BC Guest Chef Market Dinner

Next available date: Monday, March 12th, 2012

Price: $85.00 per person

The 2012 Market Dinner schedule was released today, always one of our busiest booking days of the year. And with our expansion to Edible Canada this past summer, it only made sense to invite chefs from across this vast country to participate in our Market Dinner Series.

Guest chefs from our own BC backyard will join us, as will visiting chefs from the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec. National celebrities (including Anna Olson, Lynn Crawford, Connie DeSousa, Andrea Nicholson), and local talent (including Vikram Vij, James Walt, Ned Bell, Thomas Haas) are headed to Granville Island. All are coming to represent Canadian cuisine to the fullest, and each Chef will prepare a gourmet, seasonal feast in our custom designed private demonstration dining room at Edible Canada at the Market.

We are also expanding on the Market Dinner theme with a number of signature evenings. Our popular Whisky Dinners with Cask Strength return (with more dates to satisfy demand!) as well as Alfresco Summer Dinner Evenings in stunning locations around Greater Vancouver.

As with all of our popular Market Dinners, guests enjoy a multicourse seasonally inspired dinner prepared right in front of your eyes. Our sommelier chooses select and often rare BC and Canadian wine, beer and spirits to pair with your meal, and guests are offered a 10% discount in the Edible Canada Retail Store and on future tours booked at the event. Since the goal of the evening is just to relax and enjoy the experience, we will email you a copy of the recipes and wine pairings from the night.

Each Market Dinner is limited to only 24 guests. Gift certificates are available, as are multipack savings packages.

Confirmed dates are listed below - many more chefs and dates will be released over the coming weeks. If you'd like to be added to our mailing list and be first to know about dates, please email us and let us know!

2012 MARKET DINNER EVENINGS

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February 29 - 40 & Fabulous with Gray Monk Estate Winery

**We are incredibly excited to be hosting our first ever Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Event this yearand honoured to be welcoming Gray Monk to our Granville Island bistro.

We invite you to dinner with one of BC’s first families of wine – Gray Monk Estate. Celebrating 40 successful years, the Heiss family continue to produce award-winning VQA wines. Enjoy a selection of their flagship and premium wines (including reserves from their library) accompanied by seasonal, market fresh, new Canadian cuisine. View our menu here.

Edible Canada at the Market
1596 Johnston Street
6:30-10:00 pm
$100

Buy tickets online or by phone: 604-873-3311

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March 3 - Chef Jeff Van Geest of Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery    
SOLD OUT!
Chef Jeff Van Geest oversees Miradoro's modern, local and sustainable cuisine, where the Okanagan sunshine is married with the flavours of the Mediterranean. Chef Van Geest owned and operated Vancouver’s popular shrine to local food, Aurora Bistro for over five years before moving to the Okanagan to raise his family. His passion for fresh local products is fueled by working amidst BC's best fruit and vegetable growing region. $85 per person.

March 12 - Chef Ned Bell of YEW at the Four Seasons

With a food philosophy that is "globally inspired and locally created", Chef Ned Bell oversees the seafood-centric menu at YEW Restaurant at Vancouver's Four Seasons Hotel. Chef Bell has controlled kitchens and charmed diners across Canada, and during his time in Toronto, he was a regular on Food Network Canada’s “Cook Like a Chef". $85 per person.

March 23 - George Siu & Park Heffelfinger of Memphis Blues Barbeque House
Launched by George Siu & Park Heffelfinger in Vancouver in September 2001, Memphis Blues Barbeque House celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2011, after serving tens of thousands of happy customers from all across the globe, winning dozens of awards, and garnering citywide and national acclaim – all in the name of spreading the juicy gospel of succulent, slow-roasted Southern baah-bee-cue. Innovators from the start, they were the first casual self-serve restaurant in the city with a sophisticated twist to what is now a celebrated, but reasonably-priced wine list, recognized by Wine Access Magazine as being one of the ’50 Best Wine Restaurants in Canada’ three years in a row. $85 per person.

