Events

Toast Comox Valley!

Posted by cassandra on

fall_harvestToast Comox Valley celebrates ten days of culinary and rejuvenation-focused events, bringing the best of farm and sea to region’s tables

As many residents of Canada prepare to accept the impending cold winter months, Comox Valley residents and visitors will be sampling the bounty of another successful harvest during Toast Comox Valley, held Nov. 1 – 10, 2013.

Toast Comox Valley, with culinary and rejuvenation events including galas, seminars and cooking classes, celebrates the hard work of more than 450 producers throughout the region. Many of the region’s farmers and suppliers will be on hand to provide tours and tastings from both land and sea, paired with award-winning wines and beers.

“Toast Comox Valley offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to enjoy a cornucopia of culinary and rejuvenation events throughout our region,” says Edd Moyes, owner of the Blackfin Pub. “This event highlights the farm-to-table lifestyle that we celebrate in the region.”

Toast Comox Valley events include: 

  • Boys Night at the Distillery– Nov. 1 at Shelter Point Distillery: Soak in the atmosphere of the gentleman’s club within the distillery where visitors can sample single malt vodka and whisky with barbecued treats made by a private chef.
  • Off the Vine – Nov. 1 at Kingfisher Resort & Spa: This chef’s table with Philipe Gagne includes five courses and wine pairings.
  • Wine Festival – Nov. 2 at Crown Isle: Guests can enjoy wine, food and music from the Comox Valley and British Columbia.
  • Masquerade Ball – Nov. 2 at Native Sons Hall: Guests are invited to be swept away by the elegance of “The Sun, Moon & Stars” themed masquerade dinner, dance, show and auction. Don your tuxedos, suits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns and join us for this exquisite and whimsical fundraiser.
    • Comox Valley Farmers Market – Nov. 2 & 9. The Comox Valley Farmers Market will be open in its winter location (360 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC). One of the few markets in British Columbia to have only food or agricultural products and one of the only year-round farmers markets in Canada, the Saturday market will provide an opportunity to buy direct from farmers.
  • Wine Makers Dinner – Nov. 1, 6 & 8 at Coastal Black: Enjoy an exclusive Winemaker’s Dinner featuring Custom Gourmet’s creative culinary team at Coastal Black Estate Winery. This dinner includes five courses featuring regionally inspired dishes from the Pacific Northwest, paired with hand crafted wines and meads from the Coastal Black Estate Winery’s highly acclaimed, award-winning winery.
  • Island Gourmet Cooking Class and Dinner: When the Comox Valley meets the flavour of Turkey – Nov. 3 at Blue Moon Winery: Island Gourmet Trails, in collaboration with Blue Moon Winery, will offer a cooking class showcasing the secrets of the rich Turkish cuisine using some of the best products of the Comox Valley’s producers. Following the demonstration will be a sit down dinner and wine paring where guests will be able to meet the winemaker and visit the winery.
  • Under the Sea Community Dinner – Nov. 4 at Avenue: This four course offering provides a unique opportunity to experience Chef Aaron’s fresh take on the Comox Valley’s seafood bounty. With each course, BC and local wines will be available for purchase.
  • Wine Tasting Evening – Toast to BC Wines – Nov. 7. The Blackfin Pub presents a “Toast to BC Wines” that includes  a night of wine and delights benefiting the North Island College Tourism & Hospitality Bursary Program.
  • Locals and Lighthouse Brewery Specialty Dinner – Nov. 7 at Locals: Hosted by Locals and the Lighthouse Brewery this five course dinner with beer pairings showcases local food producers and Lighthouse Brewery specialty beers.
    • Harvest Long Table – Nov. 8 at the Best Western PLUS the Westerly Hotel: Celebrate bringing the community together.  Enjoy a harvest long table dinner served family style with wine tastings.
    • Seafood Sampler on Comox Harbour Charters– Nov. 8. Sample fresh seafood, including oysters, crab and salmon harvested from the Valley while cruising the sheltered waters of Comox on a heated tour boat.
  • Explore the fall flavours and colours of the Comox Valley – Nov. 9. This culinary tour with Island Gourmet Trails will open the doors of some of the best producers of the Comox Valley. The day starts with breakfast at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, followed by a visit of the country store at DKT Farm, a guided tour at the Shelter Point distillery, and a visit of Blue Moon winery. The day will conclude with a stop at Hot Chocolates and Cakebread bakery in Courtenay.
  • Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Fair – Nov. 8 – 10 at the Filberg Centre: This craft fair lets locals and visitors cross items off their holiday shopping lists in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, filled with the sights and smells of Christmas!
  • Blue Moon Feast: Sri Lankan Style – Nov. 9 at Blue Moon Winery: An authentic Sri Lankan dinner will be served at the big table, paired with award winning estate wines from Blue Moon Estate winery.
    • Martine’s and Beaufort Wine Makers Dinner – Nov. 10. Enjoy a specialty four course wine tasting and food pairing dinner at Martine’s Bistro. Beaufort Estate Winery will be on site showcasing their award-winning estate wines and teaching guests a behind the scenes mine makers experience.
  • Wine and Beer Seminars – Nov. 4 – 7 at Cascadia Liquor Store: Each wine and beer seminar will have a local theme producer showcasing and describing their products, and why they choose to serve and sell local.
  • Bubbles, Bling, & Bliss Girls Getaway – Nov. 1 – 2, 6 – 7, 8 – 9 at Old House Village Hotel and Spa: The Girls Getaway package includes a two night stay at the Old House Village Hotel and Spa, gourmet dinner, spa treatments, shopping and wine tastings, providing a luxurious and relaxing escape from the everyday.
  • Mystery Dinner Tours – Nov. 4 – 7. Ambassador Shuttle invites guests to join them on a tour various restaurants within the Comox Valley, all serving you a different course of your meal.
  • Weekend local food fest @ Union Street – Nov. 1 & 2 and 8 &9: Each weekend, Comox Valley food operators will gather on Union Street to provide platters of food harvested from the valley. On Fridays, visitors can explore the bounty of the sea with local seafood tapas and Beaufort wine flights. On Saturdays, BBQ ribs, chicken and fish platters will be served alongside Lighthouse Brewery draft beer.

In addition, Comox Valley hotels and resorts are offering Toast Getaways, starting at $80 Cdn per night, based on double occupancy. Participating properties include the Best Western PLUS, the Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites; Old House Village Hotel and Spa; Anco Motel; Cona Hostel; Travelodge Courtenay; and Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.

For more information, and to reserve Toast Getaways and inquire about festival tickets, visit www.toastcomoxvalley.com or call the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre at 1-855-400-2882.

About the Comox Valley

Located halfway up Vancouver Island’s east coast, the Comox Valley abounds with culinary bounty from land and sea. Coupled with arts, music and sporting events, and stunning alpine to ocean resorts and spas, the region is a place of supernatural beauty that offers rich culinary, cultural and outdoor experiences. For more information about accommodation, packages, events and transportation including BC Ferries, contact the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre at 1-855-400-2882 or visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com.