All hail the mightiest shrimp in British Columbia! Fine, it's actually a prawn - the beloved B.C. spot prawn - at the centre of spring celebrations, and the popular annual Vancouver festival all about the seasonal crustacean is back for 2023.
The Spot Prawn Festival will take place Sunday, May 28 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 pm. at Fisherman’s Wharf by Granville Island in Vancouver.
First launched in 2006, the annual event is hosted by The Chefs’ Table Society of BC (CTS), Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association (PPFA) and Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) and acts as a fundraiser to support scholarships for culinary students, and to further education, mentorship, and sustainability initiatives.
Access to the festival area is free, which gives attendees the chance to head to the docks to buy fresh-from-the-water spot prawns directly from fishers, as well as to view cooking demos and take part in family-friendly activities.
The fest includes two delicious - and ticketed - tasting options - including a new twist on a classic. Though the fest usually dishes up chowder, this year they're doing prawn bisque, prepared by Organic Ocean.
Tickets for the bisque with a freshly baked bun are $10 a bowl (plus tax and service) and if you want, you can take it to go. Select a one-hour pick-up time-slot; there are four slots between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to choose from.
The other way to enjoy the fest - and feast - is to go all-in for the Spot Prawn Brunch, a "grazing-style" affair enjoyed at high-top tables featuring a tasting menu of six B.C. spot prawn dishes for $79. The brunch features six dishes showcasing the delectable spot prawn in different preparations as made by incredible local chefs, along with samples of beer and wine and a sweet treat. Brunch is 19+ only and is presented in two ticketed sessions, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The lineup of participating chefs will be announced soon.
The 2023 B.C. spot prawn season opens May 15 and the sweet, juicy gems are only around while stocks last - typically about 30 to 40 days.
B.C. Spot Prawn Festival
When: Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: False Creek Fishermen's Wharf - 1505 West 1st Ave, Vancouver
Cost: Admission is free. Bisque ($10) and brunch ($79) tickets available online