March 28 - Chef Todd Howard of CinCin

Chef de Cuisine Todd Howard’s contemporary Italian cuisine is ingredient-driven and seasonally focused, with distinctive dishes embracing the traditions of Italy. Experience at Angela Hartnett at The Connaught Hotel, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck, London’s iconic Le Gavroche and Watermark in the BVI has prepped him well to oversee the kitchen at CinCin. $85 per person.

April 10 - Chefs Cameron Smith & Dana Ewart of Joy Road Catering

Cuisine du Terroir. This is how Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart describe their concept – translated as food of the earth – and food with a strong sense of place. From their inception selling pastries at the farmers’ markets, to their position as the Okanagan's preeminent caterers, Cam and Dana believe in using local ingredients for the simple reason that fresh tastes better. $85 per person.

April 18 - Chef Thomas Haas

Thomas Haas is recognized as one of the best pastry chefs in the world - an honour he comes by naturally. He is a fourth generation pastry chef who grew up in his family’s pastry shop in the Black Forest village of Aichhalden. His great-grandfather opened the Café Conditorei Haas in 1918 and since then, successive generations have lovingly prepared the family’s Black Forest cakes and other local delicacies. Haas truly believes that passion and integrity is the essence for true artisan craftsmanship. $85 per person.

April 26 - Whisky Dinner with one of Edible Canada's chefs & Cask Strength

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with Edible Canada for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

May 12 - Mother's Day Weekend with Chef Anna Olson
Celebrity chef Anna Olson is most known as host of two cooking programs, Sugar and Fresh with Anna Olson, which air in Canada on Food Network as well as in 40 countries worldwide. She has authored six bestselling cookbooks, two of which were written with her husband Michael, a well-noted chef and culinary instructor. She is coming to Vancouver to join us for Mother's Day weekend and share her much-beloved food philosophy with the lucky crowd. Her common-sense approach of cooking and baking with the seasons as well as respecting the ingredients, the technique and the process of sharing with others through food will charm and delight you. Most of all, cooking should be fun! $150 per person

May 15 - Chef Frank Pabst of Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar

Widely recognized for his creative impetus and leadership in responsible seafood practices, Chef Frank Pabst leads Blue Water's team in what has been called "one of North America’s finest seafood restaurants." He excels in "complexity without complication", honed with tenures in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Germany and France. Blue Water Cafe is a founding member of the Vancouver Aquarium's Ocean Wise program. $85 per person.

May 17 - BBQ Dinner with Ron Shewchuk

Ron Shewchuk (aka Rockin' Ronnie) is a bestselling cookbook author, international barbecue champion and Southern-style barbecue evangelist. He will entertain guests with barbecue secrets and stories, and you will leave with a full belly and renewed respect for the thrill of the grill. $85 per person.

May 29 - Chef Wendy Boys of Cocolico

Wendy Boys is an award-winning, chocolate-loving pastry artist. Following her life-long love for chocolates and the pastry arts, she has apprenticed under world-renowned chocolatiers and designed dessert programs for some of Canada’s top restaurants. Today, Wendy is a well-respected dessert consultant and proud owner of Cocolico, a Vancouver-based company specializing in small-batch, hand-crafted chocolates and dessert sauces. $85 per person.

June 12 - Chef Tim Cuff and Chef Owen Foster of Nita Lake Lodge

After working his way through some of the finest kitchens in Canada, including Calgary's Teatro, Kelowna's Mission Hill Winery, Tofino's Wickaninnish and Vancouver's West, Executive Chef Tim Cuff has made the move to Whistler as Executive Chef of the Nita Lake Lodge. Growing up in a small farm town in Saskatchewan, Cuff grew a natural passion for food and a fine appreciation for the hard work and dedication of small-scale farmers and producers. He is joined by Aura Restaurant Chef, Owen Foster, also an alumni of Mission Hill Winery as well as Banff's Eden Dining Room at the Rimrock Hotel and Whistler's Bearfoot Bistro. They will showcase the holistic, innovative cuisine that Whistler's Nita Lake Lodge has become known for. $85 per person.

