Megan Halkett, Author at West Coast Food - Page 28 of 28
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Megan Halkett

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Metro Vancouver Chef Stories

Burnaby’s Scott Jaegar Gets Seasonal

By Nikki Bayley BC is known as a chef’s paradise for the sheer abundance, variety and quality of its produce from the land and sea. From super-sustainable spot prawns and juicy Okanagan peaches to fresh-foraged salmonberries and briny sea asparagus, there is something exciting to taste year-round you just need to know what to look for, and who better to explain the gems of BC seasonal dining than Scott Jaeger, one of Canada’s most respected chefs. Scott represented Canada in the prestigious Bocuse D’Or Culinary Competition in Lyon, France in 2007 and has won a brace of awards for his culinary skills including Chef of the Year and Best Restaurant for his Burnaby-based Peartree. “Here in BC we have a short but intense growing season when things ripen all at once; around May or June things start to pop out of the ground for four months. That’s our main season…

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Chinese

Everything You Need To Know About Dim Sum in Richmond

By Visit Richmond BC If you haven’t tried dim sum before, think of it as Chinese tapas – irresistible dumplings, noodles and fried snacks – that just happen to be the best way to start the day. Literally translated the expression “dim sum” means “touch the heart,” but to those who love Chinese food, what it really means is tender dumplings, fragrant soups, crispy spring rolls, pillowy steamed buns and savoury bites of braised meat. Dim sum is a parade of small plates usually served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a terrific way to explore one of the world’s great cuisines. The tradition of dim sum originated in the ancient teahouses along the Silk Road in southern China’s Canton province. Travelers would stop for a refreshing cup of tea accompanied with savoury snacks. Back then, the tea was the main point of the meal and still is for…

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Sweets

Glenburn Soda Fountain

By Nikki Bayley If you want a sweet taste of BC in a glass, leave the downtown core and jump on a 135 bus which will take you straight along Hastings Street and deliver you to Glenburn Soda Fountain and Confectionary in the heart of Burnaby Heights. As a residential area dotted with historic heritage houses, it’s not necessarily somewhere that most visitors would see, but fans of ice cream and soda fountains need to add Glenburn to their itineraries; you’ll be delighted that you did. Once you’re in the parlour and take a seat at the shining counter, prepare to enter a world of delicious indecision: what should you order? So many choices! From milkshakes, malteds and egg creams to piled-high sundaes with a myriad of flavours, everything looks so tempting; but it’s when you discover that it’s you’re getting a truly local flavour that things get interesting… Owners…

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Brunch in Metro Vancouver

Three Unique Breakfast Spots in Abbotsford

Watch the sun come up over the mountains, and then start your day exploring Abbotsford with a hearty country breakfast. Local food lover, Robyn Roste, has three favorite diners she recommends in Downtown Abbotsford: O’Neill’s Home Cooking “Found just off the beaten path this breakfast and lunch take-out joint is best-known for the O’Neill Classic: a homemade (every morning) sweet potato bun topped with egg, cheese, ham, mayo, and honey mustard. Owner Vernon O’Neill promises if you eat there once, you’ll bring a friend next time. What more could you want?” 33771 Gosling Way, Abbotsford 604-746-4048 Mitch Miller’s “Located in the heart of downtown, Mitch Miller’s offers a huge breakfast menu including a wide selection of omelets, pancakes, and sizzlers. With gluten-free and vegetarian options as well as classic breakfast choices, there’s something for everyone at Mitch Miller’s.” 33758 Essendene Avenue, Abbotsford 604-853-2425 Ann Marie’s Cafe “Abbotsford’s only 50s-style diner…

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Festivals & Events

Unsung Heroes Seafood Festival

By Carolyn Ali Ever tried jellyfish, sturgeon liver, or smelt? What about gooseneck barnacles, sea cucumber, or whelks? (Perhaps you’re wrinkling your nose right about now and wondering,”What the heck is a whelk? Blue Water Cafe features these and other under-appreciated sea creatures throughout February during the restaurant’s Unsung Heroes festival. The month-long event promotes sustainable seafood by urging diners to try something a little (or a lot) different from what they’re accustomed to eating. The idea is to bring awareness to local and unique seafood and to avoid species that are over-fished or harvested in ways that can damage ocean beds. It’s a goal also promoted by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise conservation program, of which Blue Water Cafe is a founding member. Don’t worry: you don’t have to finish your plate or forgo the salmon you know you’ll love. Octopus is an easy place to start. If you’ve tried it before and…

