Government in truffle again?

Public Eye Oct. 28:

The provincial government has splashed out almost half-a-million dollars to host business leaders and foreign dignitaries at a tony private club in Vancouver during the length of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. A contract exclusively obtained by Public Eye via a freedom of information request states that price tag for 29 days of hosting could increase to a maximum of $650,000. But the government has already pre-paid $135,000 for meeting room rentals and $315,000 for food and beverages. That includes the cost of renting five suites for 18 days to make lodging available to those VIPs at the Terminal City Club's boutique hotel.

The province, which is being allowed to supply its own wine, hasn't yet decided how to spend its food and beverage budget.

But among the selections it will be considering is a $57.00 four-course "refined" dinner that features options like:

* game consomme, truffle gnocchi;
* vanilla cured pork belly, crispy 150 mile house bacon, peach thyme compote;
* maple miso marinated sable fish, steamed new potatoes, pickled vegetables;
* chocolate covered mousse bombe, gold adorned.

And, for an extra $15, the government could add Chardonnay steamed Caribbean lobster tail, chunked crab and truffle hollandaise or coriander-crusted Alaskan scallops to that dinner. More modest selections are also available.

Asked about that contract, a government spokesperson explained it will allow the province to "maximize the economic and investment opportunities that come from hosting business leaders and dignitaries from around the world who are visiting Vancouver during the Games."