June 19 - Chef Jonathan Chovancek & Lauren Mote of Kale & Nori Culinary Arts

Hospitality industry leaders and award winning talents, Chef Jonathan Chovancek and Mixologist Lauren Mote, are devoted to sharing the seasonʼs best bounty, with an emphasis on health and sustainability as it reaches your table. Chef Chovancek's light, vegetable focused cooking, accented by local and sustainable seafoods is paired with Mote's innovative beverages, using healthy and sustainable housemade ingredients to match each item, flavour by flavour.  $85 per person.

June 30 - Whisky Dinner with Chef Eric Pateman & Cask Strength

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with EC president and Chef Eric Pateman for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

July 3 - Raw Food Feast with Afke Zonderland

Afke Zonderland's passion for gourmet vegetarian food and a desire for abundant health naturally led her towards eating more uncooked food. Her understanding of the value of eating organically grown, minimally processed edibles forms the foundation of extraordinary beverages, meals and guilt free desserts. Afke's sincere enthusiasm to prepare and enjoy “the best food ever” is contagious, and we're holding two Raw Food Feasts in 2012 to satisfy demand. Afke is the creator behind Krumbleez and Krackleez. $85 per person.

July 11 - Alfresco Summer Dinner Series

This unique outdoor long table dinner will take place in various locations around Greater Vancouver, with surprise guest chefs. The location will be announced one week prior to the evening. $125 per person.

July 17 - Chef Alana Peckham of CRU
Raised in Vancouver, Alana Peckham studied at the Dubrulle International Culinary Arts institute. She worked at Feenie’s and Lumière before joining the staff at CRU, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become the restaurant’s Executive Chef. Alana’s cooking style is influenced both by her training in traditional French culinary techniques and by her cultural heritage as a Chinese Canadian.  As the Executive Chef of a restaurant that focuses on pairing food and wine, she enjoys the challenge of preparing cuisine that works together with wine to create a complete sensory experience for guests.

This unique outdoor long table dinner will take place in various locations around Greater Vancouver. The location will be announced one week prior to the evening. $125 per person.

August 7 - Chef Lee Parsons of Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel

One of the most talented chefs in the city, highly awarded and widely travelled Chef Lee Parsons brings his vast knowledge and understanding of food to Bacchus Restaurant and the luxurious Wedgewood Hotel. After gracing kitchens throughout the UK and in Ontario's Niagara Region, he landed in Vancouver as Executive Chef at the Wedgewood Hotel. He cleverly creates Modern French cuisine featuring ingredients indigenous to the West Coast.$85 per person.

August 15 - Alfresco Summer Dinner Series

This unique outdoor long table dinner will take place in various locations around Greater Vancouver, with surprise guest chefs. The location will be announced one week prior to the evening. $125 per person.

August 29  - Alfresco Summer Dinner Series

This unique outdoor long table dinner will take place in various locations around Greater Vancouver, with surprise guest chefs. The location will be announced one week prior to the evening. $125 per person.

September 11 - Raw Food Feast with Afke Zonderland

Afke Zonderland's passion for gourmet vegetarian food and a desire for abundant health naturally led her towards eating more uncooked food. Her understanding of the value of eating organically grown, minimally processed edibles forms the foundation of extraordinary beverages, meals and guilt free desserts. Afke's sincere enthusiasm to prepare and enjoy “the best food ever” is contagious, and we're holding two Raw Food Feasts in 2012 to satisfy demand. Afke is the creator behind Krumbleez and Krackleez. $85 per person.

September 22 - Whisky Dinner with Chef Eric Pateman & Cask Strength

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with EC president and Chef Eric Pateman for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

October 16 - Chef Vikram Vij of Vij's & Rangoli

Vikram Vij is widely recognized as the world’s top Indian cuisine chefs – and this is guaranteed to be an evening of a lifetime. Personable, knowledgeable and incredible talented, he graciously shares stories and techniques with the lucky crowd. $85 per person.

