EAT! Vancouver 2012

This is my first visit to the event but I had a great time. Especially wine tasting was really fun.

The 10^th annual EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival took place on June 1 — 3, 2012 at BC Place. This year it presents the first-​ever Pop-​Up Culinary Centre, presented by Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA). Pop-​Up Culinary attendees will learn fundamental, hands-​on cooking skills from PICA instructors under the leadership of Executive Chef Julian Bond, the first recipient of Vancouver Magazine’s Mentorship Award. Classes are $ 25+HST per person and are limited to 16 people each. Food Network Celebrity Stage with Bob Blumer, Canadian Living Magazine’s Food Director, Cactus Club’s mastermind Rob Feenie made appearances alongside Dale MacKay from Ensemble Restaurant and chefs from Glowbal Group.
The festival hosted Western Canadian Regional Barista Championships, where competitors will face-​off to win a spot in the finals in Toronto. We hope you had a chance to catch some of the espresso action!
Van Houtte, the proud partner of the World barista Championships also offered a stand for you to grind, brew and swirl your own espresso latte art skills!
Who would have though McDonald also secured a great location by the entrance featuring their new real fruit smoothies — Mango Pineapple, Banana Strawberry or Blueberry Pomegranate.
For the healthy at heart, EAT! offered a healthy section with local brands such as Daiya «cheese» stood. Daiya is all natural vegan made from tapioca. The strange part is that it tastes nothing non-​cheese like. But I can’t imagine forgoing the natural curds.
A Good Portion of nature, scooped carefully for you! These local guys from Richmond features Chick Peas, Mung Beans, Green Lentils, Pistachios, etc…
The Granola Girls… the organic vegan version of the yummy delicious granola you will ever eat. We originally had pictures with the Granola Girls but my SD card died. Only half of the event was salvaged
International Food Pavilion: Various exotic countries such as Peru, Thailand, Indonesia Philippines showcased their local treats and culinary skills.
Boylan Bottling Co. secured a large section to feature their vintage soda drinks, MASH carbonated water drinks (Mango, Grapefruit Citrus Zing, etc), Good Drink Bottle Tea Ice Teas (White Tea & Blueberry, Black Tea & Lemon, Lemon & Honey), Cabana Lemonades (Tropical Mango Lemonades)…
The Big Kids Section…
Taboo Genuine Absinthe was cool, sugar cubes were lit and libations poured.
–Vancouver Island Brewery with cool packaging that reminds me of the O.C.
–TAJ Mahal Poland’s No.1 Premium Beer, Tusker, ZYWIEC
–Duvel, Liefmans fruity beer
–Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 Whiskey in a can: JD and Coke. JD Lemonade. Apparently these babies have been around 2 yrs but because they are in the cooler section and not where the hard stuff is with the Gentlemen I’ve overlooked. Camping season can not come earlier.
–and how can you not have MOTT’s Clamato Caesars. Full bar with all the good stuff.