Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Favourite Moments of EAT Vancouver 2015

So much fun went down in Vancouver last week, between dinners at restaurants in the city, with chefs from out of town coming in to feed us, and the massive crowds at BC Place... EAT Vancouver was definitely a success.

So much fun went down in Vancouver last week, between dinners at restaurants in the city, with chefs from out of town coming in to feed us, and the massive crowds at BC Place...EAT Vancouver was definitely a success.

I'm going to share some of the activities and meals I got a chance to be part of!

Calgary’s Charcut Roast House at Burdock and Co.:

april282015-mcavoy-0001

Chefs Connie DeSousa and Jessica Pelland joined forces with Andrea Carlson at her restaurant, Burdock and Co. for an amazing feast of a meal. Five courses paired with wine, filled the bellies of patrons lucky enough to experience Canada’s female chef powerhouses at work.

april282015-mcavoy-0006

Courses included the likes of SoleFood Radish, with Marrow Butter, Proscuitto & Sorrel (pictured below), Halibut with Cherry Blossoms, Pig Head Mortadella (pictured below), Charred Octopus, Smoked Duck with Asparagus Risotto, and Hazelnut Cake.

april282015-mcavoy-0008 april282015-mcavoy-0020

The Canadian Flavours Gala:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0008

The Canadian Flavours Gala took place on the Thursday at the Terminal City Club, and found rooms packed with people, wine, and of course, delicious food.

Chef's from restaurants right across Canada paired their dishes with wines from the Naramata Bench, and part of the proceeds from the event and auction went towards supporting the Ocean Wise program.

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0005

EAT Vancouver at BC Place:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0045

So many events happened under the dome at BC Place over the weekend, from seminars to cook-offs, here's a little taste below.

SIPS Stage:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0022

Talks and tastings on beer and wine were plentiful over the weekend, but there was also a special seminar with the master mixologist Dale Degroff, who taught us all a lesson about bitters and Manhattans! (And a bit of history too!)

Celebrity Chef Throwdown:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0023

Jackie Kai Ellis (from Beaucoup Bakery) vs Anna Olson (from the Food Network) vs Jonathan Chovancek (from Cafe Medina)!

The three chefs were tasked to create an entree in 20 mins (!!!) using only one burner (!!!) and they had to use the secret ingredient, which turned out to be goat cheese.

All three came up with beautiful looking dishes that the all star judging panel of Rob Feenie (Cactus Club), Sophie Lui (Global), Erin Ireland (To Die For Foods), and Carolyn Ali (Georgia Straight), had to decide between.

In the end, Anna Olson's halibut dish came in as the winner. It was a very exciting and entertaining challenge, and I'm still not sure how the chefs could think that fast. Cheers.

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0034

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0035

Talk & Taste Classes:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0038

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0042

I got to sit in during two of the Talk & Taste classes, the first with Chef Tim Bedford from the Ocean Wise program, and the second with Ned Bell of YEW Seafood & Bar. Both classes were filled with information about eating sustainably when it comes to seafood, and both chefs had some great tips on how to cook items like prawns and scallops!

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0076

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0078

Craft Beer Alley:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0046

The craft beer alley was packed in the afternoons with visitors sampling beers from all over BC. Especially nice were the new seasonal beers that really made you long for summer and sunshine. I definitely saw many happy faces strolling down the aisles.

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0048

PICA Culinary Classes:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0080

The Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts held workshops and classes throughout the festival, like the one I attended on knife skills.

It was great fun, and super useful to hear tips on how to improve in an area we use almost every day...cooking!

(Bonus, the veggies we chopped up ended up being blended into a wonderful gazpacho that we got to take home with us.)

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0083

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0084

Speed Rack Canada Finals:

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0052

Probably THE most exciting event of the weekend was the Speed Rack Canada finals. Female bartenders from across Canada competed in a timed competition, in heats, to create 4 cocktails as fast as possible for the judges. 100% of the proceeds went towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0050

We saw 4 rounds that set the stage for the semi finals, and then the closely matched end, with Veronica Saye of Toronto's "Food & Liquor" taking home the title.

I can honestly say this was an intense and emotional event to watch, and it could totally be a reality show (as long as there was a crowd that got to drink cocktails as well!). Congrats and well done to all the ladies!

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0066

EatVancouver2015-mcavoy-0074

Thanks to EAT Vancouver for a great week. I hope everyone got a chance to attend and eat and drink something awesome!