Due to extremely high demand, we will again be offering tickets to this class by lottery ONLY, so if you would like to try and win an opportunity to purchase two tickets to this popular evening, please send us an email.

October 27 - Whisky Dinner with Chef Eric Pateman & Cask Strength

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with EC president and Chef Eric Pateman for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

November 9 - Whisky Dinner with Eric Pateman & Cask Strength

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with EC president and Chef Eric Pateman for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

November 19 - Chef James Walt of Araxi Restaurant

As the first restaurant in Jack Evrensal’s Top Table empire, Araxi holds a place in Canadian culinary history. Chef James Walt plays an instrumental part in the iconic restaurant's 3 decades of continued success. One of this country’s leading chefs, James Walt continues to inspire both his contemporaries and his guests, creating compelling regional cuisine based on local, sustainable ingredients. $85 per person.

DETAILS

Price: Local BC Guest Chef Market Dinners are $85 per person.
Visiting Canadian Chef Market Dinners are $100 per person.
Whisky Dinners and Alfresco Summer Dinner Evenings are $125 per person.
Prices do not include HST or gratuity.

Time: 7pm – 10pm

Minimum/Maximum Group Size: 14 / 24

Location: Private Dining Room at Edible Canada at the Market.
Alfresco Summer Dinner Evenings are at various locations around Greater Vancouver.

MULTIPACK SAVINGS  *must be booked by calling our office at 604.558.0040 or by email events@ediblecanada.com

5 Pack Market Dinners – save 5%

10 Pack Market Dinners  - save 10%

Ultimate Culinary Adventure Pack - Gourmet Kayaking Weekend, Granville Island Market Tour, Chinatown Market Tour with Dim Sum, 3 Market Dinners - $975 pp plus tax & gratuity

Canadian Guest Chef Market Dinner

Next available date: Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Price: $100.00 per person

See here for details about our 2012 Market Dinner Series.

Confirmed Canadian Guest Chef Market Dinner Dates:

January 26 - Chef Andrea Nicholson of Top Chef Canada & Killer Condiments $100 per person.
The Food Network’s Top Chef Canada made Chef Andrea Nicholson a well-known name in the culinary world, but for the past 15 years, Andrea has been consumed by the art of food: as a creator, teacher and connoisseur. Her professional experience includes positions in respected Toronto restaurants and culinary institutes, as well as traveling the culinary globe and working with internationally acclaimed chefs. Supporting sustainability, Canadian farmers, purveyors and Ocean Wise is the central tenet of her cuisine. Her company, Killer Condiments, is an outlet to showcase her hand crafted artisan condiments.

May 12 - Anna Olson $100 per person.
Celebrity chef Anna Olson is most known as host of two cooking programs, Sugar and Fresh with Anna Olson, which air in Canada on Food Network as well as in 40 countries worldwide. She has authored six bestselling cookbooks, two of which were written with her husband Michael, a well-noted chef and culinary instructor. She is coming to Vancouver to join us for Mother's Day weekend and share her much-beloved food philosophy with the lucky crowd. Her common-sense approach of cooking and baking with the seasons as well as respecting the ingredients, the technique and the process of sharing with others through food will charm and delight you. Most of all, cooking should be fun! 

More dates and chefs will be released over the coming weeks and months. If you'd like to be alerted when dates are confirmed, please email us and we'll keep you posted on dates.

Whisky Dinner

Next available date: Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Price: $125.00 per person

See here for details about our 2012 Market Dinner Series.

Whisky expert Andrew Starritt of Cask Strength partners with EC president and Chef Eric Pateman for a night of spirited culinary magic. Your evening of unique and rare single malt whiskies are paired with rich, sultry dishes created to enhance the complex flavors of the spirits. These dinners provide outstanding value and are perfect for the whisky lover and learner. $125 per person.

2012 Whisky Dinner Dates:

February 11

April 26

June 30

September 22

October 27

November 9

Alfresco Summer Dinner Series

Next available date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

Price: $125.00 per person

See here for details about our 2012 Dinner Series.

