I think everyone should eat at least one meal in the Kelowna Fire Hall, followed by a tour around town in a firetruck. It’s exactly how one should spend a Thursday night prior to the long weekend.

Please note that we had a fireman ‘at the ready’ in the background of the photo in case one of us inadvertantly swooned (as one does in a fire hall filled with burly men). I bet he would have managed to rescue any one of us before we  ever hit the floor.

Speaking of rescues, we did have a few disappointments regarding the romantic image of firemen, but more on that later…

This hosted dinner was part of a fundraiser that my sister-in-law Linda Bowyer bid on for her son’s graduating class.  (Linda’s the one on the right in the above photo. My other sister-in-law, Laura Allardyce is on the far left. I’m beside her and next to another lovely Kelowna local, Laura Decker.)

It must have been a great night because I feel a little foggy this morning and I don’t think it was from coming in too late…Hmmmm. I’m sure if I have another coffee that little dull throb in my head might go away.

Not sure what caused the head twinge, but it sure wasn’t from the dinner. OMG. Great food presented by the Executive Chef for 13 of the Cactus Club Restaurants, the very dynamic Eric Foskett.

Our evening started with a tour of the firehall, sparkling wine in hand.  They returned us to a little room set with a table for four and began our foodie event with a roasted tomato and gin soup topped with a goat cheese foam and a parmesan cracker.

Next came the ceviche made with orange segments, scallops and prawns  garnished with just a little avocadoe puree  that smoothed it all into a sublime experience.

Then it was time for dinner. But of course… Here comes the perfectly seared halibut served on spaghettini tossed with asparagus tips and edamame soybeans.

It would only seem fitting to finish it with chocolate lava cakes, a dollop of vanilla ice cream and a little coulis.

So, maybe it was the dinner that hurt me. Perhaps I’m having a delayed allergic headache from the asparagus?

Back to the Fire Hall Myth Busters:

a) They don’t have a Dalmatian.

b) They rarely slide down the pole.

c) They don’t rescue kittens from trees.

Other than that, they seem like they’re doing a pretty good job. Most importantly, they sure know how to host a lovely evening.