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Festivals & Events

The Annual Halibut Festival

By Remy Scalza Do you love halibut? Then this is the festival for you. Every year in early May, the Halibut Festival returns to Metro Vancouver. The star of the show: 20,000 pounds of freshly caught Haida Gwaii halibut, brought in especially for the occasion. So why all the fuss about halibut? While Vancouver may be synonymous with salmon, halibut is regarded by many local fish lovers as the king of the sea. Pacific halibut is renowned for its light, sweet flavour and firm texture. Indeed, the best seafood restaurants in the city tend to give halibut pride of place. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly alternative to the severely overfished Atlantic halibut. In fact, all of the halibut at the festival is wild caught and Ocean Wise, certifying that it has been sustainably harvested. Of course, all of these perks come at a cost. Halibut is among the priciest fish on…

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Where to Eat in Metro Vancouver

Food Street: 3 blocks, 200 Restaurants, in Richmond BC

By Visit Richmond BC Known locally as “Wai Sek Kai” or “Food Street,” Alexandra Road has been a dining destination created by locals for locals for as long as anyone can remember. Easily accessible by SkyTrain, Food Street is right in the heart of the Golden Village and runs from busy No. 3 Road to Garden City Road (between Lansdowne and Aberdeen malls.) It has evolved organically over the years, especially in the last decade, with new restaurateurs attracted by the success of their colleagues and new immigrants searching for a likely place to share the foods of their homeland. Now nearly 200 eateries strong, cuisine ranges from humble noodle shops to grand Cantonese banquet rooms. The street itself is a jumble of strip malls, each one a warren of eateries adorned with bright, colourful signs advertising hot pot or pho, dim sum or sushi. Interspersed among them are a…

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Farms

A Honeybee Hotel in Downtown Vancouver

By Alexis Baran There’s a buzz in the air at Vancouver’s downtown harbour, and it’s coming from the rooftops. Environmentally-conscious Vancouverites are well aware of the global honeybee decline, and the Fairmont Hotel Waterfront has taken initiative to help them thrive by including a “bee hotel” on the roof of the (human) hotel. The top of the Fairmont Waterfront is a hidden garden you can visit, with 2,400 sq ft of greenspace, which is the perfect neighborhood for approximately 250,000 honeybees. The bees do have to pull their weight for rent in the prestigious waterfront neighborhood; in exchange for their home in the skyline, the bees produce 600-800lbs of honey per year, which is a vital ingredient on the menu items downstairs in cocktails, chocolate, desserts, salad dressing and even their signature Fairmont ‘Stinger’ Lager. Yes, you can drink the beer that the bees helped make. The bee hotel was…

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Festivals & Events

Brewing Up Excitement at Fremont Oktoberfest

The WestCoastFood team embarked on a mini road trip near the end of September to visit our friends just south of the border. Swag in hand and sunglasses on, we were ready to represent Vancouver and the Lower Mainland’s rich and diverse culinary scene at Fremont Oktoberfest, on what was looking to be a beautiful and sunny weekend. Fremont Oktoberfest is Seattle’s largest fall beer festival, with over 20,000 guests each year, and has been the city’s autumn tradition for 21 years. The three-day event celebrates the very best in craft beer from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. WestCoastFood was proud to return as the official volunteer sponsor for the second year in a row. Koozie for your beer? No problem! We gave away koozies and growlers to the lucky winners who spun the “Wheel of Fun.” The wheel stole the spotlight as guests waited in anticipation, anxious to be…

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Visit the communities of Metro Vancouver

Getting Around Metro Vancouver

Whether you’re travelling via plane, train, boat or automobile, Vancouver is an easy-to-reach destination. Once here, there are many options to help you easily navigate this diverse, eclectic region and experience the very best of West Coast cuisine. Visiting from Washington State: If you plan to fly, catch a flight to either the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Abbotsford International Airport (YXX). Sea-Tac has an abundance of flights to Vancouver and Abbotsford, with many taking less than an hour. During the summer months, you can get here by float plane from Lake Union or Lake Washington. Rather take a drive? Simply head north on Interstate 5 (I-5) to the Peace Arch border crossing and then onto Highway 99 to reach Vancouver. In total, there are four border crossings into Metro Vancouver via the communities of Abbotsford, Aldergrove and Surrey. The approximate driving time from Seattle into British Columbia is roughly three hours…

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a visit to BC? Know what to expect from tipping etiquette in Canada to what food items are permissible to bring back with you! What is the initiative of West Coast Food? West Coast Food is an initiative to brand the Lower Mainland section of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, as a culinary hub, and to promote the food of the various communities, from farm-to-fork, as a driver of tourism. It is made in partnership with destination marketing organizations from the communities of Vancouver, Vancouver’s North Shore (City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and West Vancouver), Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Langley City. What is the exchange rate in Canada? If you are visiting from the U.S., your dollar is stronger in Canada! Every $1 USD is worth approximately $1.37 CAD. For example, $30 USD can get you a fabulous meal worth $41.24 in Canadian dollars! To…

