Growing Chefs’ annual From Farms to Forks fundraiser returns to Vancouver this Sunday, October 4, bringing together a formidable collection of chefs, restaurants, growers and beverage producers for a harvest-season kitchen party with a purpose.
The event takes place at A-OK Commissary in Aritzia’s head office at 611 Alexander Street, with doors at 5 p.m. Growing Chefs is aiming to raise $200,000 to help bring its edible-education programming to more children and families across the Lower Mainland.
A harvest-season party supporting food education for kids
Expect the kind of roaming, deeply local menu that makes this event one of the city’s most enjoyable food fundraisers. Among the early previews: a cocktail from Good Thief’s Paul Herbert made with Windset Farms produce; Dachi chef Jiwon Seo’s tartelette with bulgogi sausage and radicchio compote from Hannah Brook Farm; and a Uni Croque Madame from Greg Uyeda and Bev Tsang of Aiyaohno Café, made with Vancouver Island sea urchin from F.I.S.H.
Dessert will be equally tempting, including an oat custard tart with 24-hour apples and oat crumble by Claire Livia Lassam of Livia, paired with Cedar Isle Farm.
The chef roster also includes Elizabeth and Harry from Liberty Bakery + Café, Meeru Dhalwala and Shira McDermott of Lila and The Acorn, Amélie Nguyen of Anh and Chi and Good Thief, and Andrea Carlson of Burdock & Co., Harvest Community Foods and Bar Gobo. Carlson’s connection to Growing Chefs runs right back to 2005, when she helped pilot its first classroom program at Champlain Heights Elementary.
The evening is about more than a great bite and a good glass. Growing Chefs helps young people build confidence around growing, cooking and understanding food, connecting those lessons to culture, community and well-being.
I’ll be there pouring Sea Cider Pippins Sparkling Cider and Temperance Eden Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Cider. Tickets are nearly sold out; five- and 10-ticket packages are available at $200 per person.
From Farms to Forks—Presented by RBC
Sunday, October 4, 2026
A-OK Commissary at Aritzia Head Office, 611 Alexander Street, Vancouver
Doors at 5 p.m.; event begins at 5:30 p.m.
Find tickets and event details through Growing Chefs.
Disclosure: I work with Sea Cider, a beverage participant in this event.
