Year of the Snake Haywire’s Lunar Red Wine Don’t miss your chance to grab a bottle and celebrate with Haywire’s Lunar Red, is a limited-edition wine crafted to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. Haywire became the first winery in British Columbia to introduce a Lunar New Year wine in 2014 and this year a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to revitalizing Vancouver’s iconic Chinatown and fostering a resilient, sustainable community through projects focused on affordable housing, cultural preservation, and economic development. Specially…
Author: cassandra
Bocuse d’Or Team Canada Brings Canada in the Limelight of Gastrotourists from Around the World After winning silver and their golden ticket to the most prestigious yet challenging competition on Earth, in France today, our national culinary athlete Keith Pears and his commis, Joseph Mongillo, placed 10th on the world stage, moving Canada up one place from the 11th position in 2023 and 13th in 2019. Proud of their accomplishments, Chef Keith Pears fought his way through the five-and-a-half-hour culinary battle featuring venison, foie gras, and tea – mandatory ingredients that paid an homage to the late Paul Bocuse. This 20th…
Chef Lineup Revealed for the 2025 Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala The Chinese Restaurant Awards is proud to once again partner with St. Paul’s Foundation for the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Charity Gala, taking place on February 22, 2025, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. A star-studded lineup of five award-winning and emerging chefs will headline the gala, offering a memorable culinary experience to inspire philanthropy. Proceeds will support St. Paul’s Foundation’s work to drive medical innovation, improve the quality of care for patients and residents, and cultivate research breakthroughs with a global impact. Since its inception in 2008,…
Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar Elevates Apres Dining Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar, a jewel at the centre of Whistler’s culinary crown, is ushering in the winter season with tantalizing new menu offerings that blend exceptional craftsmanship with luxurious indulgence. This season’s additions are designed to captivate the palate of discerning diners and elevate après experiences in one of Whistler’s most celebrated settings. Après, Redefined Unwind in the sophisticated ambiance of Wild Blue’s Bar and Lounge, where the art of après is elevated. Indulge in small bites such as the classic Cheese Fondue, freshly shucked Oysters, and the fan-favourite Braised…
Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter Scholarships for Women Open Until Februaty 12 Women interested in furthering their careers in the culinary, beverage, agriculture, aquaculture and other hospitality fields and encouraged to apply for Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarships. Founded in 1992, Les Dames d’Escoffier’s BC Chapter has awarded scholarships for over 30 years to support women who wish to further their careers through educational opportunities. LDBC has up to $30,000 to award in 2025 including tuition support sponsored by the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Cacao Barry/Chocolate Academy, Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver, Snowcap Fund, Karen…
Hot Chocolate Festival Celebrates 15 Years of Decadence When it was conceived in 2010, the Hot Chocolate Festival was the first and only city-wide initiative of its kind in the world. Many have copied the festival, but no city did it better than Metro Vancouver, and now it’s expanded to 10 different regions in BC. Starting January 18th visit the best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, gelato and ice cream makers who are all coming together to make the humble hot chocolate hotter than it has ever been before. The Hot Chocolate Festivals motto is: “Chocolate Makes You Happy!” Hot…
Heritage Partners with Chef Will Lew and MAMAintheKitchen to Host Lunar New Year Dinner Ring in the Year of the Snake with an exclusive dining experience that honours the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year while supporting a vital local cause. On Sunday, January 19, and Monday, January 20, Heritage Restaurant and Bar will host two fundraising dinners with celebrated chefs Will Lew of Pacific Reach and Sharon Chan of MAMAintheKitchen, along with a group of local suppliers and sponsors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. The Year of the Snake, associated with wisdom,…
Culinary Trends for 2025 – US Chefs Weigh In I often get press releases worthy of a read, even if they’re not about something local. I thought I’d share this one on Culinary Trends for 2025 from Brustman Carrino Public Relations that I found interesting. Eileen Andrade, Executive Chef/ Owner of Amelia’s 1931, Finka Table & Tap “I believe we are going heavy on the Italian in 2025. The New York transplant restaurants have been bringing more Italian flavours, which Miami likes. We just added some fresh homemade pasta to Amelia’s menu and we are getting great feedback. I think,…
Dine Out Vancouver Festival List of Participating Restaurants Unveiled IN THE NEWS – Dine Out Vancouver Festival attracts local and international culinary enthusiasts with a delicious lineup of special menus from local chefs, a tasty schedule of culinary events and exclusive hotel offers to complete your festival experience. One of Canada’s largest food and drink celebrations returns from January 22 to February 9, 2025 and the complete list of restaurants and their menus are available on dineoutvancouver.com. This season features the largest number of participating restaurants to date, with more than 425 venues taking part and showcasing delectable multi-course meals within…
Fresh Ideas Start Here (FISH), Top Chef Canada’s Dez Lo, and Friends Host Congee Bar Congee lovers rejoice! Fresh Ideas Start Here (FISH), BC’s sustainable seafood purveyor, and Top Chef Canada season 10 runner-up Dez Lo are bringing back their congee pop-up, The Chefs and The Fishmonger, on Monday, January 27, 2025, at The Pleasant (2434 Main Street). Joined by chefs Welbert Choi and Bo Li, and featuring seafood such as West Coast wild scallops, halibut, geoduck, and artisanal sauce brand Holy Duck Chili oil, tickets are available now online. “We had such an amazing reception during our first congee…
