As a teen, sailing was Matt Osborne’s passion. A self-described troublemaker at home, his mother signed him up as a camp counsellor at a sailing camp to “keep me away from the bad crowd.” It was there that Matt stumbled into gastronomy. “It was at the camp that I actually got into the kitchen life and realized I liked it,” explains the East York, Toronto native who moved to Vancouver at the age of 12.
Fast forward to 2017, Matt is the director of kitchen operations for Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar’s three locations, including its flagship restaurant in the Waterfront SkyTrain Station.
Like so many chefs before him, Matt Osborne started in the culinary industry as a dishwasher before coming up the ranks to lead cook. In 2004, he decided to attend Vancouver Community College’s culinary arts program. “My first chef job was working with Browns Restaurants at Cats Social House on Granville Island in their test kitchen location,” he says. After a few years and a few stints at various local eateries, he was invited to open Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar’s Convention Centre location as its chef.
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Get your frozen cocktail fix on the cheap at this Gastown standby. Two-ounce frozen bellinis are less than $5 when you visit during Happy Hour (between 3:00 to 6:00 pm daily). Made with white rum, peach schnapps, champagne, peach slush and sangria, these seriously sweet sippers are also on special all day Tuesday if you’re looking for a little mid-week treat. Alternatively, top off your frozen slushy with an apricot ale to make it a beerlini. The sprawling patio is conveniently located near Waterfront Station if you need to unwind with a post-work cocktail before your evening commute.
View this Smart ListThe Rogue Signature Cilantro Caesar is a thing of beauty – as long as cilantro is your thing. A typical order will see one delivered to you with house-made vodka infused with cilantro and cumin, spiced up with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, and completed with a full pepperoni stick. If you’re one of those unlucky souls who can’t stomach cilantro, sub in your favourite booze instead.
View this Smart ListThis popular Vancouver chain boasts three locations around the downtown, but we’re partial to the original outpost located on the edge of Gastown. Just steps away from Waterfront Station, Rogue’s spacious patio is a prime spot for people-watching while enjoying views of the North Shore. The sultry sangria punch is served in a glass ($6.99) or can be upsized to a fishbowl goblet ($15.99) topped with fresh orange and lime wedges and served with comically oversized straws if you feel inclined to share among friends – although we wouldn’t blame you if you sipped this sweet cocktail all by yourself.
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