Recently, Barbara-jo hosted a book launch for Montreal-based chef and TV personality Chuck Hughes at West Restaurant. The elegant event - co-hosted by West -  was in honour of Chuck's new collection of recipes, Chuck's Day Off.  (Appropriately named after his popular Food Network series.)  The capacity crowd was treated to a delicious selection of appetizers from the book exquisitely prepared by West's executive chef Quang Dang and his brigade.   

Chuck thanked the packed audience for choosing to stay inside on a beautiful summer day. He recalled the year he spent in Vancouver working for a local ad agency.  "All I could think about was how much I wanted to cook," he said. "Now, I'm living my dream." 

The many devoted fans who lined up to get an autographed cookbook from their favourite TV chef were living a dream of their own. Chuck signed their books, posed for pictures and happily engaged them in conversation. No wonder one of his admirers described him as "a stand-up guy."     

For those who missed the event, there are still a few autographed copies of Chuck's Day Off available for purchase at the shop.