This unique outdoor long table dinner will take place in various locations around Greater Vancouver, with surprise guest chefs. The location will be announced one week prior to the evening. $125 per person.

2012 Dates:

July 11

July 25 - Chefs Connie DeSousa & John Jackson of CHARCUT, Calgary 

August 15

August 29

Granville Island Market Tour

Next available date: Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Price: $35.00 per person

Edible Canada’s signature tour provides the opportunity for both locals and visitors to learn about and experience BC’s most visited and best-known public market. With more than 12.2 million visitors a year, Granville Island can be a very busy place! Put yourself in the experienced and knowledgeable hands of Edible Canada's culinary professionals and learn the secrets and the best places to shop.

The centerpiece of the island experience is the Granville Island Public Market, which houses a diverse array of vendors; irresistible green grocers, butchers, bakers, fishmongers, cheese specialists, sweets stands, and casual eateries. Just outside the market are many local artisans as well as a wine shop, a micro roaster of organic coffee, the Netloft and Canada’s only artisan Sake distillery. With more than fifty permanent vendors and a constantly rotating roster of farmers and culinary artisans, Granville Island is a true cook’s treasure and a foodie’s heaven!

Details

Time: 9-11am daily

Price: $35 per person plus HST & gratuity

Duration : Approximately 2 hours
Max/ Min Group size: 8 / 2
Meeting Spot: In front of the Culinary Artisan Retail Store, at Edible Canada at the Market 

Tour Includes:
• A 2-hour tour of the Granville Island Public Market
• Edible Canada recycled tote bag
• Tastings of regional foods
• Tips on food selection and preparation
• Bottled water
• 10% off purchases at the Edible Canada Retail Store  

Note: Tickets for all these tours must be purchased in advance. The cut off time for ticket purchases is 3pm the day prior to the tour. Tickets cannot be purchased the day of the tour. Ticket purchases are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another date. *Please note, we require a minimum of 2 people to run each market tour.  If less than 2 people are registered for a tour, you will have the option of moving to another date or having your money refunded. View the bottom of the website for our terms & conditions.

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Private Market Tours

Our Market Tours are also available for private groups. Contact us for more details.

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Private Family Market Tours

We also proudly offer Private Family Market Tours. With a minimum of 2 adults at our regular fare, we welcome a maximum of 6 children up to 16 years of age at a rate of 25% off.  Children 5 and under are free of charge.  The tour follows the same basic outline as our public tours, but you have a chef guide all to yourself, and we can incorporate the children’s pace and interests in the tour. Contact us to book your private family tour.

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Granville Island Sample & Shop Tour

Next available date: Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Price: $75.00 per person

People come to Granville Island for 2 main reasons - to eat and to shop. Edible Canada has created a new tour that allows you to do both! Sample & Shop Granville Island combines EC's flagship Chef Guided Market Tour with an in-depth Granville Island Shopping experience for an extensive three-hour sampling and shopping excursion! After your culinary tour, your guide will help you discover another part of Granville island, where artisans work away in their studios creating one of a kind pieces. Meet the artists, experience what they do and recieve exclusive discounts.

Chinatown Tour with Dim Sum

Next available date: Saturday, February 25th, 2012

Price: $65.00 per person

Edible Canada is proud to introduce visitors and locals alike to one of North America’s largest Chinatowns. With an abundance of history and so much to see and smell - not to mention taste - Chinatown is a tour that adventurous foodies do not want to miss.

The centerpiece of Vancouver’s diverse ethnic dining scene is Chinatown. Our skilled and knowledgeable Chinese Canadian food experts will share the history of this unique area as you walk through the historic streets and hidden alleys. Your guide will unlock the secrets of a food culture that has truly shaped Vancouver, and continues to provide the backbone for our city’s pan-Asian cuisine.

With an introduction to some of the historical buildings and heritage landmarks in the area, you will make your way to the heart of Chinatown.  Visits to herbal stores, meat shops, bakeries and specialty stores are included, along with a variety of food sampling: BBQ meats, exotic fruits, traditional snacks, teas and more. 

