When in the presence of Stevie B, you feel a certain stillness that is hard to explain…until you look into his eyes (checkout this shot of Stevie!). They seem to go on forever without end, and they give you the impression that his mind never stops thinking and dreaming. The KA Best of Canada (events [...]
When we first met Maya, we were floored by the amount of energy that she had, plus the magazine that she was publishing (YU) is amazing. Now, Maya has continued to reinvent herself, and coupled with her experience in print media, she has launched her PR and marketing company. Seeing Maya work and her attention [...]
Vanessa Morcom is the PR person’s PR agent, and she is part of the new bread of agents out there: young, ambi- tious, but completely connected to their hearts. KA Magazine is pleased to have Vanessa as Best of Canada, and will definitely do our part to “PR her” as the best in her field. [...]
Teacher, poet, mad scientist, designer, architect…KA Magazine’s Best of Canada 2010 Designer Michael Joannidis is that rare bird that is all of the above. If this interview alone doesn’t fully convince you as to why he is definitely the one to watch, then time will do the job nicely. We invite you to take a [...]
Anna Liani’s journey began years ago as a teenager who was heading for certain fame and then, the nightmare hap- pened. The manager of her then young group completely “lost it” after he began suffering from depression – locking himself away with all their hopes and dreams held on a string. This caused a chain [...]
One night at a JoJo Flores session and you will be hooked. The man is really that good! Playing now for over 25 years, JoJo is from the school of the mixed tapes (remember when DJs used to make mixed tapes?!). That rare brand of DJs that had to make it the hard way: with [...]
It seems that a common thread with this issue of KA Best of Canada is serendipity, and this trend continues with the chance meeting between the editor of KA magazine and Zark Fatah. It was at such a chance meeting that we knew that this was not an ordinary promoter. Zark was definitely someone we [...]
Luo Hong is a man passionate about the environment and Man’s relationship with wildlife. Armed with his camera, he travels to Africa capturing images of wildlife in the hopes of raising awareness on our connected and shared destinies. He was named “Climate Hero” by the United Nations Environment Program. The story of Luo Hong is the stuff that movies are made of. Born in 1967, Luo Hong at the age of 16, dropped out of school to start a photography business, taking pictures and selling landscape images of rural Sichuan. This business did not work out for the young photographer, so he then decided to start a small bakery shop in 1992. The interesting part of the story occurs when in 2000, Luo Hong founded a moon cake factory in Shenyang, but to only 1 year later take it down and build a new one. He felt that the old factory did not match international sanitary standards, so he invested 50 million yuan (6.7 million US) to rebuild and meet the international standards of the pharmaceutical industry. This act of business conscience made Holiland Bakery the “last man standing” after the scare to follow a short while after when bakeries across&n bsp;China were shut down after the crack down on sanitation. In 2006, he established the Luo Hong Environment Foundation with the aim of training and educating children worldwide on the impact we are having on the planet’s fragile ecosystem. Holiland now has over 800 stores in more than 60 cities across China, selling cakes and bread, moon cakes and sweet dumplings — baking his way to success, this Billionaire has done it from the ground up. “I am more of an impulsive type. I have found the real excitement of my life and know exactly what I want, that’s enough” he says. KA — Your recent exhibit is entitled “Shared Destiny”, in which you present stunning images of wildlife that at once captivates and gives one the sense that they (the animals) are very fragile even in their strength. Do you consider, that we will have to share the destiny of the wildlife we are destroying? LH — Earth is a complete and balanced ecosystem, and if a link goes missing, there will be large and sometimes catastrophic damages. In this sense, all life on Earth share the same fate. As we can now see how closely linked we are as humans, to other biological species – we cannot help to feel anxiety for our own kind when witnessing the accelerated extinction of so many other life beings on Earth. KA — The patience that is required to create some of these images such as waiting 3 days to get the image of the giraffes behind the setting sun, seems to be a patience of joy. What is it like waiting for that sort of magic to occur? LH — With the image of the giraffes, I had been waiting in the wilderness of Africa for three full days – Waiting as the sun would set perfectly near the equator. (Waiting for this image was not the most comfortable thing!) However, if you believe deep enough that you will capture the magic, a miracle will happen. Then, the wait for this miracle is no longer tiresome, it is a thing of joy. KA — The fact that you have created such a vast material success creates also a duality; on one side you need to consume to keep your businesses going, on the other side you need to be aware of the impact Industry has on the planet. How do you reconcile these two opposites? LH — By being aware of the impact Industry has on the Earth, and I do my best everyday to create in consideration of the planet. This is the key. Not only am I aware, but I make it my life’s mission to educate and share my knowledge to as many people as I can. KA — Charity and especially those involving children, seem to be very close to your heart. Why is this? LH — From my growth and success, I’ve learned that the most important thing to have [...]
We have all heard the lawyer joke — Hell, I think even lawyers make lawyer jokes! You know the ones that present lawyers as literally heartless and without genuine sensibilities. What happens when a lawyer not only develops a sense of sharpness required to function effectively in this field, but as well as have a [...]
