Mark Lautens
@marklautens.bsky.social
🇨🇦 O.C., University Professor and Chair of Chemistry, sometimes Opinion writer, always opinionated, citizenship ceremony presiding officer. Come for the food, travel and outdoors stories, stay for the chemistry.
Dueling Pinot Noir tasting on a cold and wet Friday night at the farm.
In the corner on my left, a Bourgogne Rouge from Chavy-Chouet 2018
With a bit of age.
On the right, Canadian contender Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée 2022.
One of our favourite BC Pinot’s.
In the bottle and the glass.
In the corner on my left, a Bourgogne Rouge from Chavy-Chouet 2018
With a bit of age.
On the right, Canadian contender Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée 2022.
One of our favourite BC Pinot’s.
In the bottle and the glass.
November 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Dueling Pinot Noir tasting on a cold and wet Friday night at the farm.
In the corner on my left, a Bourgogne Rouge from Chavy-Chouet 2018
With a bit of age.
On the right, Canadian contender Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée 2022.
One of our favourite BC Pinot’s.
In the bottle and the glass.
In the corner on my left, a Bourgogne Rouge from Chavy-Chouet 2018
With a bit of age.
On the right, Canadian contender Blue Mountain Reserve Cuvée 2022.
One of our favourite BC Pinot’s.
In the bottle and the glass.
Our farewell to Switzerland ends where it began, in France.
A stay at hotel l’incomparable lives up to its name and ⭐️. @guideMichelinFR
New owners and chef, excellent value. 👏🏼👏🏼
Selected dishes:
Carrots (elevated)
Topinambour
Omble avec beurre blanc
Chocolate
A stay at hotel l’incomparable lives up to its name and ⭐️. @guideMichelinFR
New owners and chef, excellent value. 👏🏼👏🏼
Selected dishes:
Carrots (elevated)
Topinambour
Omble avec beurre blanc
Chocolate
October 26, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Our farewell to Switzerland ends where it began, in France.
A stay at hotel l’incomparable lives up to its name and ⭐️. @guideMichelinFR
New owners and chef, excellent value. 👏🏼👏🏼
Selected dishes:
Carrots (elevated)
Topinambour
Omble avec beurre blanc
Chocolate
A stay at hotel l’incomparable lives up to its name and ⭐️. @guideMichelinFR
New owners and chef, excellent value. 👏🏼👏🏼
Selected dishes:
Carrots (elevated)
Topinambour
Omble avec beurre blanc
Chocolate
It has not been easy to follow the #BlueJays from Lausanne.
Fortunately,the event honouring Jieping Zhu was so much fun that it helped soothe the FOMO.
That and waking up in the middle of the night to check the score were all that was needed.
Fortunately,the event honouring Jieping Zhu was so much fun that it helped soothe the FOMO.
That and waking up in the middle of the night to check the score were all that was needed.
October 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It has not been easy to follow the #BlueJays from Lausanne.
Fortunately,the event honouring Jieping Zhu was so much fun that it helped soothe the FOMO.
That and waking up in the middle of the night to check the score were all that was needed.
Fortunately,the event honouring Jieping Zhu was so much fun that it helped soothe the FOMO.
That and waking up in the middle of the night to check the score were all that was needed.
Excited to be back in Lausanne.
We enjoying visiting our old haunts including a restaurant Jieping Zhu introduced to us during our sabbatical at EPFL.
Risotto with champagne and Parmesan
We enjoying visiting our old haunts including a restaurant Jieping Zhu introduced to us during our sabbatical at EPFL.
Risotto with champagne and Parmesan
October 19, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Excited to be back in Lausanne.
We enjoying visiting our old haunts including a restaurant Jieping Zhu introduced to us during our sabbatical at EPFL.
Risotto with champagne and Parmesan
We enjoying visiting our old haunts including a restaurant Jieping Zhu introduced to us during our sabbatical at EPFL.
Risotto with champagne and Parmesan
@profdaveleigh.bsky.social came to town and wowed us with his amazing science + a little magic.
He asked me for the name of a student with a good sense of humor, but I did not know his plan. Fortunately, all went well with Clara, who as you can see enjoyed the event.
