In addition to checking out a myriad of vendors, foodies can also pick up tips from celebrity chefs from around the country.
According to Alan Fogel, Vancouverites are spoiled rotten – at least when it comes to our culinary scene.
The Toronto-based event VP, who took over the Eat! Vancouver Food and Cooking Festival three years ago, says that, especially when it comes to artisanal offerings, people in B.C. have a wealth of options – and so much interest that the fest is offering an artisanal pavilion, a craft beer alley and plenty of craft wine and spirits.
"You have a retail network that has allowed for independent stores to retail independent products, and consumers want something that isn't a national brand, something that's different and unique. So you've got thousands of products here that we don't see in Ontario and Quebec and across the country," Mr. Fogel says. "People who live in B.C. don't realize it, but it's quite amazing."
It turns out that Vancouverites also have a thirst for knowledge, which is why the fest has beefed up its educational offerings to include dozens of hands-on workshops, demos and tastings, as well as Talk and Taste master classes that have top chefs – among them Bao Bei executive chef Joël Watanabe, Forage's Chris Whittaker, Fable's Trevor Bird and Maenam's Angus An – serving up signature dishes to small groups as they talk about the inspiration behind them.
In addition to checking out myriad vendors, foodies can also pick up tips from top pros at the Celebrity Chef stage, which features Toronto Asian fusion star Susur Lee, veteran Vancouver restauranteur and Dragon's Den star Vikram Vij, high-profile chef and Toronto Food Network host Mark McEwan, and more.
For a dash of competition, the Celebrity Chef Throwdown will pit defending champion Jackie Kai Ellis against the Food Network's Anna Olson and Café Medina's Jonathan Chovancek in a contest that sees the three chefs whipping up delicious dishes in 20 minutes using a mystery ingredient.
And those who want to hobnob with some of Canada's hottest culinary stars can head for the Canadian Flavours Gala, an Ocean Wise fundraiser at the Terminal City Club that pairs local dishes from some of the country's top chefs with new releases from Naramata, B.C., wineries.
But one of the most noticeable shifts at this year's BC Place event is that, because of recent changes to the province's liquor legislation, the entire stadium floor will be licensed, meaning that festival-goers can sip as they stroll rather than being corralled into smaller designated areas.
"Now when you have a drink in your hand, or you've sampled a beverage that you want to pair with something, you have the licence to wander and explore and enjoy," says Mr. Fogel. "And we just think that's huge."
Eat! Vancouver is at BC Place Friday through Sunday. The Canadian Flavours Gala is at the Terminal City Club Thursday (eat-vancouver.com).