Experiential Christmas Gifts for the Foodie in Your Life - West Coast Food

By Jenni Sheppard

December is here, holiday festivities have begun, and Christmas is almost upon us! And—if you haven’t already—it’s time to start finding gifts for your loved ones.

Whether you’re trying to tempt the taste buds of a newbie foodie, or you’re buying for the most insatiable gourmet in town, Metro Vancouver has lots to offer.

From tasting tours and cookery classes, to dining dates and culinary celebrations, here’s our collection of Christmas gift ideas for the foodie in your life this year.

Foodie Tours

Dumpling Trail Tour
Richmond

Image courtesy of Tourism Richmond

The Dumpling Trail Tour is a guided walk organized by Vancouver Food Tour, visiting six restaurants serving delectable dumplings in Richmond. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and includes pork and shrimp dumplings and some extra sides at each venue. Along the way, you will learn about the countless regional varieties of Asian dumplings.

Chew on This Tasty Tours
Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford

Get off the beaten path with Lise, who will show you around murals, shopping and spices, tasting and sipping all along the way! Learn more about Lise and her amazingly tasty tours here. 

Secret Beer Tour
Vancouver

Image courtesy of Secret Food Tours

The Secret Beer Tour takes you into the heart of Vancouver’s craft beer scene in Brewery Creek, the unofficial microbrewery neighbourhood around Main Street. Over the course of three hours, you’ll sample a variety of beers at four different breweries, as well as go behind the scenes to discover how beer is made at each brewery.

Backyard Vineyards
Langley

Image Courtesy of Backyard Vineyard

Backyard Vineyards sells award-winning wine, created from grapes grown in their own vineyard as well as the Fraser Valley and South Okanagan. They offer a variety of tour packages, including a guided visit of the vineyard and winery production area, and a wine tasting session. Add on a cheese/charcuterie platter, or customize your own private tour.

Cooking Classes

Dirty Apron Cooking School
Vancouver

Image courtesy of Dirty Apron Cooking School

Vancouver’s Dirty Apron Cooking School offers a wide range of cooking classes and courses for the newbie and foodie alike. At Demo & Dine classes, a chef demonstrates how to cook various courses—and you get to eat them. Or get hands-on experience in classes with imaginative names like The Best Brunch, Plant Power, Meat Eaters Unite, and Ocean Fling.

Posh Pantry
Burnaby

Image courtesy of Posh Pantry

At Posh Pantry, classes are more like a dinner party than a lesson. You’ll get to sit back and watch as the chef demonstrates, ask questions, take notes, and of course, enjoy a delicious meal. Classes can cover topics including Sunday suppers, seafood dishes, vegan inspiration, homemade gnocchi,  Spanish tapas, breads and soups, and Chinese New Year.

Special Events

Dine Out Vancouver Festival
Vancouver

Image by Gabrielle Mustapich

Don’t forget that Vancouver’s annual foodie fest, Dine Out Vancouver Festival, runs from January 14th through 31st. You can choose from a myriad of special events across the city, including special 3-course meals, guided dining adventures, street food markets, guest chef dinners, and BC VQA wine and craft beer tastings. Why not treat your loved one to a seat at the table?

 

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