14 Vancouver food events worth checking out this February

Featuring a festival dedicated solely to hot chocolate, beer-fuelled excursions, and a weekly winter Famers’ Market, Vancouver’s food events calendar for February is marked with a colourful mix of fun food-focused outings.

We’ve complied a list, which we will keep adding to, of upcoming food-related events happening in the city this February.

Unsung Heros at Blue Water Cafe

This February Blue Water Cafe’s executive chef Frank Pabst will celebrate the 12th anniversary of his sustainable seafood festival. Aptly named “Unsung Heroes”, Pabst initially created the month-long event to bring awareness to local and unique seafoods and to avoid species that are over-fished. In prior years, the Unsung Heroes menu has been comprised of dishes such as red sea urchin trifle, stir-fried jellyfish and poached periwinkles. This year, chef Pabst promises new flavours, with previously unavailable ingredients including steamed gooseneck barnacles and sustainably-raised sturgeon liver mousse.

When: Commences Tuesday, February 2 and ends on Monday, February 29
Where: Blue Water Cafe, 1095 Hamilton Street
Price: For more information or reservations call 604-688-8078

Hot Chocolate Festival

The 6th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival returns to Vancouver. From January 16 to February 14, 2016, participating restaurants and cafés will have their Hot Chocolate Festival menus on offer, and special promotions in place. A total of 25 participants–called, of course, “Chocstars”–will be putting out 59 inventive flavours of hot chocolate over the 30 days of the annual fest.

When: January 16 to February 14
Where: Various venues (check website for further details)

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Winter Farmers’ Market at Nat Bailey Stadium

Now in its 9th year, this weekly market offers visitors locally-grown fruit and vege, meat, and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen, artisan cheese and bread, herbs and seasonal nursery items, baked goods, prepared foods and artisanal craft. The market also boasts a variety of food trucks and hot drink vendors, along with live music.

When: Every Saturday in February (6,13,20,27), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Nat Bailey Stadium, 4601 Ontario Street
Price: Admission is free

Bodega Gives Back in February

Bodega on Main will donate 15% of all food sales on Mondays in the month of Febraury to Rethink Breast Cancer: The Young Women’s Breast Cancer Movement. It is a cause that is very dear to Bodega on Main’s Paul Rivas. Enjoy one of Vancouver’s best new restaurants and help a good cause.

When: Mondays in February
Where: Bodega on Main, 1014 Main Street

Benny Bonanza at Joe Fortes

Feeding Vancouver’s insatiable appetite for brunch, Joe Fortes is bringing back their popular Benny Bonanza. Starting February 6, patrons will be able to choose from three benny plates, including Classic Eggs Benedict, Sausage Eggs Benedict, and Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict for $9.95 each.

When: Running from February 6 to 28, the promotion is for weekend brunches only.
Where: Joe Fortes, 777 Thurlow Street
Price: Eggs Benny dishes will be charged at $9.95

Ugly Duckling Dinner Series

Those looking for a unique and zero-waste dining experience this February should check out Royal Dinette’s Ugly Duckling Dinner Series, where Chef/Owner David Gunawan’s waste-not, want-not culinary values really come into focus. Gunawan will transform a host of common cast-offs like stems, stalks, leaves, rinds and even coffee grounds into a delicious five-course menu designed to both inform and educate guests on the importance of making the most of what local producers, pastures and farms provide.

When: Wednesday, February 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Royal Dinette, 905 Dunsmuir Street
Price: Tickets are priced at $79 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and can be purchased online here.

Valentine’s Couples Cooking Class

Powell Street’s Uncommon Café is offering couples a fun and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Couples who sign up (attendees must be in pairs), will learn how to cook a romantic dinner, while savoring delicious French food, in a candle lit setting.

When: Wednesday, February 10
Where: Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street
Price: Tickets are $70 per person ($60 early bird), and can be purchased online here.

Chef Philippe Joannès visits ORU at Fairmont Pacific Rim

There will be two cooks in the kitchen from February 10 to 14 at ORU at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, as Executive Chef Nathan Brown welcomes renowned Executive Chef Philippe Joannès of the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monaco. The duo will offer a special à la carte dinner menu that will take guests on a culinary journey; Chef Joannès and his signature Mediterranean flavours will marry together with ORU’s Pacific Northwest inspired cuisine, to create a unique dining experience of the senses. Food lovers celebrating Valentine’s Day may want to check out their special dinner on the 14th (menu) for a sumptuous evening out.

When: February 10 to 14
Where: ORU at Fairmont Pacific Rim, 1038 Canada Place
Price: Dishes priced individually February 10 to 13; Valentine’s Day dinner $99/person

2nd Annual Valentine’s Day Brewery Tour

Vancouver Brewery Tours presents their second For The Love Of The Craft — A Valentine’s Day Brewery Tour. The romantic, beer-fuelled excursion will stop at Big Rock Urban Brewery, Storm Brewing, and Strange Fellows Brewing. Transported around the city in a mini-van, participants will get to enjoy a range of beer samples (including a Valentine’s-themed beer made especially for the day), appetizers, and Thomas Haas chocolate.

When: Sunday, February 14, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Multiple venues (check website)
Price: Tickets are priced at $85 per person and can be purchased online here.

Food Bank’s 1st Annual Valentine’s Virtual Food Drive

Show your support for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank this Valentine’s Day by hosting a Virtual Food Drive or by donating directly. Help the organization reach their goal of $14,000 in donations by February 14, 2016

When: Live on January 26, and running until February 14.
How: It’s easy to get involved! Here’s what you do: Set up your Valentine’s Virtual Food Drive. Personalize your page with your message and image. Send an invitation to family, friends, and co-workers to go shopping.

Colab @ Latab

This monthly series, held on the third Monday of each month, puts the focus on collaborations between some of Vancouver’s most innovative chefs, bartenders, and wild harvesters. Attendees to this foodie event will be presented with six plates created by Annabelle Choi and Latab’s chef and co‐owner Kris Barnholden, using wild harvested yeasts and greens from MuseumEats, plus three to five natural wines, which Matt Sherlock, from the Okanagan’s Lock & Worth Winery, will be talking about during the dinner.

When: Monday, February 15, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Latab, 983 Helmcken Street
Price: Tickets are priced at $89 (all inclusive) and can purchased online here.

Pizza Palooza

This pizza tasting extravaganza is presented by Vancouver Foodster, Richard Wolak and Tasting Plates. The evening will involve visiting a handful of pizzerias around the city, and sampling an array of pizza slices. At this stage, participating restaurants include Straight Outta Brooklyn, Zero Zero Pizzeria, and Ragazzi Pizza, with more names to be announced.

When: Wednesday, February 17
Where: Various venues
Price: Advanced tickets are priced at $45 per person and can be purchased online here.

Vancouver International Wine Festival

One of the city’s largest annual food and wine events, the Vancouver International Wine Festival, returns to the city for its 38th year. Spanning over a week, from February 20 to 28, the wine-focused affair will once again bring together the top names in wine making, as well as a collection of wines from round the world.

When: February 20 to 28, 2016
Where: Convention Centre, plus various venues (please check website)
Price: Ticket prices depend on what event is selected. You can peruse the events and purchase tickets online here.

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Wines of Veneto & Sicily

Part of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, this winery dinner presented by Trialto Wine Group will showcase two regions at opposite ends of Italy and two very different winemaking philosophies, hosted by friendly rivals Edoardo Montresor (Montresor) and Stefano Maggini (Feudo Maccari).

When: Tuesday, February 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Giovane café + eatery, 1038 Canada Place
Price: Tickets are priced $175 per person and can be purchased online here.