13 Vancouver food events worth checking out this December

December is one of the best months of the year.

Why? Well, it’s the holiday season for one, you also get a long break from work, and there’s a general sense of Christmas cheer in the air.

But what really makes this the best time of year (in our opinion, at least) are the festive celebrations that involve food and drink.

Here are 13 food events in Vancouver to check out this December.

Winter Patio Pop-Up at Reflections

The garden patio at the Rosewood Hotel, Reflections, is opening for the first time as a winter pop-up lounge. Expect heat lamps, blankets, and mistletoe, seasonal cocktails, and bites from a new menu created by Executive Head Chef Harold Lemos.

When: Thursday, November 24 until Friday, December 30, from 4 to 10 pm daily.
Where: 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver (at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia)

Adult Gingerbread House Making at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

At this gingerbread house party most of the tricky structural work has been done by Pastry Chef D’Oyen and his team, which is good because this tipsy “Adult-Only” class that takes place in the glamours restaurant location in the Fairmount’s lobby,  Notch8. A ticket to this event comes with candy decorations, accoutrements, assistance from the culinary team, and two festive holiday cocktails (or beer and wine) and canapés. To reserve your spot email [email protected] or call 604-647-0517.

When: Thursday, December 1 at 7pm
Where: Notch8 – 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $70 per person or $120 per couple

Espressotec’s Festive Latte Art Throw-Ho-Ho-Down

Espressotec will be hosting a festive latte art competition called the Throw-Ho-Ho-Down. This will be going down in  Espressotec’s barista lab and it will be a holiday face off of caffeinated concoctions. Sponsored by Caffe D’arte Coffee Roasters, the competition will collect donations in support of The Lookout Society and will provide beer, snacks, and Christmas cookies to spectators.

When: Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 to 9:30pm
Where: Espressotec Sales & Service – 1015 Clark Drive, Vancouver
Tickets: Cash/food/clothing donation

Salt N Sear Pop-Up Dinner

Enjoy this seven course dinner from Jean Jaques Kabuya, Tyler Paquette, and Steven Lee. This meal includes chicken liver parfait, crab salad, mussel bisque, strip loin, pressed belly of pork, and delice de poire-chocolat. For tickets email [email protected].

When: Friday, December 2 at 7pm
Where: De Dutch Burrard Landing – 60 – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: $99 per person

Artisan Edibles Pop-Up at les amis du FROMAGE

Les amis du FROMAGE is hosting a pop-up for two weekends only. This boutique shop will feature gourmet fare from Artisan Edibles and Chef Ann Kirseböm during the December festive season. Visitors can come and buy gourmet cheese and charcuteries perfect for entertaining during the the holidays.

When: December 3 and December 4 and December 10 and December 11 from 10am to 6pm
Where: les amis du FROMAGE -843 East Hastings Street, Vancouver

Breakfast With Santa at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Head to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Sunday, December 4 before the Rogers Santa Claus Parade for Breakfast With Santa. This is a buffet-style family-friendly breakfast that features design-your-own pancakes and waffles station along with bacon, sausage, hash browns and scrambled eggs. Reservations are required and can be made through [email protected] or by calling 604-647-0517.

When: Sunday, December 4 from 8 to 10am
Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver – 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $39.95 per person, $19.95 for kids 12 years and under

Ebisu 10th Anniversary

Ebisu is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with ten days of specials. The Japanese restaurant is offering a different daily special each day along with $11.99 pitchers of Sapporo, and prices including daily gift cards and two grand prize draws for a North Face Jacket and hockey tickets.

When: Monday, December 5 to Thursday, December 15
Where: Ebisu – 827 Bute Street, Vancouver

Sabores CDMX Dinners

Three top chefs from Mexico City are coming to Vancouver to set up shop in local restaurants and showcase their cuisine over a three-night event series called Sabores CDMX. Chef José Manuel Baños of Aguamiel, Chef Mario Espinosa of La Encomienda Polanco, and Chef Gerardo Vázquez Lugo of Nicos will bring the flavour and flare of their regions with menus that will feature high-end Mexican cuisine made with rare and hard-to-find ingredients.

When: Thursday, December 8, Friday December 9, and Saturday, December 10
Where: Restaurants to be announced
Tickets: Ticketing info to be announced

Edo Japan’s Spring Roll Day

On December 10 head to any Edo Japan location to celebrate Spring Roll Day. To get into the holiday spirit, for one day only Edo will be doubling its regular per-spring-roll donation of 25 cents to 50 cents and donating the proceeds to local food banks.

When: Saturday, December 10, from 10 am to 10 pm
Where: All Edo Japan locations

Tartine & Maple Holiday Baking Classes (with Champagne)

If you’re looking to up your holiday baking game, Tartine & Maple has a couple of classes that might strike your fancy–plus, they come with champagne. There’s Eclairs and Cream Puff – Holiday Special (with Champagne!!!) on Saturday Dec 10, which covers Choux pastry basics, and how to make treats like Candy Cane Eclairs, Eggnog Cream Puffs, and Savory Gougeres (Cheese Puffs). Or, try the Ultimate Holiday Class: Treats & Champagne! on Wednesday December 21, where you’ll make Peppermint meringue, Chocolate truffles, Orange Cranberry Almond Shortbread, Coconut Macaroons dipped in chocolate. During both classes, there will be champagne for sipping–so make note, these are for 19+.

When: December 10 and December 21, 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Uncommon Café – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $65; available online. Eclairs & Cream Puffs / Holiday Cookies & Treats

Uwe’s Wine Club: Toskana Italy

Owner of Bauhaus Restaurant, Uwe Boll, invites you to his Toskana Italy wine club dinner. This meal will feature tops wines from the Toskana region of Italy, along with a special Italian-inspired menu created by Chef Stefan Hartmann. Space is limited to 20 people. For tickets please email [email protected].

When: Monday, December 12
Where: Bauhaus Restaurant – 1 West Cordova Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $130 per person, in addition to the cost of wine.

See also

• 5 things to do in Vancouver to get into the holiday spirit

Holiday Cookie Party at the Uncommon Café

Bring your Tupperware, rolling pin, an apron, and leave the rest to your one-on-one cookie demonstrators. You’ll be provided with all the tools, ingredients, and toppings need to make  either shortbread, gingerbread, sugar cookies, or thumbprints. All adults get one pound of cookie dough of their choice and extra cookie dough balls are $10. If you can’t make the dates below, please feel free to book a private cookie party for a minimum of six people.

When: Wednesday, December 14 from 6 to 8:30pm
Where: The Uncommon Café – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $40 per person, $5 for kids, tickets available via Eventbrite.

Winter Market (Urban Digs & Zero Waste Market)

Grab your essentials for holiday cooking and and eating at this collab pop-up Winter Market hosted by Urban Digs Farm and Zero Waste Market. On hand will be ethical pastured meats and eggs, vibrant local produce, Canada-grown grains (from GRAIN), an array of bulk dry goods, hostess gifts, and much more.

When: Thursday, December 22 from 9 am to 5 pm
Where:  Urban Digs Farm – 9247 Shaughnessy Street, Vancouver

Stay tuned…we’ll add more events in the coming days!