Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's Sakura Night returns next May

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival's fifth annual Sakura Night returns this May

VCBF/Cakewalk Media

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s (VCBF) fifth annual Sakura Night returns this May.

The one-night event is the festival’s standing reception fundraiser and celebrates a world of Asian-fusion cuisine, allowing attendees to try food from some of Vancouver’s top local chefs.

VCBF/Cakewalk Media

Here’s a quick look at some of the chefs that will be present at this year’s event:

VCBF

Chef Taka Omi (Benkei Ramen)

Chef Taka Omi began his career in Japan’s restaurant scene. He also spent several years working in Toronto before setting up shop in Vancouver.

He holds the reign of sushi chef at The Lobby Lounge in the Fairmnt Pacific Rim and spends several hours a week preparing authentic cuisine at Benkei Ramen.

Chef Will Lew (Notch8 Restaurant & Bar)

Chef Will Lew grew up in the “City of Glass.” His entry to the culinary world was his grandfather, a chef in Vancouver’s Chinatown and “head cook” at family dinners.

Chef Lew’s career has seen him work at Trattoria Italian Kitchen, Sanafir Restaurant, and before Notch8, the Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Chef Jason Labahn (Parq Vancouver)

Chef Jason Labahn serves as the Culinary Director at Parq Vancouver. He played an instrumental role in the design and execution of the facility’s restaurants: Honey Salt, The Victor, BC Kitchen, MRKT East, and D6.

Chef Ken Nakano (Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver)

One of Chef Nakano’s largest strengths is ingredient-driven cuisine. He was raised in a traditional Japanese household and first learned culinary tradition from his mother.

Now, he brings his tradition and philosophy to life at Shangri-La Hotel, blending sophisticated yet uncomplicated flavours, and menus that showcase the best ingredients across Canada.

Chef Hiro Watanabe (Super Hiro’s)

Chef Hiro Watanabe was born in Aichi, Japan. After years of training at one of Japan’s top restaurants, he made the move to Canada, where he honed his skills at Tojo’s Restaurant for 17 years.

In 2017, he opened Super Hiro’s on Broadway, his very own chance to share his culinary visions with Vancouver.

Chef Kenta Takahashi (Boulevard Vancouver Kitchen & Oyster Bar)

Pastry Chef Kenta Takahashi brings a curious and delightful mix of French panache and Japanese heritage to each dessert he makes.

He was an award-winning pastry chef in his home country and worked at a number of restaurants in Tokyo and Kanagawa, Japan, before coming to Vancouver and honing his craft under renowned pâtissier and chocolatier Thierry Busset.

James Coleridge (Uma Gelato)

James Coleridge is a gelato maestro extraordinaire and one of the most recognized gelato makers in the world.

Since 2011, he’s competed in seven Italian competitions and two Gelato World Cups, winning the award “Best Gelato in North America” twice.

Sakura Night will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Stanley Park Pavilion.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online for $175. Proceeds from the non-profit event go towards supporting future VCBF events.

Sakura Night

When: Sunday, May 5, 2019

Time: 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Where: Stanley Park Pavilion – 610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver

Tickets: $175

Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival