Free Spirit Returns with 50+ Non-Alcoholic Makers Dry January may be on the horizon, but Vancouver’s alcohol-free scene is celebrating early. Free Spirit, the city’s largest tasting event dedicated to non-alcoholic wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails, returns to Heritage Hall on Monday, December 8, 2025 — and this year’s edition is its biggest yet. Organized by acclaimed BC sommelier Kurtis Kolt, Free Spirit has quickly become a must-attend night for the sober-curious, zero-proof enthusiasts, and anyone looking for thoughtful, flavour-driven alternatives for the holiday season. Kolt notes that this upcoming event will feature double the number of producers compared to…
Author: cassandra
Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Alex Kim, Culinary Director at Five Sails, took second place in a nail-biter finale of Top Chef Canada Season 12, going head-to-head with Ontario chef Coulson Armstrong in the “One Night Only” showdown on the Flavour Network. Kim, who also holds the title of 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion, earned high praise throughout the finale for his precision, technique, and ability to deliver a polished fine-dining experience under pressure. A Finale Built Around a Dream Restaurant Concept For the last challenge of the season, Kim and Armstrong were asked to bring their own dream restaurants to life. Kim’s…
A newly released list of the 50 Best Steak Restaurants in North America has officially crowned Asador Bastian in Chicago as the continent’s top destination for beef lovers, and Vancouver’s own Elisa Makes the list, just past the top 10 at #11. While Chicago takes the No. 1 spot, it’s New York City that truly dominates the 2025 ranking with an astounding 20 restaurants on the list. A New No. 1: Asador Bastian, Chicago Opening in 2023, Asador Bastian blends Basque grilling traditions with North American beef culture. Led by chef Doug Psaltis, formerly of RPM Steak, the restaurant sources…
Two B.C.-Only Contests Offer a Chance to Win a Private Dinner for Four in honour of the 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Congratulations are in order as Chef Ned Bell and the Pacific Toyota Dealers partner once again to champion sustainability, local food, and smart everyday choices with the launch of the redesigned 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. To mark the campaign, Toyota and Chef Ned are offering two exclusive contests through CTV and Daily Hive, each giving B.C. residents the chance to win an unforgettable culinary evening with one of Canada’s leading sustainable chefs. About the 2026 Toyota Prius…
Season & Serve: A Cookbook for All Seasons Celebrates West Coast Cooking Vancouver’s culinary community has a beautiful new addition: Season & Serve: A Cookbook for All Seasons, the debut title from West Coast recipe developer and lifestyle creator Melissa Leung. The cookbook is officially available and already creating buzz among home cooks who love seasonal, local food. Known for her Season & Serve website and YouTube channel, Melissa has spent years inspiring readers to cook with the seasons, explore their gardens, and celebrate the ingredients that make the West Coast so special. Her new cookbook builds on that philosophy…
Adventure‑flavoured Design, Practical Tech, Two‑motor Hybrid Powertrain in the 2026 Honda CR‑V TrailSport Hybrid Powertrain 2.0‑L I‑4 + two‑motor hybrid Output ~204 hp / ~247 lb‑ft (est.) Drive AWD (TrailSport) Tires All‑terrain (235/60R18) Compare the Honda Prologue Honda’s CR‑V has long been a go‑to for practical drivers. The 2026 Honda CR‑V TrailSport Hybrid adds a dash of adventure with all‑terrain tires, distinctive styling, and standard all‑wheel drive on TrailSport—without losing the easygoing hybrid smoothness we appreciate in daily life. We took it out for a spin at Hopcott Farms during the cranberry harvest. Key Takeaways Adventure look, city manners: TrailSport brings…
Les Dames Dish It Up Victoria Fundraiser for Women in Hospitality – November 28, 2025 Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter is partnering with Camosun College to host the inaugural Dames Dish It Up fundraising event in Victoria on Friday, November 28, 2025, from 6 pm to 9 pm. This exciting new celebration brings together eight of Vancouver Island’s most talented female chefs for an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence, community, and mentorship. One hundred per cent of proceeds will support the Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter Scholarship Program, which helps advance and inspire BC women in culinary, beverage, hospitality, and…
