5 food events worth checking out before the end of June

Throughout the month of June Vancouver has been host to a range of food-related events, from intimate collaborative dinners to bustling food-focused festivals. Here’s a list of food events in Vancouver for your calendar worth checking out before the end of June.

Fratello at Campagnolo

An exciting collaborative dinner will take centre stage at Campagnolo this Thursday, when two highly acclaimed Italian restaurants unite. Chef Robert Belcham will share his Campagnolo kitchen with chef Basilo Pesce of Toronto’s Porzia to present Fratello (meaning brother in Italian).

Following a cocktail reception, the talented duo will put their skills to the test when they prepare an alla famiglia-style feast for 60 guests. Focusing on fresh, locally grown ingredients, Fratello’s menu will include a five-course dinner severed at communal tables and feature: fava bean crostini with lemon and sea urchin botarga; UBC radishes with cultured taleggio butter and clay pepper salt, as well as a roasted 50 day dry-aged loin of Berkshire pork and confit pork neck.

When: June 25, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 1020 Main Street
Price: Tickets are $100 (plus tax and service fee) and must be purchased in advance at campagnolofratello.eventbrite.com.

Urban Digs Farm’s Summer Kick-off Party

To celebrate the opening of their new butcher shop and farm, Urban Digs Farm is hosting a summer kick-off party. Highlights of the event will include The Tishomingo String Band who will perform their classic bluegrass tunes, delicious BBQ offerings from Re-Up BBQ, a variety of craft brews from Coal Harbour Brewing, refreshing popsicles from Nice Pops and a chance to visit the Urban Digs’ farm. Admission to the kick-off party includes a boozy or non-boozy beverage, entertainment and a farm tour.

When: June 26, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Urban Digs Farm, 4992 Byrne Road, Burnaby
Price: General admission is $10 and tickets can be bought here.

Food Cart Fest

Vancouver’s fourth annual Food Cart Fest returns to Olympic Village this Sunday from midday to 5 p.m. Over 20 of Vancouver’s most popular food carts will be in attendance.

Participating food vendors include: Mogu Japanese Street Eats, Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck, Roaming Dragon, Vij’s Railway Express, and many more.

When: Sundays, starting June 28, 2015 from Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 215 West 1st Avenue, Olympic Village
Price: $2 admission/FREE for Vancity Bank members, Car2go members, and or those who bring a non-perishable food donation to the event for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society

Greek Day on Broadway

Attracting nearly 100,000 attendees from across the Lower Mainland Greek Day on Broadway, a free Greek-themed cultural festival, will once again boast a range of food, music and free family fun on the streets of West Broadway.

With a line of food vendors serving a delicious range of authentic Greek cuisine, festival goers can enjoy Greek Souvlaki (chicken or pork), gyros, roast Lamb, savoury and sweet filo pastries, Greek salads, and saganaki (fried cheese). There’s also a cooking demonstration tent.

When: Sunday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: West Broadway from MacDonald to Blenheim Street
Price: Free admission

‘Beest meets West at Wildebeest

On June 30 Wildebeest in collaboration with specialty importer Westbier will host a multi-course dinner accompanied by artisanal beer pairings. This one night only event will showcase rare European brews from Belgium and Denmark. Poured by Westbier’s Certified Cicerone Gerry West, these brews have been carefully matched with an enticing menu featuring, seared Paradise Valley Pork medallions, roasted Maple Hill pheasant, and braised Reserve Angus Beef short rib.

When: June 30, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 120 West Hastings Street
Price: A single ticket costs $75 (plus taxes and gratuity) and can be purchased online here.