He asked me for the name of a student with a good sense of humor, but I did not know his plan. Fortunately, all went well with Clara, who as you can see enjoyed the event.
October 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
@profdaveleigh.bsky.social came to town and wowed us with his amazing science + a little magic.
He asked me for the name of a student with a good sense of humor, but I did not know his plan. Fortunately, all went well with Clara, who as you can see enjoyed the event.
He asked me for the name of a student with a good sense of humor, but I did not know his plan. Fortunately, all went well with Clara, who as you can see enjoyed the event.
Be careful who you dine with, or you may have a 3.5h lunch with engaging hosts, great food, and off the chart wines.
Chez Bruce was amazing but nothing could top these wines. The founders of the feast know who you are.
Lobster ravioli, grouse, cheese course…. and more
Chez Bruce was amazing but nothing could top these wines. The founders of the feast know who you are.
Lobster ravioli, grouse, cheese course…. and more
September 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Be careful who you dine with, or you may have a 3.5h lunch with engaging hosts, great food, and off the chart wines.
Chez Bruce was amazing but nothing could top these wines. The founders of the feast know who you are.
Lobster ravioli, grouse, cheese course…. and more
Chez Bruce was amazing but nothing could top these wines. The founders of the feast know who you are.
Lobster ravioli, grouse, cheese course…. and more
Dinner with my son and his fiancé at Harewood Arms a 1* Michelin in Fulham.
A highly elevated pub experience. Great to enjoy the Churchill War Rooms by day, and feast by night.
Trout
Cornish Skate with capers and muscles
A highly elevated pub experience. Great to enjoy the Churchill War Rooms by day, and feast by night.
Trout
Cornish Skate with capers and muscles
September 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Dinner with my son and his fiancé at Harewood Arms a 1* Michelin in Fulham.
A highly elevated pub experience. Great to enjoy the Churchill War Rooms by day, and feast by night.
Trout
Cornish Skate with capers and muscles
A highly elevated pub experience. Great to enjoy the Churchill War Rooms by day, and feast by night.
Trout
Cornish Skate with capers and muscles
After big meals with @profdaveleigh.bsky.social it was time for a lighter lunch.
Meal at a pub near Putney Bridge did the trick.
Meal at a pub near Putney Bridge did the trick.
September 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
After big meals with @profdaveleigh.bsky.social it was time for a lighter lunch.
Meal at a pub near Putney Bridge did the trick.
Meal at a pub near Putney Bridge did the trick.
A trip “home” - back to the area my family emigrated from in 1951!
They left Oldham after WWII, when jobs were in short supply for unskilled workers.
I return a few years later to give the TY Shen Lecture University of Manchester with my kind host @profdaveleigh.bsky.social
They left Oldham after WWII, when jobs were in short supply for unskilled workers.
I return a few years later to give the TY Shen Lecture University of Manchester with my kind host @profdaveleigh.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A trip “home” - back to the area my family emigrated from in 1951!
They left Oldham after WWII, when jobs were in short supply for unskilled workers.
I return a few years later to give the TY Shen Lecture University of Manchester with my kind host @profdaveleigh.bsky.social
They left Oldham after WWII, when jobs were in short supply for unskilled workers.
I return a few years later to give the TY Shen Lecture University of Manchester with my kind host @profdaveleigh.bsky.social
Saturday and time to celebrate an outstanding Ontario wine.
Two Sisters Cabernet Franc from Niagara is splendid. Better restock.
Two Sisters Cabernet Franc from Niagara is splendid. Better restock.
September 13, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Saturday and time to celebrate an outstanding Ontario wine.
Two Sisters Cabernet Franc from Niagara is splendid. Better restock.
Two Sisters Cabernet Franc from Niagara is splendid. Better restock.
September 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Farewell to Paris, after a wonderful week of hiking in the val d’Anniviers in Switzerland.
A great meal at Nous 4 near the Gare de Lyon to end our stay.
A great meal at Nous 4 near the Gare de Lyon to end our stay.
August 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Farewell to Paris, after a wonderful week of hiking in the val d’Anniviers in Switzerland.
