5 Reasons to Love the Eat! Vancouver Dinner Series

In an ordinary restaurant setting, chefs are always cooking behind the scenes, way back in the depths of the kitchen where you can’t see them, but with the EAT! Vancouver collaboration dinners, top chefs come out to the table to answer questions and talk to you about why they can’t get enough black garlic, or what dream inspired their foraged sea grass appetizer—it feels a lot like your BFF is a chef and they’ve created a whole multi-course menu just for you.

This EAT! Dinner Series sees local and cross-Canada culinary stars battle it out in front of you at each dining event, which ranges from intimate longtables of 30 to big family-style feasts, with dinners hosted at your favourite local restaurants. It’s guaranteed to be a night to remember, and lucky for you, there are two full days of dinners to pick from that are perfect for date night, besties night, treat-yourself night or making new friends solo. Tickets go on sale Sept. 12—here’s what you need to know about each dining event:

Wednesday – Nov. 6
The Acorn x Edmonton’s Christine Sandford of Biera
This is going to be such a cool mashup because both establishments are known for cooking outside of the box. Acorn, one of the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Canada (if not the world?) will be going all veggie farm-to-table with like-minded chef Christine Sandford. At plant-forward Biera, Sandford focuses on simplicity, and the quality of ingredients. There are two seatings, and only 30 guests max, so you can expect a fun intimate affair, with creative, elevated food that’s finely crafted.
Tickets: $110 

Wednesday – Nov. 6
Ned Bell x Jonathan Gushue of Fogo Island Inn
This is the cross-country FlyOver Canada of chef dinners. Mr. Ocean Wise chef and author Ned Bell will be hosting Fogo Island Inn’s notable chef Jonathan Gushue for a 40-person dinner event at the Vancouver Club Nov. 6. The stunning Fogo Island Inn was ranked one of En Route’s Best New Restaurants and also made the list for Forbes’ Top 100 Restaurants in the World and now chef Gushue will be bringing the signature flavours of Atlantic Canada to play off everything Bell will be serving up from the West.
Tickets: *This dining event is sold out, but you can still taste signature canapés from these chefs (and more) at the big EAT! Harvest event, Friday Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Vancouver Club.
Tickets are $135.

Thursday – Nov. 7
Wildebeest x Toronto’s Richmond Station
Carl Heinrich is the head of the uber successful Richmond Station (ingredient-focused, technique driven), and he will be joining local Wildebeest chef (and nose-to-tail enthusiast) Ian McHale for a 70-person, family-style mingle-and-eat sesh at his Gastown restaurant.
Tickets: $120

Thursday – Nov. 7
Cioppinos x Portland’s Cathy Whims of Nostrana
There are too many tasty things happening Nov. 7, how will you choose?! This especially hot ticket sees chef Cathy Whims flying in from Portland’s Nostrana to craft a meal with Cioppino’s owner and chef Pino Posteraro. You’ve got one night only to see these two Italian chefs with big reputations put on a once-in-a-lifetime menu (Posteraro was named Knight of the Order of Star of Italy in 2018 and Whims has been nominated six times for James Beard Best Chef awards).
Tickets: $225

Thursday – Nov. 7
Campagnolo x Toronto’s Craig Harding of La Palma
Great venue and guaranteed great atmosphere at this Campagnolo event featuring Vancouver Magazine’s Chef of the Year, Chef Belcham, and Toronto chef Craig Harding. Harding is known for his big flavours and fresh twists on Italian classics.
Tickets: $110 

EAT! Vancouver returns Nov. 4-9 with these signature events and more, for more info visit eat-vancouver.com. Don’t forget, tickets went on sale Sept. 12!