BEST BURGER
Rusty Johnson of Port Moody (Rusty’s BBQ - Home Cook) was named a winner in the first-ever Canadian Food Championships. Last month in Edmonton, Johnson clinched first place in the burger category for his meal; second and third prizes were awarded to chefs from Home Cook in Alberta. As a result of his win, which included a $2,500 award and a travel voucher, Johnson now competes at the World Food Championships in Florida in November. “The talent at the Canadian Food Championships was incredible and so was the action,” Paul Lucas, Events Edmonton’s general manager said in a news release. “It was a thrill to watch so many skilled cooks from across Canada and with such different backgrounds compete against one another.”
POP POP
Staff at a Coquitlam Rona store chose Crossroads Hospice Society as its charity recipient this summer. It is the third time that the Barnet Highway shop has selected the Port Moody hospice. This recent tally, which came in through popcorn sales, amounted to $965.
CADET CAMP
Port Coquitlam Cadet Cain Beebe mastered mountain biking in Kalamalka Lake Park near the Vernon Cadet Training Centre he is attending this summer. The 15-year-old student at Riverside secondary school was on the expedition instructor course, a six-week session that teaches him hiking and canoeing as well as cycling skills. Sgt. Beebe has been a cadet with 2893 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps for four years. More than 1,500 army, navy and air cadets from western Canada are at the facility this summer.
AHOY MATEYS!
Kids at Zajac Ranch are hoping Tri-City residents will take part in a fundraiser for their camp, which provides summer experiences for children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and chronic disabilities. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, diners young and young-at-heart can support the camp by ordering a Pirate Pak at White Spot. The restaurant chain — which has locations in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam — will donate a toonie from the sale of every Pirate Pak to the cause. The eatery has collected more than $347,000 for Zajac Ranch in six years. “White Spot has become integral in our ability to enrich the lives of kids who need support,” said Mel Zajac, founder of Zajac Ranch for Children, in a news release. “Community initiatives like Pirate Pak Day help us offer illness-specific camps that put smiles of the faces of these kids. For instance, many of our campers get to ride a horse for the first time in their life.”