A great meal at Nous 4 near the Gare de Lyon to end our stay.
A great meal at Nous 4 near the Gare de Lyon to end our stay.
A hike in Zinal. 5 degrees this morning, 7 at the summit at noon.
August 24, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A hike in Zinal. 5 degrees this morning, 7 at the summit at noon.
A welcome break from being Chair.
Enjoying the outdoors.
We somehow beat the odds and made it to Europe, in spite of issues at Air Canada. All thanks to a wonderful “in-charge” and concierge.
Flying often does have small benefits.
Welcome to Zinal Switzerland 🇨🇭a heavenly place in the Valais.
Enjoying the outdoors.
We somehow beat the odds and made it to Europe, in spite of issues at Air Canada. All thanks to a wonderful “in-charge” and concierge.
Flying often does have small benefits.
Welcome to Zinal Switzerland 🇨🇭a heavenly place in the Valais.
August 24, 2025 at 7:34 AM
A welcome break from being Chair.
Enjoying the outdoors.
We somehow beat the odds and made it to Europe, in spite of issues at Air Canada. All thanks to a wonderful “in-charge” and concierge.
Flying often does have small benefits.
Welcome to Zinal Switzerland 🇨🇭a heavenly place in the Valais.
Enjoying the outdoors.
We somehow beat the odds and made it to Europe, in spite of issues at Air Canada. All thanks to a wonderful “in-charge” and concierge.
Flying often does have small benefits.
Welcome to Zinal Switzerland 🇨🇭a heavenly place in the Valais.
We treat ourselves with a gift from a group member who graduated in 2022. Finally seemed the right moment to enjoy this beauty.
A splendid wine, served with beef tenderloin. A perfect match. Rich and chewy. 😋
2018 Hermitage from Delmas
Fun to think back on the great chemistry done by them.
A splendid wine, served with beef tenderloin. A perfect match. Rich and chewy. 😋
2018 Hermitage from Delmas
Fun to think back on the great chemistry done by them.
July 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
We treat ourselves with a gift from a group member who graduated in 2022. Finally seemed the right moment to enjoy this beauty.
A splendid wine, served with beef tenderloin. A perfect match. Rich and chewy. 😋
2018 Hermitage from Delmas
Fun to think back on the great chemistry done by them.
A splendid wine, served with beef tenderloin. A perfect match. Rich and chewy. 😋
2018 Hermitage from Delmas
Fun to think back on the great chemistry done by them.
Dinner wine and back up wine for the “Grand Menu” of Jason Bangerter at Langdon Hall tomorrow.
Excitement is already building.
I enjoy seeing the price label from purchase back in 1990 (not a typo) of $36.70 which is about the price of two glasses of prosecco in 2025.
Excitement is already building.
I enjoy seeing the price label from purchase back in 1990 (not a typo) of $36.70 which is about the price of two glasses of prosecco in 2025.
July 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Dinner wine and back up wine for the “Grand Menu” of Jason Bangerter at Langdon Hall tomorrow.
Excitement is already building.
I enjoy seeing the price label from purchase back in 1990 (not a typo) of $36.70 which is about the price of two glasses of prosecco in 2025.
Excitement is already building.
I enjoy seeing the price label from purchase back in 1990 (not a typo) of $36.70 which is about the price of two glasses of prosecco in 2025.
A totally unexpected but very lovely birthday gift came my way.
For those who play bingo, clickety-click.
If you will permit a short story.
A former group member from abroad intended to write “hope you have a good day” but it spell corrected to “hope you tinder a good day”
We are way past that!
For those who play bingo, clickety-click.
If you will permit a short story.
A former group member from abroad intended to write “hope you have a good day” but it spell corrected to “hope you tinder a good day”
We are way past that!
July 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
A totally unexpected but very lovely birthday gift came my way.
For those who play bingo, clickety-click.
If you will permit a short story.
A former group member from abroad intended to write “hope you have a good day” but it spell corrected to “hope you tinder a good day”
We are way past that!
For those who play bingo, clickety-click.
If you will permit a short story.
A former group member from abroad intended to write “hope you have a good day” but it spell corrected to “hope you tinder a good day”
We are way past that!
