The stunning bride Isa
Well it’s official! Our Chef Isa DiIorio, known to you as “chickwithtongs” has tied the knot. Late this afternoon, a small group of family and close friends gathered beside a willow curtained pond on the Beamsville Bench to bear witness to the nupitals of our Isa to her beloved Shiraz. The setting could not have been more bucolic! It was magical.
Shiraz Mottiar is the very talented wine maker at the Malivoire Wine Company, responsible for some of our favourite wines — Guilty Men, Lady Bug Rosé and perhaps the best Pinot Gris in the area. Isa, as all of you know is one of the area’s most talented female chefs — make that just chefs, in Niagara. Isa, along with Chef Patrick Engel, make up the dynamic duo that create the food and fun here at The Good Earth.
How did they meet? Well, Isa and I were off to Sonoma and Isa bumped into Shiraz at The Jordan House where she asked for some recommendations on what wineries to visit. Time did not permit enough time to discuss this so…a dinner meeting was set up — (some would call that a date). Before long, it was evident that something was cooking — something special, prepared with TLC!
I often wax poetic about the merits of a great food and wine pairing. Now with the union of these two souls whose passions are equally weighted in their respective metiers, we have an opportunity to see food and wine united in a deeper sense.
As you can imagine the celebration was a feast. Both families contributed to the buffet table, groaning with family favourite dishes. Isa’s mom Marietta brought her legendary lasagna. Shiraz’ sister Nasima brought delicately seasoned samosas. Martin Malivoire did the honouors of shucking some oysters (once again sourced from Rodney’s Oyster House). We toasted the couple with sparkling — Cuvee Catherine from Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. Many glasses of wonderful Malivoire wine helped wash down the platefuls of mouthwatering dishes. Our own retail therapist Amanda made the wedding cake — an elegant two tiered white cake garnished with marguerites. Vases of summer flowers from Vintage Design Company added to the festive scene.
For those of you who have been out to The Good Earth recently, you may have noticed that Isa’s apron is looking a tad tighter. Now you can be forgiven for thinking that a wee bit too much butter or cream may be the culprit but…Isa and Shiraz are soon going to be welcoming a new vintage this harvest season. Yes, a little baby is expected in the middle of September. So be certain to drop in to the winery patio to see Isa before she heads off to full-time motherhood.
The Newlyweds
Food and wine – a marriage made in heaven? Well in this case, I would argue yes! Isa and Shiraz were great as single folk but together, they are dynamite.
Congratulations! Now what are you going to call that baby of yours? Petite Syrah?