it also means this time…
Roman Heritage
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why? Historical figure or figures I would like to meet is Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius ( Mark Antony). Both are indeed interesting; maybe I can warn them and possibly change history. Both ancestors would have a different outcome while I would get the…
Fresh Baked Bread
Who doesn’t love homemade fresh baked bread lathered with butter that melts in your mouth. My recipe is so damn easy and versatile, you can make it everyday if you wanted to, baking off two bread loafs per recipe. If you been following me here or on YouTube you’ll know this same recipe can make…
Working on Bloody Vampire Cake
What have you been working on? Good Day Y’all ! In the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on the most outrageous Halloween Vampire Cake. This is year planning the most scary Halloween Vampire Cake, and after much consideration of themes I decided to do a “Black Forest Cherry Halloween Vampire Cake w/ Death…
Career Paths — Architectural Technologist
What’s something most people don’t know about you? Interesting, not many people know I used to work as a architectural technologist for over seven years before changing careers. The reason being, when growing up in Vernon, British Columbia my parents owned a small donut shop on Main Street. We were pretty much forced to work…
Halloween Baking : 3 D Vampire Coffin
This is year I’ve been planning a scary Halloween Cake, and after much consideration of themes I decided to do a “Black Forest Cherry Halloween Cake w/ caramel frosting, surrounded by marshmallow spider webbing.” Each stage is prepared on separate days, as this cake takes time and patience. The First Stage I’m going to make…
Baking
What is your favorite hobby or pastime? My favourite hobby or pastime is learning baking skills by my favourite Pastry Chef Anna Olson. Way back in Culinary Art Classes we did do Baking Shops, however when you’re out in the field you concentrate on cooking or baking. At school you had a choice to become…
Nanaimo Bar Recipe
Welcome My Foodie Friends With Halloween around the corner I was strangely reminded of Nanaimo Bars. Even though Nanaimo Bars are a treat during Christmas I started to think, what would you do to create a scary treat using Nanaimo Bars. SO – I’m forwarding the challenge to my bakers friends and family — How…
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Good Morning My Friends! I just realized I don’t have my Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe ; So — without further ado— here’s it is 👇 Preheat OVEN to 375 degrees F Ingredients: 1 cup of Butter ( room temperature) 1/2 cup of Brown Sugar ( my video does says 1 cup but I’m cutting back…
Tribute to Pastry Chef Anna Olson
Chef Anna Olson is a treasure of sweets and treats because, in my opinion , she’s the best Pastry Chef in the World. Born in Atlanta, Georgia her family moved to Toronto, Canada for reasons I’m not sure. Nevertheless, she started off in Toronto getting her degree in political science and sociology from Queen’s University…
Celebrating Holidays as a Chef
How do you celebrate holidays? Celebrating holidays are important to me now. As a Chef , I never had a chance to be with my family during my whole career until I retired. Every holiday I was working ; that being said, the holidays I love the most is Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s not all…
Are Chefs Leaders
Do you see yourself as a leader? Yes. ME MYSELF and I — lol. Seriously, in order to be an Executive Chef you must know how to delegate responsibilities to your brigade of cooks and station chefs ( aka chef de partie ) . In a restaurant or resort setting, the logistics can be overwhelming…
Strangest Requests a Chef Will Receive
Welcome! Good day All ! Hope your day is going well. I just saw this video where a timid waitress asks a chef if he can make an eggless omelette. Seeing this video brings me to think of all the strangest requests a chef receives during his shift. Believe it or Not — the eggless…
Promoting my Books and Sharing Stories
Why do you blog? Blogging is a big part of what I do. The reason why I blog is to promote my books, Canadian Recipes of the Great White North and Black Angels sharing my passion of writing stories. It’s also about introducing classic recipes throughout my career as an Executive Chef and showcasing our…
Beef Wellington is My Favourite
What’s your favorite recipe? I have many favourites; however, Beef Wellington is one of my favourite recipes to make from scratch. There are so many steps I usually make it for New Years Eve or Christmas Dinner. Beef Wellington or Salmon Wellington are both rewarding to make but requires your undivided attention. Full RECIPE is…
Architectural Cities of the Future
How would you design the city of the future? Welcome Before my long career as a Chef I was an Architectural technologist for seven years of my life. Uncle Pratt was an Architect ; he sparked my interest, since initially my goal was to get out of the restaurant business my parents started. My uncle…
What’s in a Name
Where did your name come from? Welcome! Bari Marcus Anthony is my name. My name comes from our Italian heritage. Mom told me we are related to Marcus Antonius ; you know as Mark Antony. Of course, most of Marcus Antonius offspring died at the hands of Octavian, who changed his name to Caesar Augustus….