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

A Wok Around Tours

Guided culinary and cultural walking tours of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown and the colourful and energy-filled Granville Island. Get set to savour culture, history and most importantly, food! Tour Company: A Wok Around Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.736.9508 Website: www.awokaround.com E-mail: info@awokaround.com Available Culinary Tours: A Wok Around Chinatown A Wok Around Granville Island

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

BC Grand Tours

We are proud to be a small business. Owner Gabriel has been providing guide and touring services that cannot be matched by any large-scale corporate tours. We will go above and beyond to provide you with an experience that cannot be achieved by sitting on a bus with dozens of other people. After a tour with us, you’ll leave the city with good memories, great photos, interesting knowledge, and of course, new friends. Tour Company: BC Grand Tours Community: Langley Phone: 778.865.6161 Website: www.bcgrandtours.com E-mail: bcgrandtours@gmail.com Available Culinary Tours: Langley Wine Tasting Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Brookside Boutique Tours

Brookside Boutique Tours offers a variety of Fraser Valley-based Wine, Beer, Farm, and Custom tours for anyone looking to explore, sip and savour, and sight-see the day away! Tour Company: Brookside Boutique Tours Community: Surrey Phone: 604.839.2879 Website: www.southfrasershuttlesandtours.com E-mail: info@brooksidetours.ca Available Culinary Tours: Craft Beer Tour Fraser Valley Wine Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Burnaby Tours & Charters

Our company offers a variety of tours throughout the year. Spring and Summer tours offer nature walks, wildlife viewing, sightseeing, and heritage exploration that makes for a fun and educational experience. We offer individual fare tours to Metro Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Whistler Village, and Squamish. We also offer group tours to craft breweries, fruit wineries, whitewater rafting, and other fun activity tours. Tour Company: Burnaby Tours & Charters Community: Burnaby Phone: 604.422.8862 | 1.844.322.8862 Website: www.burnabytours.com E-mail: info@burnabytours.com Available Culinary Tours: Craft Brewery Tour Fraser Valley Winery Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Canadian Craft Tours

Canadian Craft Tours is a company of craft beer, spirits and wine fanatics. We love to introduce locals and visitors alike to our world. Our tours focus on the experience at each venue with education on the local libation industry. Tour Company: Canadian Craft Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 778.320.3409 | 1.800.601.9483 Website: www.canadiancrafttours.ca E-mail: Info@CanadianCraftTours.ca Available Culinary Tours: The Best of Granville Island Tour Vancouver Dim Sum Chinatown Tour Vancouver’s Best Coffee Tour Japanese Food Tour Vancouver Brewery Tour North Vancouver Brewery Tour Vancouver Brewery & Distillery Tour Vancouver Walking Brewery Tour Vancouver Wine Tour | Fraser Valley Wine Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Cycle City Tours

Through our guided tours, we tell captivating stories about what’s really going on in the city beyond the glimmering glass towers and incredible coastal and mountain views (though we never get tired of our beautiful city!) Our guides are passionate, connected Vancouverites who have a love for bike riding, telling stories, and meeting new people. Tour Company: Cycle City Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.618.8626 Website: www.cyclevancouver.com E-mail: bookings@cyclecitytours.com Available Culinary Tours: Cycle City Tours

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Destiny Limousine

Did you know that Vancouver has some of the most beautiful wineries in the world? British Columbia has Fraser Valley, which is home to more than 10 awesome wineries that produce hundreds of bottles of white varieties of Germany, chardonnays, fruit wines, and pinot noirs. Somewhere in the mainland, on the other hand, is Campbell’s Gold, which produces the only honey winery in the area. When you want a different perspective of the region, Vancouver wine tours is something that you just can’t miss. Tour Company: Destiny Limousine Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.597.9040 Website: www.destinylimousine.ca E-mail: info@destinylimousine.ca Available Culinary Tours: Fraser Valley Wine Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Forbidden Vancouver Tours

Forbidden Vancouver stages walking tours and special events that celebrate Vancouver history. We tell the stories that don’t make it on to the tour buses, tales of crime, corruption, and sin. As notorious former mayor L.D. Taylor once said … “We’re a port city. This ain’t no Sunday School town!” Tour Company: Forbidden Vancouver Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.227.7570 Website: www.forbiddenvancouver.ca E-mail: will@forbiddenvancouver.ca Available Culinary Tours: Art Deco Architecture & Chocolate Walking Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Off the Eaten Track Culinary Tours

We are not your average culinary tour company! Our goal is to get visitors out of the downtown core and immersed in interesting and tasty neighbourhoods. We visit a variety of local areas such as historic Railtown and the very modern Olympic Village. On our food tours, guests are treated to interesting stories, history & architecture, insider tips on the best hidden gems in the city, and a chance to meet the local owners and chefs. Our tours are geared towards the more adventurous traveller who is looking to get off the typical tourist path and explore parts of the city that are more local, tasty, and unique. Tour Company: Off the Eaten Track Culinary Tours Community: Victoria Phone: 778.918.4584 | Toll Free: 1-800-418-1906 Website: www.offtheeatentracktours.ca E-mail: info@offtheeatentracktours.ca