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Beaucoup Bakery’s Lunar New Year Collection In celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, Beaucoup Bakery is launching a special Year of the Snake Collection, featuring a new line-up of limited-edition pastries, chocolate bonbons, cookies, cakes, and collaborations with Chinatown BBQ and Holy Duck Chili Oil. Guests can find select items available at both Beaucoup Bakery locations starting January 20, 2025. Cakes are available for pre-orders now for pick-up starting January 25, 2025. “The Year of the Snake is known to symbolize good luck, transformation, and charm,” says Betty Hung, who co-owns Beaucoup…
Reservations are Now Open for Canada’s First Gordon Ramsay Steak at River Rock Casino Resort Great Canadian Entertainment, Canada’s leader in gaming and hospitality, announced that reservations for the highly anticipated Gordon Ramsay Steak at River Rock Casino Resort are now open. This exciting partnership with Gordon Ramsay North America follows the launch of Gordon Ramsay Burger at Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in December 2023. Gordon Ramsay Steak delivers an elevated steakhouse experience infused with the dynamic multiple Michelin-starred chef and television personality’s unmistakable culinary flair. Diners will enjoy a menu that combines Chef Ramsay’s iconic signature dishes, such as…
Chef Cheryl Chang’s Nourish Kitchen’s Lunar New Year Kit Celebrates Year of the Snake Celebrate Lunar New Year with Nourish Kitchen’s Lunar New Year Kits and save yourself the trouble of running around town to pick up all the ingredients for this celebratory meal. Nourish Kitchen’s Chef Cheryl Chang is a self-taught chef with roots in Taiwan, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver. Nourish Kitchen, her latest project, will provide prepared meal delivery, culinary workshops, and private catering. “Cooking and sharing meals have always been about connection and Nourish Kitchen was born from a desire to offer inclusive, conscious eating—healthy, fresh,…
Jay Nok Modern Thai Celebrates Thailand’s Street Food Culture The closure of SalaThai earlier this year marked the end of an era in Vancouver’s culinary landscape. For nearly 40 years, co-founders Sam and Joy Kongsilp shared their passion for authentic Thai cuisine, delighting generations of diners. The Kongslip family is proud to announce the opening of Jay Nok Modern Thai, a new restaurant honouring SalaThai’s legacy and forging an entirely new path. Located at 127 W 2nd Avenue in Olympic Village, Jay Nok is preparing to welcome guests in early 2025. More Restaurant News Jay Nok’s opening will come just…
Taste the Wine World at the 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival The 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival is proud to welcome 122 wineries representing 15 countries to the 46th annual festival, which takes place February 22-March 2, 2025. This end-of-winter celebration of the grape features the Wines of the USA, with an exciting West Coast showing from our American friends, complemented by BC wineries and global brands. Participating wineries will pour ~1,000 wines at 44 events over eight days; highlights include themed winery dinners at top Vancouver restaurants, seminars, lunches, minglers, and the International Festival Tastings at the West building of the Vancouver…
Sip Some of British Columbia’s Best Red Wines to End or Start the Year Whether you’re thinking about a nice prime rib dinner, grilled lamb chop dinner, or just cozying up by the fire, a glass of one of British Columbia’s Best Red Wines might be just what you need. Why not lean in and support your BC Wine Growers and Vintners and put a bottle of BC Wine on the table? We have a few heavy hitters and some that pack less of a punch for you to close out or begin the new year. Cedar Creek Meritage 2021 $30…
Elem Restaurant and Cocktail Lab Features Creative Flavour-Packed Dishes and Inspired Cocktails ELEM, the highly anticipated new restaurant and cocktail lab by chef Vish Mayekar and Zarak’s Hassib Sarwari and Winnie Sun, is now open. The restaurant features Top Chef Canada alum Mayekar’s creative flavour-packed dishes with local ingredients that highlight the unique spices from cuisines around the world, alongside Sun’s inventive, element-inspired, and sustainability-driven cocktails. Reservations are available online. The 2,946 square foot, 76-seat space was designed by Vancouver-based Simcic + Uhrich Architect and features three dining spaces and an open window into the kitchen to see the chefs at…
During Dine Out Vancouver Experience Como Taperia’s Taste Our Travels Dining Series Mount Pleasant’s award-winning Spanish tapas bar is back with the third edition of its beloved Taste Our Travels dining series. The popular tasting-style menu at Como Taperia features dishes inspired by the team’s recent trip to the Basque region and Cantabria in Spain. Available from January 22 to February 9, 2025, as part of Dine Out Vancouver’s Tasty Events program, guests can experience a special seven-course menu for two by executive chef Rafael Racela – all inspired by the team’s recent visit through Spain’s Basque region and Cantabria.…
Books Focusing on Cookies, Tips on Creating the Best Parties and Charts on Herbs and Spices Are Among the Reasons These Books Made the List of The Best Cookbooks of 2024 To write a list of “Best Cookbooks of 2024” is a task that should ideally involve reading every cookbook put out in 2024, an almost impossible feat, but I did my best to pour through a selection of titles. I was drawn to books whose pages were full of something a bit different from the rest of the stack. Perhaps they have a unique approach to planning meals or…
On Saturday, November 16, 2024 118 guests gathered at the historic Freemasons Hall in New Westminster for Dan’s Legacy’s 11th Annual Chefs’ Charity Dinner, presented by the BCGEU. The result? Dan’s Legacy Raises $77K for At-Risk Youth at Charity Dinner an elegant evening supporting Dan’s Legacy’s trauma-informed, no-barrier counselling programs and its “Build a Kitchen” campaign. TICKETS FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2025 Hosted by celebrity MC Erin Cebula, the dinner showcased a remarkable lineup of local culinary talent, including Chef Shay Kelly (LACH & KEA Culinary Consultants), Chef Andrew Brazeau-George (Ono Collectives), Pastry Chef Alannah Peddie (Frolic & Forage Catering +…
