Alright, I might be a little late with this article but so is your gift buying if youre reading it.
Foodies are not easy to shop for. Some would be happy with a gift basket of locally made edibles, while others would say I have all these. Then you have the foodies that could make all of the gifts (perhaps even better) or challenge you with where to find a better version. The closer you are to the person youre shopping for, they more they want the whole package. The worst reaction after opening your gift would be its the thought that counts, so lets try to prevent that.
Here is my Holiday Gift Guide of hot ticket culinary events. Why events? Because tickets can be purchased online, and youre almost out of time.
Film Feast Jiro Dreams of Sushi + Dinner
Presented by Shangri-La Vancouver and Market by Jean-Georges, chef de cuisine Monty Lau will create an exclusive four-course dinner on January 22 as a featured Dine Out Vancouver event. Following a cocktail reception and screening of Jiro Dreams of Sushi in Shangri-las private Blue Moon theatre, chef Lau will prepare an ambitious Jiro-inspired dinner. One course is a Cedar Cold Smoked Kastu, Kasu Dressing, Crispy Rice and Soy Pearls. Tickets are $58 at DineOutVancouver.com
6 Course Discourse
Excuse my self-promotion, but Im very excited to announce my first event of 2014. I havent done one in years! On January 20 I am presenting 6 Course Discourse during the Dine Out Vancouver Festival. The culinary event features six of the citys top chefs including John Bishop, Scott Jaegar, Hamid Samilian, Vikram Vij, Owen Lightly, and Tina Fineza, speaking for 12 minutes each about their culinary topic of choice. A food and BC wine reception featuring 18 stations and restaurants is included. Tickets are $50 and available at TicketsTonight.ca.
elBulli Dinner
This is a big ticket purchase and gift literally and figuratively. You must love this person a lot. Widely considered one of the worlds greatest and best chefs, Ferran Adrià will be coming to Vancouver on March 8 to cook with executive chef Sean Cousins of Vancouver Club. Tickets for the dinner are sold out but for $700 you can still get a ticket for the lecture, champagne reception and a signed copy of Adriàs seven-volume set of books elBulli 2005-2011: A Journey Inside the Creative Process of the Worlds Greatest Chef. You can also pre-order signed book sets for $625 at Barbara-Jos Books to Cooks,
Beta-5 Chocolates
Okay Im cheating here because its not an event, but it needs a shout out. I visited about eight bakeries, chocolate and dessert shops this holiday and owner and chocolatier Adam Chandler had one of the most impressive holiday collections. Beta-5 Chocolates is a fantastic one-stop shop for gift giving or holiday entertaining. Hes a modern day chocolatier who dominated the 2013 Canadian National Chocolate Awards. His Black Olive Polygon Bar (awarded gold) and signature holiday chocolates (mandarin caramel, candied chestnut, sparkling praline, sweet potato caramel, Hennessey cognac and vanilla 12pc - $25) are as unique as they are memorable. Shipping is available across Canada.And dont miss out on his cream puffs!
Mijunes next Follow Me Foodie adventure: Attending the Consulate General of Japans Emperors Birthday Reception on Dec. 17 where they will introduce the formation of The Sake Association of British Columbia. Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter @followmefoodie.
