9 Vancouver food events this week, February 6 to 12

If you are among the many Vancouverites hungry for some fun ways to get out and eating this coming week here are 9 Vancouver food events happening from February 6 to 12, 2017.

1. Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Taking place now through February 14, 2017, the Hot Chocolate Festival once again makes for a delectable countdown to the sweetest day of the year, Valentine’s Day, when a lot of us are definitely thinking about chocolate. The month-long event finds cafes, sweet shops, and restaurants around Vancouver serving up special cocoa-y creations. Boasting an impressive 29 participating restaurants and cafes (called “chocstars” for the event), there will be an incredible 61 flavours of the warming wintery chocolatey drink to check out this time around.

When: Now through Tuesday, February 14
Where: Check out details including participating locations here

2. Beta 5 Pop-Up

BETA5 Chocolates is making it easier to get a hold of their gorgeous artisan chocolates and cream puffs thanks to a pop-up shop that’s running through February 14. The sweets-maker is setting up shop in digs featuring a cool mural installation from a local artist, and fun treats like signature chocolate bar collabs with The Juice Truck and Matchstick Coffee. Of course they’ll have cream puffs and their Valentine’s Day collection of goodies.

When: Now through February 14
Where: 3345 Cambie Street, Vancouver

3. Unsung Heroes Menu at Blue Water Cafe

This year the Blue Water Cafe’s Executive Chef, Frank Pabst, will celebrate the 13th anniversary of his sustainable seafood festival. Unsung Heroes is a month-long event that brings awareness to local and unique seafoods. Guests in previous years have enjoyed dishes such as red sea urchin trifle, stir-fried jellyfish, and poached periwinkles. Every year, Blue Water Cafe donates 10% of the proceeds from Unsung Heroes to the Ocean Wise program.

When: All of February
Where: Blue Water Cafe 1095 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Price: For further information or reservations, please contact Blue Water Cafe via phone at 604-688-8078 or email at [email protected]

4. Japan Unlayered: Chef’s Plate Lunches at Fairmont Pacific Rim

Part of the exciting Japan Unlayered events at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, their special culinary offering includes food by Hiromitsu Nozaki, head chef of two Michelin star restaurant Waketokuyama in Tokyo. Under his direction, the hotel’s sushi chef Taka Omi and his culinary brigade will present a limited number of his signature Bento Boxes in The RawBar, over lunch, from January 27 to February 28.

When: Now through February 28, 2017 (Noon to 2 pm)
Where: RawBar at the Fairmont Pacific Rim – 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver

5. Benny Bonanza at Joe Fortes

This February head to Joe Fortes for brunch and take part in the restaurant’s Benny Bonanza. Three varieties of bennys will be available for only $9.95 each: Classic Eggs Benedict (shaved ham, poached eggs, hollandaise, housemade biscuit), Sausage Eggs Benedict (housemade pork sausage, poached eggs, hollandaise, housemade biscuit) and BLT Benedict (arugula, tomato and bacon jam, poached eggs, hollandise and housemade biscuit).

When: Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 (runs through Sunday, February 26); available during brunch hours (11 am to 3:30 pm)
Where: Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House, 777 Thurlow Street, Vancouver

6. Cooking Class: Chocolate Lover’s Ultimate

This class is a must if you’re looking to cook the most decadent, and easy, chocolate desserts, just in time to surprise your Valentine’s! The pros from Tartine Bakery will teach you in this class how to make 4 versatile chocolate treats, and you can even sit back and enjoy one at the class with some sparkling wine.

When: Wednesday, February 8 at 5:30 pm
Where: The Uncommon Cafe – 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cost: $52-65; tickets available online

7. Amaro Release at Odd Society

Vancouver’s trailblazing Odd Society Spirits will release their first Amaro this week. Known for creating award-winning European liqueurs, distiller Gordon Glanz produced this Italian digestif with his daughter, Mia. “Just as traditional Italian liqueurs delighted in the bounty of the spice trade, Mia Amata unites expressive fruits, flowers, barks, roots and resins from the four corners of the world,” explains the distillery. Bottles will be available starting on the 10th for $22 (375mL) at Odd Society.

When: Starting February 10
Where: 1725 Powell Street, Vancouver

8. Food Truck February at the VFM

The 6th annual Food Truck February event is on every weekend in February at the Vancouver Farmers’ Markets Nat Bailey and Hastings Park markets. Hit the markets to fine double the number of food trucks with special dishes, as well as opportunities to win some cool stuff.

When: Every Saturday in February
Where:  Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Markets – 4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver

When:  Every Sunday in February
Where: Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market – PNE, Renfrew & Hastings

9. Ai & Om Couples’ Knife Skills and Cooking Class

Love is in the air at Ai & Om Knives as chef/owner Douglas Chang hosts an interactive culinary workshop celebrating togetherness in the kitchen. Create a romantic meal in a hands-on three-hour class  where attendees will learn how to shuck oysters, make certain knife cuts, and prepare and plate–and eat–the meal.

When: Sunday, February 12 at 4:30 pm
Where: Ai & Om – 129 East Pender, Vancouver
Cost: $235 per couple. Space is limited; guests must reserve in advance by emailing Douglas Chang at [email protected]