Bold Flavours: Celebrate Radicchio with Chefs If you’re looking for an unforgettable culinary experience tonight, Bold Flavours returns to Vancouver on Tuesday, November 18 at Burdock & Co, and a very limited number of tickets are still available. This intimate 90-minute pop-up brings the spirit of Feast of Fields into the city with radicchio-inspired bites crafted by some of BC’s most talented chefs. More Events What to Expect Tonight Hosted by Chef Andrea Carlson of the Michelin-starred Burdock & Co, Bold Flavours highlights radicchio at peak season. Guests will enjoy creative tasting bites, cider pairings from Sea Cider Farm &…
Culinary students, members of the BC Chef Association, food-industry professionals, and one notorious tiny piglet, named Piggy Smalls, gathered at Maple Ridge High School and hopped aboard a bus for a full day of discovery during the Farm to Fork BC Tour. I was luckily invited along to join in and meet some of our future chefs. The itinerary took us across the Fraser Valley to meet the farmers, producers, and growers helping shape the future of sustainable food in British Columbia. Piggy Smalls: The Notorious Piglet We were introduced to a tiny piglet who was saved from a litter…
An evening of food, inspiration, and community support at Civic Hotel, Surrey Get ready for an unforgettable night of culinary creativity and compassion — Dan’s Legacy’s 12th Annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner returns on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the elegant Civic Hotel, Autograph Collection, in Surrey. Presented by the BCGEU, this beloved fundraiser brings together top local chefs, celebrity MC Erin Cebula, and supporters from across the Lower Mainland to raise vital funds for at‑risk youth through Dan’s Legacy’s trauma‑informed, no‑barrier counselling programs. TICKETS for Dan’s Legacy Chefs Dinner Coverage of Dan’s Legacy Chefs Dinner 2024 Dan’s Legacy Chefs Charity…
JINX blends gothic glamour with speakeasy mystique beneath the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver This fall, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver invites guests to step into the shadows and discover JINX — a hauntingly glamorous pop-up bar tucked beneath the hotel’s storied walls. Running until November 8, 2025, this limited-time experience blends gothic allure with speakeasy mystique, transforming the lower lobby into a world of candlelight, alchemy, and enchantment.The Mood: Gothic Glamour Meets Apothecary ChicDesigned to evoke a forgotten apothecary, JINX is adorned with curios, smoky aromatics, dried herbs, and an amber glow that instantly transports you. Every inch is photo-worthy — think…
This fall, descend into indulgence and experience a chilling twist on a beloved tradition. Beneath the storied walls of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Notch8 invites guests to explore its Haunted Cellar Afternoon Tea — a decadent journey where elegance meets the eerie. More Seasonal Events With flickering candlelight, gothic flourishes, and whispers of the supernatural, this is afternoon tea with a deliciously dark side. A Bewitching Culinary Experience Guests will savour a bewitching selection of handcrafted pastries, savoury bites, and confections inspired by the mysterious beauty of the season. The menu is a spellbinding mix of sweet and savoury —…
There’s a new reason to head to North Burnaby for dinner. Il Cappello Enoteca — the long-awaited full-service restaurant from the team behind The Gelato Mafia and Dolce Amore — officially opens its doors on October 21, 2025. Think traditional Italian dishes reimagined with modern flair, a stellar wine list, and that signature “La Famiglia” warmth we all know and love. More on Restaurants The opening completes La Famiglia Dolce Amore’s Burnaby trifecta — joining TGM Terrazza and Dolce Amore Caffetteria — creating a little slice of Italy right on Hastings Street. Inside, the 2,000-square-foot space welcomes around 100 guests…