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Swallow Tail Culinary Adventures

Wine tours, Rainforest foraging tour, crab-catch & cook trips! Our tours are guided by local Vancouver chefs, sommeliers and foragers. Tour Company: Swallow Tail Culinary Adventures Community: Vancouver Phone: 778.319.9453 Website: www.swallowtail.ca E-mail: robin@swallowtail.ca Available Culinary Tours: Vancouver Wine Tour Crab & Cruise: Gourmet Sailing Trip Wild Foraging: BC Rainforest Walk & Lunch Catch & Cook: Crab Tour Vancouver

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Taste Vancouver Food Tours

We provide entertaining food tastings and cultural adventures into Vancouver’s food scene. Our walking food tours are a great way to experience the savoury tastes, sounds and sights of Vancouver’s many great eateries and shops. Tour Company: Taste Vancouver Food Tours Community: Vancouver & North Vancouver Phone: 604.767.4132 Website: www.tastevancouverfoodtours.com E-mail: info@tastevancouverfoodtours.com Available Culinary Tours: Gastown Food Tour Little Italy Food Tour North Vancouver “LoLo” Food Tour Brewery Creek Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Vancouver Brewery Tours

Voted Top 10 Beer Tour in the World by Trip Advisor in 2019! Craft beer is our passion. At Vancouver Brewery Tours, we take great pride in connecting you with Vancouver’s vibrant craft beer community through our fun and informative brewery tours. While on tour, you’ll journey to our most popular craft breweries for behind the scenes tours, enjoy VIP access, learn the story of each brewery and most importantly, enjoy the beers you love with friends new and old. Oh, and you’ll leave with a free Vancouver Brewery Tours 16oz pint glass too! Tour Company: Vancouver Brewery Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.318.2280 Website: www.vancouverbrewerytours.com E-mail: info@vancouverbrewerytours.com Available Culinary Tours: Vancouver Brewery Tour Craft Brewery & Food Brewery Tour Gastown Pub Walk Brewery Creek Walking Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Vancouver Food Tour

The original Vancouver Food Tour is a culinary adventure company that guides locals and visitors to BC’s best dining gems. A passionate team of local food and drink experts entertain guests on the delectable and informative tours. Tour Company: Vancouver Food Tour Community: Vancouver Phone: 778.228.7932 Website: www.vancouverfoodtour.com E-mail: info@vancouverfoodtour.com Available Culinary Tours: Vancouver Vegan Food Tour Craft Beer n’ Bites Tour Gastown Tasting Tour Modern Chinatown Tasting Tour Urban Foodie Experience Urban Brewery Experience West Coast Foodie Adventure Vancouver Brewery Tour at Big Rock Brewing

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Vancouver Foodie Tours

This is best way to see and taste Vancouver! In 2-3 hours, you’ll get to explore an iconic neighbourhood while eating and drinking your way through one-of-a-kind dishes that define Vancouver’s culinary scene. Tour Company: Vancouver Foodie Tours Community: Vancouver Phone: 604-295-8844 | Toll Free: 1.877.804.9220 Website: www.foodietours.ca E-mail: info@foodietours.ca Available Culinary Tours: Gastronomic Gastown Tour Granville Island Market Tour Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour World’s Best Food Truck Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Vancouver Wine Tour

We offer the finest luxury private Vancouver Wine Tours. All tours include private luxury transportation in luxury sedans and SUVs, limousines, or limo buses. Enjoy a fun and relaxing journey in the Fraser Valley, BC on our express, half day, or full day wine tours. Tour Company: Vancouver Wine Tour Community: Vancouver Phone: 604.800.3376 | 1.888.532.7773 Website: www.vancouverwinetour.ca E-mail: info@vancouverwinetour.ca Available Culinary Tours: Express Wine Tour Half Day Wine Tour Full Day Wine Tour

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Guided Tours in Metro Vancouver

Vine and Hops

Vine & Hops hosts unique wine and craft beer tours, pairing you with a customized, behind-the-scenes tasting experience. Explore Vancouver’s backyard and connect to a wide array of sights, smells and tastes from the flourishing local wine and craft beer culture in and around British Columbia. Tour Company: Vine & Hops Community: Vancouver & The Fraser Valley Phone: 604.779.9463 | 778.320.0877 Website: www.vineandhops.ca E-mail: info@vineandhops.ca Available Culinary Tours: Distillery Tours Urban Wine & Distillery Tours Vancouver Craft Brewery Tours Fraser Valley Wine Tours

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