It's February and things are really getting cooking in and around Vancouver. Time to tempt your tastebuds with heaps of tantalizing eats, virtual events, and irresistible specials, from a month-long celebration of seafood chowder to the over 350 restaurants offering special menus for the annual Dine Out Vancouver fest.
Of course, large gatherings are still not on the menu, so when we say "food events" right now, they aren't all in the traditional sense. These are not big get-togethers that will find you in crowds and bumping elbows with strangers, or mingling with a few dozen folks. We're talking organized, physically-distanced, COVID-conscious revamped events, as well as food specials and promos going down across the city this month.
If you like to make food and drink the focal point of fun, here are 14 (and counting!) delicious food events and specials happening in and around Vancouver this February.
Check back during the month to see what events we’ve added to the delicious line-up.
If you have a tip for a food or drink event or special for February 2021 or any other month, please send it to [email protected].
Bobasaur x Secret Sauce bubble tea kits fundraiser
Roasted Milk Tea DIY bubble tea kit from Bobasaur. Photo via Bobasaur/FacebookBobasaur is a new Pokemon-inspired enterprise focused on home delivery bubble tea kits, and they've teamed up with local entrepreneur, foodie, and ambitious fundraiser Wilson K Lee to help get people facing food insecurity their next meals. Lee is currently donating all of the advertising revenue from his web series Secret Sauce in order to get over 10,000 people fed with the help of Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, and has so far raised enough for 4,500 meals.
Now Bobasaur is on board and will donate all proceeds from its bubble tea kits sold January 19 through February 2 - which means you still have plenty of time to order up one yourself. The kits contain everything you will need to enjoy five servings of bubble tea: Roasted Milk tea sachets, tapioca pearls, cream (powder), sugar, a mason jar and compostable bubble tea straws. Bobasaur takes orders online and offers delivery across Metro Vancouver at incremental price points.
When: Through Feb. 2, 2021
Where: Purchase online for delivery in Metro Vancouver
Shift Change: ‘Pause for Good Intentions: COVID-19 & The Work Toward Fair Restaurant Workplaces’
The next session of the Shift Change series will explore unfair workplace practices that are normalized within the industry and how they perpetuate systemic issues. Additionally, this session will explore benefits of creating a fair workplace, the work that is required, and how to move from good intentions to good impact. The featured speaker is Abdallah ‘Dallah’ El Chami, co-owner of the popular modern Middle Eastern restaurants known as ‘Superbaba’ and avid supporter of the food and beverage industry in B.C. Free tickets are available online.
When: Tuesday, February 16 at 3 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free tickets are available online.
National Chowder Chowdown Festival
Seafood Chowder is on the menu at Vancouver Fish Co. Photo via The Vancouver Fish Company/FacebookThis year, for the entire month of February, chowder fans can order up chowders from several Metro Vancouver restaurants and vendors for a variety of experiences to be enjoyed either at home or while dining in. Partial proceeds of each chowder sold during the National Chowder Chowdown Festival will be donated to the not-for-profit Ocean Wise Seafood program. The Vancouver-area offerings include a range of global influences and kinds of chowder experiences.
When: Feb. 1-28, 2021
Where: Participating Vancouver restaurants/vendors
BC Beer Con
BC Beer Con is returning virtually to a monitor near you this year. The BC Craft Brewers Conference brings together key stakeholders from the Canadian craft brewing industry for an annual networking and educational event. From February 3 to 5, brewery staff, brewing students and beer enthusiasts are invited to take part in various educational seminars and keynotes to gear up 2021. The three days are divided into half-day tracks, broken out into Brewing, Marketing & Sales, Operations and Finance. Keynote speakers for BC Beer Con include: "Brewing up a real change - a discussion about diversity, inclusion and equality" with Ren Navarro of Beer. Diversity and "The Path Forward for the Hospitality Industry from COVID-19" with Ian Tostenson, President and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
When: Feb. 3-5, 2021
Where: Online
Hot Chocolate Festival 2021
One of the 2021 concoctions available from Soirette, as part of Vancouver's annual Hot Chocolate Festival. . By Instagram, @meaghettiosThis month-long annual event is undoubtedly the sweetest way to count down to Valentine’s Day, with participating businesses all around town offering up with original cocoa concoctions and specials to please your sweet tooth. Fans of the warming, chocolatey bev can get their hands on the drinks of their choosing by simply visiting a participating location.
When: Through Feb. 14, 2021
Where: Participating Vancouver locations
La Poutine Week
Short Rib Poutine from Tap & Barrel is available from all three of the restaurant's locations. Photo courtesy La Poutine WeekThe premise is pretty simple: Eat poutine during La Poutine Week and go online and vote for your favourites. For 2021, the fest's ninth consecutive year, La Poutine Week is all about getting that decadent dish in your hot little hands via take-out or delivery (or, where permitted, for dine-in). So far this year there are 17 different poutines available from nearly 30 participating restaurant locations in the following cities: Vancouver; New Westminster; North Vancouver; Surrey, Coquitlam; Port Coquitlam; and Abbotsford.
When: Feb. 1-7, 2021
Where: Participating Metro Vancouver restaurants; available for delivery
Got Craft? Virtual Foodie Market
Got Craft? returns this month for its first Foodie Pop-Up Virtual Market of the year. The newest market will feature 35 Lower Mainland-based chefs, bakers, and makers creating small-batch food and drink including plant-based, gluten-free, and low sugar options. Choose from flat rate shipping and free Vancouver curbside pick up. Shop a curated selection of goods including chocolate, kombucha, coffee and teas, Asian style dumplings, baking mixes, lemon squares, nut butters, honey, jam, kimchi, and so much more! The upcoming event will also be welcoming 25% new vendors to our line up including Tempea Natural Foods, JJ Bakes Company, Kindred Cultures Water Kefir, Scratch Fine Foods, Hoochy ‘Booch Kombucha, and Nonno’s Pasta Shop, serving Vancouver’s first plant-based Italian pasta and sauce. Just in time for Valentine’s, the Got Craft Virtual Market is an amazing opportunity for the community to shop small and support local business while stocking up on delicious favourites and discovering new brands to try.
