Local chef creates Dr. Henry Whisky Gourmet Sauce for BC COVID-19 efforts
Proceeds from Ann Kirsebom’s sauce support Emergency Relief Fund, health-care workers in B.C.
Dr. Bonnie Henry. Photo by John Lau
PARIS IN A Chocolate—a line of elegant bonbons filled with Grand Marnier— is one thing that keeps Vancouver’s Ann Kirsebom busy. The classically trained chef also runs a full-service boutique catering company, just one type of business that got walloped during lockdown. With a tiny bit of time on her hands, she decided she wanted to do something for charity, something related to COVID-19. That’s how the Dr. Henry Whisky Gourmet Sauce came to be.
Kirsebom is the culinary whiz behind Chef Ann’s Gourmet Sauces, which can be found at places like Gourmet Warehouse, Edible Canada, and Cioffi’s Meat Market and Deli. In flavours like Tequi-Lime and Teriyaki Sake, they have shown up in swag bags at the Emmy Awards, Canadian Country Music Awards, and Leo Awards, among other high-profile events.
With an idea in mind to support COVID-19 efforts in B.C. and honour Bonnie Henry, Kirsebom contacted the provincial health officer directly.
“I wrote to her and confirmed that all net proceeds would be donated to the BC COVID-19 Emergency Fund and also to health-care workers at UBC and VGH Hospitals,” Kirsebom tells Stir. “Dr. Henry liked the idea and gave me permission and her blessing to use her image on the label.”
Made with lime juice, orange juice, whisky, tomatoes, chilies, garlic, vinegar, dates, salt, sugar, and other ingredients, the sauce can be used for barbecuing, grilling, marinating, or in stir-frys and salads. (At Gourmet Warehouse, a 375-mL bottle retails for $8.99.)
John Lau, a friend of Kirsebom’s who teaches graphic design at Capilano University, helped with the website and social media. Lau also designed the label, which features an illustration of Henry by one of his fourth-year students, Aidan Zecchel.
“Once the first batch was produced, we took the ferry to Victoria to present the sauce to Dr. Henry,” Kirsebom says. “She was as lovely as you can imagine.”
To find Dr. Henry Whisky Sauce, visit Chef Ann’s website.
Chef Ann Kirsebom.
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