18 awesome Vancouver food events to check out in January

It's a new month and a new year, which means a fresh buffet of options when it comes to food and drink events in and around Metro Vancouver for the next few weeks. This month kicks off Vancouver's epic Dine Out festival, as well as features your first chances to have a celebrity chef-prepared meal inside a terrarium-inspired dome, and a three-night dinner that will transport you to Quebec's storied maple syrup cabins. Learn how to make vegan cheese or take a gelato-making course. Sip fine whiskies, or grab some beers and watch a classic flick. There's so much to taste and experience.

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 for January, or any other month, please send it to [email protected]. 

Sunday Beer Church

It’s church, but not like you think. West Craft, a supplier of specialty beverages, is set to launch a five-week Sunday-only residency, to support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, at East Vancouver’s Prototype Coffee. The event, aptly named Sunday Service, will kick off on Jan. 5 and run every Sunday until Feb. 2, offering a selection of hard to find beers to try, all for a good cause, of course.

When: Jan. 5-Feb. 2, 2020 from noon-8 p.m.

Where: Prototype Coffee - 883 E Hastings St, Vancouver

Sunday Night Movie Series at Bells and Whistles

The Fraserhood hangout and beer hall continues to give cinephiles a front-row seat to classic flicks every Sunday night at 9 p.m. during its Sunday Night Movie Series, which continues in the new year with screenings of The Hangover (Jan. 5), Galaxy Quest (Jan. 12), The Naked Gun (Jan. 19) and This is Spinal Tap (Jan. 26). During each screening, guests can also take advantage of late happy hour specials from 10 p.m. to close that include $7 Negronis or glasses of Bench 1775 Pinot Gris or Lock & Worth Merlot and $5.50 draught beer, $5 classic hot dogs and $7 chili cheese dogs and Chicago dogs.

When: Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26 at 9 p.m.

Where: Bells and Whistles - 3296 Fraser St., Vancouver

Gelato 101 classes at Uno Gelato

The secrets of gelato-making can be easily uncovered at a new series of classes being offered by a Vancouver scoop shop. Uno Gelato launched their 'Gelato 101' workshop this fall as a fun way to get people in their Kitsilano flagship location during the cooler months. Offered weekly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Gelato 101 is a 90-minute hands-on course that will find you working alongside Uno's gelato masters in their kitchen putting together one gelato and one sorbetto. Plus you'll taste an array of flavours from their menu.

When: Wednesday and Thursday nights though March 2020 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Uno Gelato - 2579 W Broadway, Vancouver

Cost: $50 plus tax. Reserve online by emailing [email protected]

Gluten-Free Expo Vancouver

Canada's largest gluten-free expo and event hits the west coast this month, featuring exhibitors, vendors, panel talks, workshops, and more. Sample, shop, and save on hundreds of gluten free products while learning from leading experts, including things like pizza, beer, and breads. 

When: Jan. 11-12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East

Cost: $12-39; purchase online

Wildebeest X The Acorn ‘Roots to Shoots’ Winter Harvest Dinner

Two chefs with one shared culinary philosophy will join forces when Wildebeest Chef Ian McHale shares the line with The Acorn Chef Devon Latte for an all-vegetarian ‘Roots to Shoots’ Winter Harvest Dinner at Wildebeest.The evening will see McHale and Latte prepare a creative, multi-course vegetarian feast that spotlights both chefs’ dedication to showcasing sustainably sourced, seasonal ingredients and local providers in dishes that include black turtle bean & carrot terrine, mushroom tartare, harukei turnips and potato & alliums. Vegan option available.

When: Mon., Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.

Where: Wildebeest - 120 W Hastings St, Vancouver

Cost: $69 per person plus tax and gratuity; purchase online

Noodle Mania 7

This 7th annual noodle tasting extravaganza is presented by Vancouver Foodster and Tasting Plates. Each restaurant will be serving up Tasting Bowls or Plates for guests to enjoy and you will have a chance to visit many different types of restaurants throughout the event, meet some new food loving friends, meet the chefs, and learn about each of the participating restaurants. Get a taste of all sorts of noodles from chow mein to spaghetti to pho, pad thai, ramen and more.