Resorts World Las Vegas Review
Resorts World open on June 24 2021 costing a grand total of 4.3 billion. To date it’s the most expensive resort property ever built in Las Vegas. Located on the North side of the Vegas Strip and kitty corner to their rival, The Wynn, Las Vegas. Both properties have been battling each other ever since…
Joys of Writing
What do you enjoy most about writing? Writing takes commitment and time ; that being said, it’s satisfying when I hear fans spent their time to buy my books. As a Chef, my first book was to publish my signature cookbook, named “ Canadian Recipes of the Great White North “ . The Theme was…
Hot Sauces
Hot sauces have been around long before Ketchup came to your table. In fact, it’s the world’s most popular condiment, even though North Americans favourite condiment will always be Heinz Ketchup. Today’s most popular hot sauces are : Sriracha Tabasco Franks RedHot Cholula Each of the above sauces have their own unique flavour where they…
Bulls-Eye BBQ Pork using a WOK
Perfect BBQ Pork using a WOK. One of the easiest and quickest dinners you’ll make for your family. Ingredients: Pork loin ( cut in julienne strips as shown in video) (One pork loin per person ) ( Buy thick 3/4 inch at Costco) 2 Sweet Red Peppers ( cut in julienne strips as shown in…
Italy
If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go? Why Italy of course 🤩 My Mom born in the Abruzzo Region of Southern Italy, it’s only fitting I visited her homeland. I remember her saying,” Once you’re older we will take a trip back home and I can really show you different types…
Grilled Garlic Butter Pork Chops
“The Trick William Potter …” is its in the butter at your favourite dining restaurant. Why do dishes always taste so much better then home ? It’s the added richness of the butter, including herbs, enhancing the flavour of the star dish you order. Grilling on your BBQ isn’t any different… Grilling during the summer…
Pizza Pizza Pizza !
What foods would you like to make? Oh ! That’s an easy question! I like making different types of homemade pizza 🍕. Along with it comes different kinds of sauces to make with it. As a matter of fact, every Friday is Pizza 🍕 time. You too can make it from scratch with my Pizza…
Wedding Pictures
What bothers you and why? True Story — I was watching People’s Court with Judge Marilyn Milian the other day. One of her cases involved a wedding couple and the photographer, who they were suing , due to not receiving still photos during parts of their ceremony. When I saw this program, I was thinking,”…
Classic French and Italian Cuisine
On what subject(s) are you an authority? I was trained in Classic French Cuisine by prominent French Chefs during my culinary in-house training at corporate hotels. My Italian cooking came through the years with our Italian family, including the love and patience of my Grandpa Tony. So — professional I would say I am an…
Authentic Fettuccine Ragù Bolognese
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood? This is an easy one ! Every Saturday my grandfather , Tony Varze and I would make Fettuccine Ragù Bolognese. He would be up way before me, preparing the Ragù Bolganaise sauce. It was our little tradition, where I would wake up, already smelling…
Exploring your Heritage and Beyond
What countries do you want to visit? First and foremost the country I most want to visit is Italy. As said before , my Mom was born in the Abruzzo Region of Southern Italy. It would be something to be able to connect with my distant relatives, even though I’m half Italian. I believe it…
My Legacy
What is the legacy you want to leave behind? As an author it’s my passion to create a legacy through my writing of short stories and science fiction novels, like Black Angels, for example. With my years of experience as a chef, it’s important for me to pass along my published cookbook, “Canadian Recipes of…
Happy Anniversary
This is a quick Blog Post — Happy 44 Anniversary Lovely Patricia 🥰 This photo was from our stay @SunscapeResorts last year — Need to make another visit to Cancun area Cheers ! Chef Bari
Camping in the Okanagan
Have you ever been camping? Most definitely! Brought up in the Vernon, BC I was lucky to be living within the rich fertile region of the Okanagan Valley in south-central British Columbia, Canada. The region is diverse in lakes, rolling hills to mountain peaks throughout the 180 km of farm land boasting 86 percent of…
Travelling Chef
How do you unwind after a demanding day? I plan for my next trip to Las Vegas. Vacations are important to me, as it’s a time to forget about regular living and enjoy yourself and wellbeing. Even in retirement mode, it’s still important to get out of your daily rut and experience something exciting and…
Easter Chef Mode – Making a Turkey Roll from scratch
This Easter Sunday I planned out making a Stuffed Turkey Roll from scratch. I place this in the Chef Mode series because the whole procedure takes time, patience and some skill, from deboning the small Turkey to rolling it with some useful tips and tricks ( aka chefs techniques ). DAY ONE I always give…
Whole Wheat Bread
My daughter Tianndra baked homemade Whole Wheat Bread ; this dad is so proud of her. Here’s the recipe she used 👇 Ingredients : • ¼ cup warm water • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast • 1 cup whole milk • ¼ cup honey • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher…
Marcus Anthony
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance? My middle names are related to my ancestor bloodline of Marcus Antonius. We all know the tragic ending with Antony and Cleopatra ; however , what you most probably didn’t realize, my family’s bloodline is related to the great Roman General, who was also…
EZZY PEEZY BREAD, BUNS,CINNAMON BUN & PIZZA DOUGH
Here’s my so easy and fast dough recipe to make ( your choice) bread, cinnamon bread, pizza dough, buns or cinnamon buns. It’s so easy you’ll be making a batch everyday! EZZY PEEZY BREAD, BUNS,CINNAMON BUN & PIZZA DOUGH by Chef Bari Yield : 4 – 8 guests (Note : If NOT making Pizza don’t…
A Brand New Look and 3rd Edition of Canadian Recipes of the Great White North 2020
I have great news ! I have just finished my third edition of my cookbook‘Canadian Recipes of the Great White North’ , featuring a brand new look for 2020. First and foremost you’ll see the new cover and jacket of my cookbook, completely redesigned. Secondly, I have 25 percent more recipes, including our granny’s secret…
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