A new women-led culinary festival is coming to Vancouver next month with 30 participating restaurants and chefs, some of whom are Michelin star-winning and recommended.
FEAST! will run from April 11 to 15 with tastings, classes, and unique dinners bringing together some of Canada's top culinary minds.
Tickets are on sale now (sales will benefit the BC Cancer Foundation) for five different collaborative dinners, four masterclasses, and a pair of spirit-forward tasting events on Granville Island, all over the course of one jam-packed week.
Whether you're hoping to brush up on your pastry skills or learn how to make amazing seafood at home, the FEAST! Expert Classes are a great opportunity to hear from the masters, ask questions, and even imbibe while you work.
If you're more inclined to indulge in a full meal rather than getting involved in the prep, the FEAST! Collaborative Dinners feature cross-country mashups of the industry’s top culinary talents.
That list includes Vancouver's Hawksworth joining forces with Toronto’s upcoming restaurant The Vale, while the Michelin star-winning restaurant Published on Main has a dinner with Winnipeg’s Deer + Almond.
"Our goal with FEAST! Vancouver is to celebrate the wonderful diverse talents our city has to offer, all in one place," says the festival organizers in a press release. "We believe that the universal love language of food is a powerful way to bring our communities closer together."
Check out the festival lineup below.
Cadeaux Kitchen Party
It's not every day you get to learn the ins and outs of pastry cream, Swiss meringue, lemon curd and the secret to a perfectly layered cake with a cocktail in hand.
Guests are told to expect a kitchen party atmosphere with music and snacks during this pastry class. The level of involvement during demonstrations is up to the individual. People can get their hands as dirty as they want but regardless, everyone goes home with a piece of cake.
When: April 11, 6:45 p.m.
Where: Cadeaux Bakery, 172 Powell St.
Tickets: From $110, on sale now
Home Hacks for Seafood
Vancouver Fish Company Executive Chef Matthew Blais and guest Chef Quang Dang (Joe Fortes and Araxi) don't want anyone to feel nervous preparing seafood at home. The pair will be teaching attendees quick and clever tricks to help elevate and simplify your seafood cooking from shucking oysters to perfectly preparing fish.
Tickets include a glass of bubbles along with all food items.
When: April 11, 6 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Fish Co., Granville Island
Tickets: From $85, on sale now
How to Master the Poke Bowl
Poke bowls have deviated from the traditional Hawaiian roots of freshly caught seafood, salt, seaweed, and kukui nuts. As the dish has grown in popularity, ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, and other toppings have been added.
This poke and sake pairing class in partnership with Seven Seas Fish Market and Artisan SakeMaker on Granville Island will explore the best way to make your own poke bowl and how to find the perfect complementary sip.
When: April 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Seven Seas Fish Market, 2328 West 4th Ave.
Tickets: From $120, on sale now
Specialty tea and food pairing workshop with Bon Moment x TeaKan
Did you know that tea has sommeliers, just like wine? HAC-certified Tea Sommelier Claudia Tse of Vancouver's TeaKan is joining forces with Red Seal Chef Kevin Ao of Bon Moment to introduce the epicurean potential of food and tea pairings.
The class will pair six hors d'oeuvres with single-origin specialty teas and explore the concept behind the food creation and the tea's provenance.
When: April 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Suite Genius, 225 W 8th Ave.
Tickets: $85, on sale now
Maxine’s hosts Ned Bell of Naramatta & Justin Leboe of Banff
Chef Ned Bell, formerly of the Yew at the late Four Seasons Hotel, has spent the last few years restoring the historic Naramata Inn to an ultimate food destination in the small Okanagan community.
The B.C. legend is making the trek back down to Vancouver to team up with Executive Chef Bobby Milheron of Maxine’s Café & Bar and Banff’s Justin Leboe for an evening of family-style food that celebrates fresh seasonal ingredients of the Pacific Northwest.
When: April 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Maxine’s Cafe and Bar, 1325 Burrard Street
Tickets: $125, on sale now
Hawksworth hosts Jonathan Gushue of Toronto
Toronto’s Chef Jonathan Gushue will be opening a “French Country House” restaurant known as The Vale in the heart of Grey Highlands in Ontario this spring, but before that, Gushue will be in Vancouver with Chef David Hawksworth to host a dinner at his eponymous restaurant.
The family-style seated dinner will be an ingredient-led exploration of contemporary cuisine firmly that takes its cues from the classics with bold, bright flavours.
When: April 12, 5:30 p.m. with multiple seatings
Where: Hawksworth Restaurant, 801 W Georgia St
Tickets: $135, on sale now
Published hosts Mandel Hitzer of Winnipeg
Fresh off a string of big wins, having nabbed the number one spot on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants list (2022) and a prestigious Michelin star, Published on Main’s Chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson is welcoming Winnipeg’s Mandel Hitzer to his kitchen. The two powerhouse chefs are promising a culinary journey to all in attendance.
When: April 13, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Published on Main, 3593 Main St.
Tickets: $360, on sale now
The Acorn hosts Francesco Spinelli of Toronto
Michelin Guide Recommended plant-based restaurant The Acorn is collaborating with a similar Toronto concept, Gia. Shira Blustein, Devon Latte, and Francesco Spinelli respectively will be preparing a creative Italian-inspired menu that focuses on elevating local plant-based ingredients in a family-style meal. Note: people may be seated at the bar.
When: April 13, 5:30 p.m., with multiple seatings
Where: The Acorn, 3995 Main St
Tickets: $125, on sale now
Vancouver Fish Company hosts Chef Quang Dang
In addition to their seafood class, Chefs Matthew Blais and Quang Dang have put together an evening of farm-to-table cooking dedicated to sustainable seafood cuisine. They will also be sharing their extensive knowledge of ingredients as they serve up a family-style meal.
When: April 13, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Fish Co., 1517 Anderson St.
Tickets: $175, on sale now
FEAST! Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Show
Canned cocktails are having a moment and this event spotlights the very best of ready-to-drink boozy beverages under one roof. Guests can sample the drinks at this festival-style tasting, or purchase from the canned cocktail bar for a full-size drink.
When: April 14, 8 - 10 p.m. (Early access 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Performance Works, Granville Island, 1218 Cartwright St.
Tickets: $55, on sale now
FEAST! Tasting
The FEAST! Tasting is expected to be the signature event of the inaugural festival. Wines, ciders, and cocktails, will be served with canapes by all of the festival's participating chefs, each representing their distinct style of cuisine, followed by desserts.
When: April 15, 8 - 10 p.m. (Early access 7:30 p.m.)
Where: Performance Works, Granville Island, 1218 Cartwright St.
Tickets: $95+, on sale now