When: Feb. 4-7, 20201
Where: Online
Dine Out Vancouver
Among the dishes on the Dine Out Vancouver Menu at Capo and the Spritz in Yaletown is their vibrant Radicchio salad. Their three-course menu is just $35 and offers a terrific taste of the Italian restaurant. Photo via Capo and the Spritz/FacebookFor its 19th year, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival (DOVF) will put on its longest run ever. Spanning 31 days, from February 5 to March 7, 2021, DOVF will offer special menus from local chefs and socially distanced gastronomic experiences, all of which will adhere to any public health orders in place at the time to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the province. Participating dining establishments are serving up multi-course meals in price ranges from $15 to $54 and special promotional offers. Choose whether you want to dine in or do take-out, too.
When: Feb. 5- March 7, 2021
Where: Participating Metro Vancouver restaurants
Ampersand online cocktail class
Cowichan Valley's Ampersand is offering a special virtual cocktail making class. Photo courtesy AmpersandCowichan Valley's Ampersand craft distillery has teamed up with Vancouver's Lavish Liquid to create a virtual cocktail class that couples, friends, or any cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. During this class, Lavish Liquid’s expert bartending team will show participants how to make three Ampersand signature cocktails - Clarified Cosmo, Grapefruit Earl Grey Sour, and Hibiscus + Basil Spritz - with the help of an awesome cocktail kit. The Cocktail Kit includes admission to the Zoom event, tasting samples, and all the cocktail ingredients for 2 people. Cocktail Kits and equipment will be delivered on Friday, Feb. 11 between 11 a.m . and  5 p.m.
When: Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $125 per kit, purchase online
Dining for the Feast of Fortune
Heritage Asian Eatery in Vancouver is taking part in the Lunar New Year dining fundraiser Dining for the Feast of Fortune. Photo courtesy Chinese Restaurant AwardsA new dining event that will mark the Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to eat delicious food from some of Vancouver's top Asian restaurants while supporting a worthy cause. Called Dining for the Feast of Fortune, the new dining series comes from the team at the Chinese Restaurant Awards and is raising funds for the future of health care – new St. Paul’s at the Jim Pattison Medical Centre. Diners will find exclusive lunch and dinner menus at several local restaurants available for dine-in or take-out from Monday, February 8 through Sunday, February 21. Menus and more details are available online.
When: Feb. 8-21, 2021
Where: Participating restaurants
Special deals on V-Day treats from Hugo's Churros and The Praguery
In celebration of the Valentine’s Day and Family Day long weekend from February 12-15, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport has partnered with The Praguery and Hugo’s Churros, to offer sweet treats for you to enjoy with your special someone. The Praguery will be offering a limited-edition serve featuring freshly baked chimney cakes filled with in-house cherry flavour and topped with a vanilla soft serve and house-made cookies. As well, Hugo’s Churros will be offering delicious heart-shaped, red velvet churros. Both treats will be available throughout the weekend. The Praguery (dessert truck situated in front of the centre) will have a "Buy One, Get One 50% off" deal Friday through Monday; Hugo’s Churros (located across from Columbia Sportswear) will have a "Buy One Get One Free" deal Friday through Monday.
When: Feb. 12-15, 2021
Where: McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport, Richmond
National Pizza Day @ Pizzeria Farina
Heart-shaped pizza for pizza lovers. Photo via Pizzeria FarinaCelebrate National Pizza Day at one of Vancouver's favourite spots for the Italian classic and score a great bonus. Starting on National Pizza Day (February 9, 2021) until Valentine's Day (February 14), Pizzeria Farina will be offering two limited-edition and love-inspired pizzas: The Lombardia, Ti Amo (Bechamel Sauce, Braised Onions, Maple-roasted Butternut Squash, Mozzarella Cheese, Grana Padano Cheese and Lardo) and a Heart-shaped Margherita (Tomato Sauce, Fior di Latte, Olive Oil, Basil). To help you toast to the occasion, you can buy a bundle of Peroni with one or both of the Pizzeria Farina pizzas. This limited-edition offer will be available to Vancouverites to enjoy at home via Pizzeria Farina on Uber Eats and pickup.
When: Feb. 9-14, 2021
Where: Pizzeria Farina - 915 Main St, Vancouver
The Wellness Show - Online edition
The annual Wellness Show was due to take place this month at the Convention Centre but has since moved online. The online event will feature select exhibitors highlighting the latest in healthy living with a special focus on being healthy at home. Discover new approaches to nutrition, fitness, physical and emotional well-being as you tour the online stages and check out local exhibitors offering services and products for your wellbeing. Register online for access to seminars, virtual fitness classes, and celebrity cooking demos with recipes to follow, and more.
When: January 31 to February 14
Where: Online
Gelato 101 at UNO Gelato
These intimate classes are capped at six participants, and take place at Uno's Kitsilano shop. The super-fun sessions include a hands-on learning experience (yes, you will help make gelato and sorbetto on the spot!), a pint from the batches you helped make, a guided gelato tasting, and a cone or cup while you're there.
When: Thursdays at 7 p.m. from Oct. 1, 2020-Feb. 25, 2021
Where: Uno Gelato - 2579 W Broadway, Vancouver
Cost: $59 per person. Reserve online