Panna cotta avec consommé de fraises, shortbread au poivre rose, made an appearance during a dinner with some dear friends.
Mon epouse dug deep into her culinary bag of tricks.
Mon epouse dug deep into her culinary bag of tricks.
July 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Panna cotta avec consommé de fraises, shortbread au poivre rose, made an appearance during a dinner with some dear friends.
Mon epouse dug deep into her culinary bag of tricks.
Mon epouse dug deep into her culinary bag of tricks.
Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
I am fortunate to live in this great country, in a beautiful spot, and with great friends as neighbours.
Canada is not perfect but we can all do our part to make it better.
I am fortunate to live in this great country, in a beautiful spot, and with great friends as neighbours.
Canada is not perfect but we can all do our part to make it better.
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦
I am fortunate to live in this great country, in a beautiful spot, and with great friends as neighbours.
Canada is not perfect but we can all do our part to make it better.
I am fortunate to live in this great country, in a beautiful spot, and with great friends as neighbours.
Canada is not perfect but we can all do our part to make it better.
Bluebird at the Bolthole Farm
June 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Bluebird at the Bolthole Farm
We had convocation on Friday.
At our department reception, a family approached me including a graduate from today’s ceremony. Turns out I swore in this family as citizens 7.5 years ago.
My brief words had an impact on his career choice. So nice to catch up with them.
At our department reception, a family approached me including a graduate from today’s ceremony. Turns out I swore in this family as citizens 7.5 years ago.
My brief words had an impact on his career choice. So nice to catch up with them.
June 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
We had convocation on Friday.
At our department reception, a family approached me including a graduate from today’s ceremony. Turns out I swore in this family as citizens 7.5 years ago.
My brief words had an impact on his career choice. So nice to catch up with them.
At our department reception, a family approached me including a graduate from today’s ceremony. Turns out I swore in this family as citizens 7.5 years ago.
My brief words had an impact on his career choice. So nice to catch up with them.
A bit of fun at my farewell Synthesis Board meeting @synthesis1969.bsky.social
Many lovely and generous gifts, but a fun one as well.
How did 26 years pass so quickly?
Many lovely and generous gifts, but a fun one as well.
How did 26 years pass so quickly?
May 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
A bit of fun at my farewell Synthesis Board meeting @synthesis1969.bsky.social
Many lovely and generous gifts, but a fun one as well.
How did 26 years pass so quickly?
Many lovely and generous gifts, but a fun one as well.
How did 26 years pass so quickly?
Pics from our @synthesis1969.bsky.social and @synlettjournal.bsky.social Board meeting in Padua.
@silicon-martin.bsky.social @hideki-kuchem.bsky.social Jung Min Joo and Xin-Yuan Liu
@silicon-martin.bsky.social @hideki-kuchem.bsky.social Jung Min Joo and Xin-Yuan Liu
May 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Pics from our @synthesis1969.bsky.social and @synlettjournal.bsky.social Board meeting in Padua.
@silicon-martin.bsky.social @hideki-kuchem.bsky.social Jung Min Joo and Xin-Yuan Liu
@silicon-martin.bsky.social @hideki-kuchem.bsky.social Jung Min Joo and Xin-Yuan Liu
Sűd Tyrol is magnificent in all respects.
Amazing hike at VigilJoch on a perfect day.
We can’t seem to get away from ski lifts, even this ancient single seater.
And cows are now a big part of our life.
Amazing hike at VigilJoch on a perfect day.
We can’t seem to get away from ski lifts, even this ancient single seater.
And cows are now a big part of our life.
May 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Sűd Tyrol is magnificent in all respects.
Amazing hike at VigilJoch on a perfect day.
We can’t seem to get away from ski lifts, even this ancient single seater.
And cows are now a big part of our life.
Amazing hike at VigilJoch on a perfect day.
We can’t seem to get away from ski lifts, even this ancient single seater.
And cows are now a big part of our life.
Buying Canadian (wine) 🇨🇦 🍁 and enjoying. Black Hills Wines
May 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Buying Canadian (wine) 🇨🇦 🍁 and enjoying. Black Hills Wines