When: Weds. Jan. 15 from 6-10 p.m.

Where: Begin at Silk Road Tea - 2066 West 4th Ave, Vancouver

Cost: $36-60; purchase online

Dinner With a View - Vancouver

Dine inside a terrarium-inspired dome in an outdoor setting at this unique dinner experience. Your view is the elegant waterfront vista of Ambleside in West Vancouver. Highly acclaimed Chef Paul Moran has been officially announced as the pop-up restaurant’s Head Chef, set to prepare a delicious three-course blind menu, with meat, fish or vegan options. Book your dome for four to six guests, then select your dinner options (two tiers of costs).

When: Jan. 15-Feb. 16, 2020

Where: Ambleside Beach - 1200 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver

Cost: Domes are $99-$199 each, dinner is $109 per person (plus taxes, fees, etc). Reserve online.

Dine Out Vancouver 2020

DOV is that glorious time of year when restaurants offer special fixed-price menus and other festival features aimed at keeping things humming after the big holiday rush. In 2019 over 300 restaurants participated in Dine Out Vancouver's special menu offerings, and that number is likely to be around the same for 2020. Additionally, Dine Out Vancouver puts on several days of food and drink programming of all kinds to keep the city buzzing about our incredible culinary scene - think long-table dinners, exciting appearances by visiting chefs, brunches, beer and wine events, a food truck fest, and so much more.

When: Jan. 17-Feb. 2, 2020

Where: Various locations across Metro Vancouver

Mensch. Jewish Delicatessen Pop-Up

Mensch. Jewish Delicatessen brings to Vancouver a legit, slow brined, smoked and hand cut New York style hot pastrami sandwich, a process that involves 10 days of brining, 8 hours of smoking and 4 hours of steaming.  Finally, it is hand-sliced for customers and piled high on fresh rye bread with mustard and homemade pickle on the side. At this third installment in a current run of pop-ups, Mensch will also offer their signature Beet cured Lox, served with house made Labneh cheese on a fresh poppy seed bagel and blintzes for desert. Beer from Brassneck Brewery, wine and pop will be available. They'll be slicing until they run out.

When: Sun. Jan. 19 from 6 p.m. until they run out

Where: Kafka's Coffee - 577 Great Northen Way, Vancouver

Cabane a Sucre at St. Lawrence Restaurant

One of the country’s most-beloved restaurants will transport guests on a culinary adventure to Québec when St. Lawrence hosts a trio of exclusive ‘Cabane à Sucre’ dinners this month. The dinner series will allow celebrated Chef/Owner (and 2019 Vancouver Magazine Chef of the Year) J-C Poirier to pay homage to his Québécois heritage and an annual tradition in la belle province, when families flock to maple forests to enjoy rustic, homespun habitant meals at the ’sugar shacks’ where sap is boiled and turned into prized syrup. 

When: Jan. 19, 20, 21 with seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

Where: St. Lawrence - 269 Powell St, Vancouver

Cost: $125 per person plus tax and gratuity; purchase online

Bar Gobo + Curious Oyster pop-up at Burdock & Co. 

Burdock & Co is raising the bar with Bar Gobo, a pop-up dinner series on select Monday nights featuring sustainable themed fare. This Bar Gobo pop-up features Curious Oyster and dishes made by Chef Andrea and her talented kitchen team. The farm-to-table fare will dazzle guests with organic and ethically sourced local ingredients. Perfect for weekend catch-ups and post-work happy hour. Set the rest of the week right with flavourful fare and drinks at Bar Gobo. Walk-ins only.

When: Mon., Jan. 20 from 8 p.m. until late

Where: Burdock & Co - 2702 Main St, Vancouver

Vegan Cheesemaking with Karen McAthy

Join Chef Karen McAthy, founder of Blue Heron, and author of The Art of Plant-based Cheesemaking in learning how to make cultured, fresh, vegan cheese. This four class course (held over four days), is homework driven, focused on getting students to make their own vegan cheeses from growing cultures to easy aging techniques. Bring a notebook, this is for serious students. 

