British Columbia

EAT! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival starts on Sunday

From a love of bacon to the future of fish, there's something for all foodies at the 13th annual EAT! Vancouver Food & Cooking Festival, starting Sunday, April 26.

Festival runs from April 26 to May 3 at BC Place and various restaurants around Vancouver

The 13th Annual Eat Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival runs from April 26 to May 3 and will feature a craft beer alley, celebrity chef throwdown and gelateria workshop. (GoToVan/Flickr)

The 13th annual EAT! Vancouver Food & Cooking Festival is back, running from Sunday, April 26 through Sunday, May 3, and this year, organizers say, will be its biggest ever.

Three days of events at BC Place will include cooking demonstrations and plenty of food to sample. Restaurants around town will also be holding top chef dinners and workshops on everything from "the love of bacon" to terrine making.

Meanwhile, a hospitality symposium will also see chefs, restaurant owners and food producers from across Canada debate sustainable seafood, the beef industry and what kind of fish and meat will be on menus in future.

On the Coast food columnist Anya Levykh shared a few of the highlights and offered up some suggestions of what you should check out during the festival.

Pastry Tasting and Panel Discussion

Renowned pastry chefs including Thomas Haas, Christophe Bonzon and Adam Chandler discuss the art and science of sweets and share their experiences from the kitchen.

If you've got a sweet tooth, this event is for you, as a tasting of each chef's signature pastry will be included. Space is limited to 40 seats, so act fast!

When: April 29
Where: Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel, 1133 W Hastings St, Vancouver

Try some delicious desserts at the EAT! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival Pastry Tasting and Panel Discussion. (eat-vancouver.com/)

Canadian Artisan Food Pavilion

As you are sampling your way through the festival at BC Place, why not try some offerings from a selection of local artisan producers? 

The pavilion promises nominal tasting fees in hopes visitors will discover locally-sourced products can be an "affordable luxury."

When: May 1-3
Where: BC Place, Vancouver

Speed Rack Canada National Finals

See the best female bartenders get mixological at the EAT! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival. (speed-rack.com)
A competition designed by female bartenders, for female bartenders. 

This is an inaugural event here in Canada, featuring the country's top female mixologists, with all proceeds supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation BC/Yukon chapter.

A ticket gets you admission to the festival, entrance to the event and complimentary cocktails!

When: May 2
Where: BC Place, Vancouver


To hear the full interview with On the Coast food columnist Anya Levykh, listen to the audio labelled EAT! Vancouver