Hotel Arts was thrilled to help sponsor the Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit's "Bill in Wonderland" in our Spectrum Ballroom this past January. The annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit has raised more than $4 million for prostate cancer research, education and treatment over the past 13 years. Deluxe Design Group posted a video showcasing highlights of this amazing event.

Congratulations as well to Bill Brooks who was named "Man of the Year" by Consumer Choice Awards for his long-standing coverage of the social scene and support of philanthropic events, including the Safe Haven Foundation and the Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit. Past recipients include Cirque du Soleil's Guy Lalibertè, Skeleton Gold Medalist Jon Montgomery and Canadian Astronaut Julie Payette.  

Avenue Magazine's fabulous food edition hit the newstands this week with arguably the best cover they've ever featured. Head Judge John Gilchrist is flanked with Calgary's Top Chefs (including Chef Duncan Ly from the Hotel Arts Group) for the 9th Annual Food Issue and their takes on "Their Last Supper". Chef Ly's last meal would be something his mom used to prepare: shrimp and pork salad rolls served with a tangy and spicy hoisin sauce and topped with crunchy peanuts followed by his mom's homemade pho with braised beef shank, thin slices of raw beef, onions, tripe, lots of fresh crunchy bean sprouts and chillies. Then he'd top it all off with her coconut rice pudding made with coconut milk, rice, coconut syrup and a shaved coconut garnish.

Other Notables:

Raw Bar Talent: Chef de Partie Jin Hee Lee 

Chef de Partie Jin Hee Lee from Raw Bar at Hotel Arts was featured in Swerve Magazine's profile on some of Calgary's top sous chefs. Click to see her profile as well as some other amazing talent working hard to make Calgary a great dining destination.

TravelAge West: Things to Do in Calgary 

Hotel Arts is featured as one of the boutique hotels to stay at during a visit to Calgary in Deanne Ting's article in TravelAge West. Among the dining and shopping features, Deanna highlights Canada Olympic Park, Heritage Park, Spark - the New Telus Science Centre and the Calgary Tower as attractions to visit during a visit to Calgary before experiencing the wonder of the Canadian Rockies. Of course, we always have a host more offerings for visitors to experience to extend your trip to Calgary...just ask our friendly staff as we're happy to help.

CBC EyeOpener & Stampede Occupancy 

Fraser Abbott, our Director of Business Development, dropped in for a chat with David Gray & Angela Knight at the CBC EyeOpener to discuss Stampede occupancy and the factors at play that are helping to build demand for attending the Stampede Centennial Celebrations. While we're extremely busy with group room demand for the first weekend and midweek, there are still pockets of availability... at both Hotel Arts & Kensington Riverside Inn which you can book on-line at our sites: www.hotelarts.ca or www.kensingtonriversideinn.com. Travelers can also book on Tourism Calgary's website: www.visitcalgary.com.

During the interview, Fraser brought along some of Chef Duncan Ly's Chocolate Truffle Pop Rocks which Angela enjoyed on-air. "Chocolate: The New Breakfast" could be a new delicious trend.

Calgary's Poet Laureate 

Hotel Arts sponsored the Calgary Poet Laureate Showcase which was held in our Spectrum Ballroom on the evening of March 1st with over 250 people attending to watch the short list of six nominees perform highlights of their work and participate in a Q&A session. Calgary's Poet Laureate will be announced at a City Council Meeting on March 19th. Visit the Calgary Arts Development Authority's website to learn more about the nominees and to stay tuned about who will emerge as Calgary's Poet Laureate.

Avenue Magazine's Best Restaurants 2012 

Raw Bar at Hotel Arts and Chef's Table at Kensington Riverside Inn were featured in Avenue Magazine's 9th Annual Food Issue where they list Calgary's Best Restaurants. Highlights of Avenue's commentary about these awards include the following: Raw Bar was the runner-up in two categories: Best Seafood and Best Desserts After a Meal. Raw Bar's Oceanwise Seafood is prominent in innovative dishes li...ke crab & mango rolls, tuna tataki & miso black cod donburi. Raw Bar Pastry Chef Leticia Larose-Chevalier's warm apple cake with smoked-bacon caramel sauce to a cinnamon bun creme brulee were highlighted as unique and luscious. Chef's Table was named Best Kept Secret for its intimate setting reflective of the upscale boutique hotel as a dining destination within our own city. With only 40 seats, every table is at the perfect vantage point from the open kitchen, where Chef de Cuisine Craig Boje and his team prepare plates as elegant and sumptuous as the room itself.

Attracting Guests with Art 

Hotel Arts & Kensington Riverside Inn are mentioned in an article by Chris McBeath "Attracting Guests With Arts" in the Winter 2011 Edition of InnFocus, a publication by the BC Hotel Association. Our properties have made a significant investment in memorable artwork as we feel that "art...appeals to the senses and imagination and evokes an emotional response that set us apart" from other hotels. Our extensive art collections help differentiate our hotels in a very competitive marketplace. Drop by to see some of our collection that includes works by Richard Halliday, Chris Cran, Bruce Pashak, Barry Fairburn, among others. (Article starts on Page 10)

TripAdvisor's Trendiest Hotels in Canada 

Hotel Arts was listed in TripAdvisor's Trendiest Hotels in Canada and was one of only three hotels in Calgary.    

Village Brewery's Blacksmith Ale on tap at Raw Bar 

Raw Bar at Hotel Arts is pleased to announce that we are one of a select few establishments pouring the Village Blacksmith from Calgary's own Village Brewery. This India Black Ale is already a popular pour in the Raw Bar as it tastes great.   Many Calgarians are also becoming quick converts to this local brew as they, like us at Hotel Arts, appreciate the business philosophies that underpin Village Brewery. Their unofficial mission statement is that "it takes a village to raise a brewery" but they also do their part to raise a village too as ten per cent of the business's earnings will be donated to community projects, particularly the Arts. Cheers to Jim Button, Tom Stuart and the hard-working owners of Village Brewery for the launch of your new venture. We'll raise a glass to toast your ongoing success.

Hotel Arts Group is actively involved in the neighbourhood around us.  Every month, we are dedicated to giving back to the community that supports our businesses and helps to make Calgary such a great place to live, work and play.    

Here are a few highlights of some of the groups we assist with donations:  

• getreallive: Get Real Live hosts a weekday online radio show as well as several live events within the community. Through these channels, they promote and encourage healthy families, relationships and strong community. On March 8, 2012 they hosted an event based around healthy eating and celebrity guest Chef Andre Carthen provided his expertise knowledge. For more information visit http://www.getreallive.com/get-real-live-presents-chef-andre/  or find them on twitter @realliveshow.       
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada: Ralf Aggarwal is part of LLSC's Team In Training where the group will go to Madrid, Spain to participate in a full marathon. If you would like to connect with Ralf and his team to help support, visit http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=3218307&langPref=en-CA.