When: Mon., Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3 and 10 from 5-9 p.m.

Where: Il Centro, Italian Cultural Centre - 3075 Slocan St, Vancouver

Cost: $200 for the four-class session

Hip Hop Trivia Night at Juke Fried Chicken

Whether you’re a Biggie or a Tupac fan, all Eyez are on Juke Fried Chicken hosts Hip Hop Trivia Night on the third Tuesday of every month. Teams of up to six are invited to take part in five rounds of questions on all things Hova, Dre and Wu-Tang with food and drink specials and prizes up for grabs. Sign up as an individual or a team of up to six via email ([email protected]), Instagram (@jukefriedchicken) or Facebook (/jukefriedchicken) to guarantee a spot. Walk-ins are also welcome.

When: Tues., Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.

Where: Juke Fried Chicken -  182 Keefer St., Vancouver

Signature Pig Roast Dinner at The Flying Pig

As part of the annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival, the chefs at The Flying Pig Olympic Village have put together a dinner you won't soon forget - a Signature Pig Roast Dinner. Start your meal with Cauliflower Velouté (Crispy Pancetta, Chives and Parmesan Cheese) and a Roasted Squash & Organic Kale Salad, followed by Gelderman Farms 16 Hour “slow and low” Roasted Whole Pig served alongside TFP Signature slaw, dried cranberry and pumpkin seeds, Baked Truffle Jumbo Macaroni, Candied Heirloom Carrots, and Grilled Garlic Ciabatta. Finish your evening over a selection of seasonal desserts, coffee, and tea. 

When: Weds., Jan. 22 from 7-10 p.m.

Where: The Flying Pig (Olympic Village location) - 127 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver

Cost: $76.89 (including tax, tip, and fees); purchase online

The Dalmore Chinese New Year Dinner at Origo Club

Origo Club will pay early homage to two big celebrations in January — Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year — when it hosts The Dalmore Chinese New Year Dinner at the Richmond dining destination. The evening will feature special guest and The Dalmore Ambassador Louis-Jérôme Doise and a six-course Scotch pairing dinner prepared by Chef David Pan to mark The Year of the Rat and the upcoming birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns. The exciting event will also includes a taste of the prized The Dalmore 25 Year Old.

When:  Thu., Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m

Where: Origo Club - 6888 River Rd #110, Richmond

Cost:  $220 inclusive of taxes and gratuity; purchase online

Burns' Supper at Dogwood Brewing

Join the crew at Dogwood Brewing for a celebration of Robbie Burns with haggis, 'neeps and tatties, and - of course! - plenty of beer.

When: Sat. Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

Where: Dogwood Brewing - 8284 Sherbrooke St, Vancouver

Punch Brunch

Vancouver Cocktail Week will take place in March 2021, and it promises to be the city's biggest and best cocktail festival to date. To give imbibers a preview of all the delicious tipples to come, Vancouver Cocktail Week is hosting a preview event during Dine Out Vancouver. The Punch Brunch is a boozy brunch that will bring together some of the city's top bartenders with delicious food at the award-winning Botanist restaurant. The event will feature exceptional punch-style cocktails will be paired with a four-course, sit-down feast of executive chef Hector Laguna's finely crafted gourmet brunch fare. Plus, during Punch Brunch, guests can enjoy lively cocktail demonstrations from the bartenders and live jazz music to keep your toes tapping while your glasses are clinking.

When: Sun. Jan. 26 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: Botanist - 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver (Fairmont Pacific Rim)

Cost: $125 inclusive of taxes, gratuities & ticketing fees; tickets & information here

Whisky Global 2020

Whisky Global is the West Coast's biggest whisky tasting event. Super premium, for the true whisky connoisseur. Tour the floor, enjoy the whiskies and learn about what makes them so special. Whisky Global offers a premium tasting landscape where Vancouver’s most dedicated connoisseurs can come together to discuss and sample one of their true loves: whisky. 

When: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Where: Rocky Mountaineer's "The Station" - Vancouver

Cost: $119-175; purchase online

Have a food event you'd like to see listed on V.I.A.? Send your info and tips to [email protected]