Bacchus Vancouver fall dining Bacchus Restaurant & Lounge at the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa is welcoming autumn with a series of limited-edition seasonal dining experiences, from elegant Afternoon Tea to Bavarian-inspired Oktoberfest and a classic Thanksgiving feast. Don’t miss Bacchus Vancouver fall dining. More Events A Season of Culinary Traditions at Bacchus Located inside Vancouver’s only Relais & Châteaux property, the Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Bacchus Restaurant is known for blending European elegance with West Coast hospitality. This fall, Executive Chef Stefan Hartmann and Pastry Chef Samson Iza-Fellows invite guests to gather and celebrate the season’s flavours with three festive…
Honey Salt at Parq Vancouver is dedicating the fifth edition of its ongoing Art-Dinner Series to First Nations heritage, culture, and cuisine on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The evening features a Four Hands, four-course collaboration between Honey Salt Chef and series founder Johann Caner and guest chef Stephanie Baryluk, alongside a curated patio art exhibit, live performances, and a charity art auction in support of Girls Who LEAP. Honey Salt Art-Dinner First Nations Vancouver Event Snapshot When: Thursday, October 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Where: Honey Salt, Parq Casino, 39 Smithe St., Vancouver Price: $95 per person + tax & gratuity…
🍁 Best Canadian Cookbooks of 2025 Looking to freshen up your kitchen inspiration? The best Canadian cookbooks of 2025 highlight the diversity of our food culture—from PEI seafood traditions to Vancouver plant-forward creations. Two Chefs in the Garden by Lynn Crawford & Lora Kirk – 150+ garden-inspired vegetarian dishes. Flavours of Prince Edward Island (New Edition) by Jeff McCourt, Austin Clement & Alan Williams – seafood, potatoes, and Island staples. Comfort Food with Spencer Watts by Spencer Watts – cozy classics for fall evenings. Arthurs: Home of the Nosh by Raegan Steinberg, Alexander Cohen & Evelyne Eng – Jewish comfort…
Air Canada Announces Finalists for 2025 Best New Restaurants in Canada Air Canada has revealed the finalists for its highly anticipated 2025 Best New Restaurants list, spotlighting 31 trailblazing establishments shaping Canada’s dining culture today. From St. John’s, Newfoundland to Victoria, BC, the finalists reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity driving the country’s vibrant culinary scene. Celebrating Culinary Talent Across Canada “Food connects us to our roots, our communities, and to one another. Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants celebrates the stories and flavours that define Canada’s diverse culinary scene,” said Andrew Shibata, Vice President, Brand at Air Canada. “Year after…
Butcher’s Garden Party Port Moody Join us on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Port Moody for an unforgettable evening of food, drink, and community spirit at A Butcher’s Garden Party. This exclusive fundraiser supports Butchery Team Canada as they prepare for the 2028 World Butchers’ Challenge. We’ll be pouring Sea Cider craft cider, both traditional and our non alcoholic bubbly delights, a reason alone to attend the Butcher’s Garden Party Port Moody. TICKETS About the Event What: A Butcher’s Garden Party When: Sunday, September 14, 2025 — 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Where: OpenRoad Toyota, 3166 St. Johns Street, Port…
The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) has announced the finalists for its prestigious 2025 awards across Cookbooks, Digital Media, Food Photography & Styling, and Food Writing. Winners will be revealed during the IACP Awards & Summit on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at The Venue at City Harvest, 171 53rd St, Brooklyn, NY. More on Cookbooks Partnerships & Special Funding The IACP Cookbook Awards continue their partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, awarding $5,000 to the recipient of the IACP Julia Child First Book Award to support the ongoing work of a first-time author.…
Lac Le Jeune Resort Kamloops A Hidden Gem Looking for the perfect lakeside escape in British Columbia? Lac Le Jeune Resort in Kamloops is where relaxation and natural beauty come together. Nestled on the serene shores of Lac Le Jeune Lake, this resort is ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and any outdoor adventurers seeking peace and rejuvenation. More Travels A Relaxing Lakeside Setting The charm of this Kamloop’s resort begins with its stunning location. The moment I drove in I felt at peace. Imagine waking up to calm waters, mountain air, and the gentle call of loons across the…