NOBU-Melbourne For the longest time, I was sure that Kleenex was the name of the tissue. In this sense, the recognition and consistency of certain brands have made them even more realized than the original items themselves. What comes to mind when I say for example, “APPLE”? If you are like most people on this planet, it probably was not the fruit. What comes to mind when I say the word “NOBU”…? NOBU-Dubai KA — Change, such a small word, but it can create so much fear. It seems the ones who embrace this word are the ones that create the most in our world —but everyone has their own way of dealing with change. What is your way? NM — My way is to adapt and be creative. Japanese food is very traditional and in order to make the people enjoy more food, I have to create a way. For example, some American people are afraid of raw fish, and thus I created dishes such as the New Style Sashimi which is slightly cooked so that they may enjoy. Also, we use sauces as a dressing to make it easier and comfortable for them to try. I use interesting products and combine them with Japanese cooking techniques to create the Nob u Style of Cooking. KA — Nobu, the name brings a certain energy of respect, even to someone who has never frequented a NOBU restaurant. To what do you attribute this mystique? NM — The level of quality that we preserve here. Be it with food, service or décor. People can expect great tasting food and service every time they frequent the restaurant. I believe the main attribution is the whole package that we provide, when everything syncs together, we can be certain that the customers will have a great experience. KA — Traveling around the world as you do with this name “Nobu”, how do you stay as grounded as you are? NM — To be true to myself and not change my own character. Being a chef is my life. I am grateful for the compliments but being Nobu is not to let “Nobu” get to my head. Being humble is a part of my character. Every time I am in the restaurant I am always smiling and talking to all my customers. KA — How important is alone time to your sense of being centered? NM — It is very important to me. When I need to relax and refocus, I don’t want to see anyone at all. I like to go to the hot spring and be close to nature. No cars, buildings, or phones. I like to read books and be quiet. KA — The name NOBU has become so large as an icon, that to think that there is actually a person with that name, is sort of similar to realizing that there is a family with the name “Kellogs”. Has the power of the NOBU brand affected your ability to be, Nobu? NM — I have to be responsible to the name and protect the people working for me. I feel like a father responsible for taking care of his children. I have to make sure that the quality and standards are being maintained and I cannot afford to make any mistakes. I am proud that the name has become so large, but it comes with responsibility to maintain the quality in order to keep growing, we cannot escape it. KA — Your reality seems to be based on contradictions, and a sort of “going where no one has gone before” attitude. Starting with Peruvian influences and love for places as far removed from the genesis of Sushi, as the idea of ice cream in the Arctic–yet you seem to make it all work. What is it about a place that inspires you? NM — My first inspiration to cook is from my mother. I started as a sushi chef in Tokyo when I was 18. I was there for 7 years before moving to Peru. Peru has opened new doors in different cooking styles for me. As a professional chef, I am always learning something new from all my travels. KA — Which city in the world have you seen the ultimate NOBU challenge and thrill? NM — At the moment it is our new locations in Moscow, Dubai and Cape Town. In the Middle East, the main challenge is the religious restriction. We cannot use alcohol or soy sauce in the cooking there. For Moscow, it is difficult to obtain fresh fish. We have to order them from London, Italy and France. In Cape Town, Japanese food is not as popular as in New York, London, LA or Tokyo which are bigger cities that know and [...]
BEST OF MONTREAL — FALL 2009 ISSUE HERBY MOREAU — THE ENTERTAINER Born in Haiti in 1968, Herby Moreau has a list of accomplishments that would be most people’s dream, but at the end of all this, what remains is something that is so simple and essential: his love for his mother and son. This [...]
KA MAGAZINE TALKS WITH ERWIN CREED — FALL 2009 KA — The lovers of CREED perfume have gotten younger and younger over the years. What do you think is the reason for this? EC — CREED is historical, yet very contemporary. I think anyone would say Acqua Fiorentina is a contemporary fragrance. It is light [...]
Introducing Alan Duggan — Irish born Actor. We sat with Alan Duggan a few weeks back and interviewed him for the fall issue of KA — A man with passion, great humility and a face you swear, has been around forever. ” I know that success is about staying positive — I just have a [...]
Interview With Patricia McKenzie in upcoming issue of KA Magazine~ KA —What made you fall in love with acting? PM — Acting is spiritual to me because it brings me awareness. Each character I play offers me a new opportunity to give my ego a break, be vulnerable, and open my heart to the world [...]
Chef: Marino Tavares — The pleasure of fine dining, and the pleasure of a fine restaurant FERREIRA CAFE, chef Marino Tavares makes us eat chocolate and loving it all the way to the end, while he waxes poetic on doing what you love and loving what you do… “I could not do the office work, [...]
“I relied more on street smarts, intuition, and intelligence to guide my decission making”… An unusual statement from an equally unusual “self made” man. We mean that in the literal sense of the word. Founder and CEO of Homburg Group of Companies,Richard Homburg sits with Kevin Allwood in Montreal for an interesting in depth talk for the [...]
What does: Nelson Mandela Rubin “Hurricane” Carter Sir Richard Branson Tim Burton Steven Spielberg Tom Cruise Janet Jackson Tina Turner Rosie O’Donnell & Prince Charles All have in Common …. Juliette Powell — and with her new and absolutely cool book, “33 Million People in the Room”, Juliette (( an unforgettable name )) breaks it down for those [...]