After your walking tour, enjoy a spectacular Guided Dim Sum lunch at one of Vancouver’s most authentic Chinese restaurants. This experience is highly recommended!

Details

Dates: Tours depart every Saturday at 10:30am
Price: $65 per person plus HST & gratuity
Duration : Approximately 3 hours 
Minimum/Maximum Group Size: 2 / 8
Meeting Spot: Eight Treasures Shop at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Tour Includes:
• A 2 hour tour of Chinatown & surrounding area, followed by guided Dim Sum lunch
• Edible Canada recycled tote bag
• Tastings of regional foods
• Tips on food selection & preparation
• Recipes
• EC bottled water

Note: Tickets for all these tours must be purchased in advance. The cut off time for ticket purchases is 3pm the day prior to the tour. Tickets cannot be purchased the day of the tour. Ticket purchases are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another date. *Please note, we require a minimum of 2 people to run each market tour.  If less than 2 people are registered for a tour, you will have the option of moving to another date or having your money refunded. View our terms & conditions at the bottom of this website.

Chinatown Tour without Dim Sum

Next available date: Saturday, February 25th, 2012

Price: $40.00 per person

Edible Canada is proud to introduce visitors and locals alike to one of North America's largest Chinatowns. With an abundance of history and so much to see and smell - not to mention taste - Chinatown is a tour that adventurous foodies do not want to miss.

The centerpiece of Vancouver’s diverse ethnic dining scene is Chinatown. Our skilled and knowledgeable Chinese Canadian food experts will share the history of this unique area as you walk through the historic streets and hidden alleys. Your guide will unlock the secrets of a food culture that has truly shaped Vancouver, and continues to provide the backbone for our city’s pan-Asian cuisine.

With an introduction to some of the historical buildings and heritage landmarks in the area, you will make your way to the heart of Chinatown.  Visits to herbal stores, meat shops, bakeries and specialty stores are included, along with a variety of food sampling: BBQ meats, exotic fruits, traditional snacks, teas and more. 

Guided Dim Sum lunch at one of Vancouver’s most authentic Chinese restaurants is optional - but highly recommended! Click here for details.

Details

Dates: Tours depart every Saturday at 10:30am
Price: $40 per person plus HST & gratuity

Duration : Approximately 2 hours 
Minimum/Maximum Group Size: 2 / 8
Meeting Spot: Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden Gift Shop

Tour Includes:
• A 2 hour tour of Chinatown & surrounding area
• Edible Canada recycled tote bag
• Tastings of regional foods
• Tips on food selection & preparation
• Recipes
• EC bottled water

Note: Tickets for all these tours must be purchased in advance. The cut off time for ticket purchases is 3pm the day prior to the tour. Tickets cannot be purchased the day of the tour. Ticket purchases are nonrefundable and cannot be transferred to another date. *Please note, we require a minimum of 2 people to run each market tour.  If less than 2 people are registered for a tour, you will have the option of moving to another date or having your money refunded. View our terms & conditions at the bottom of this website.

Gourmet Kayaking Weekend - Beach Camping

Next available date: Friday, July 13th, 2012

Price: $750.00 per person

Together with Sealegs Kayaking, Edible Canada has created brand new weekend gastronomic getaways paddling through the  stunning Gulf Islands.  Fine wines and gourmet food are featured, alongside river otters, bald eagles, and harbour seals.

Your chef and kayak guides will produce locally-sourced gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Previous menus have included specialties such as pasture raised Cowichan Bay duck breast and confit leg with fingerling potatoes, braised local greens and pinot noir reduction. All dinners are paired with local BC wines.

The weekend trip departs from Nanaimo, Vancouver Island on Friday morning at 8am and returns Sunday afternoon.

These weekends have sold out over the past 4 years, and are open to guests of all paddling ability. A relaxing and rewarding weekend awaits you. After full days on the water, and full tummies, enjoy camping under the stars on a beautiful isolated beach.

2012: July 13-15  |  July 20-22  |  July 27-29  |  August 10-12  |  August 17-19  |  August 24-26  |  September 7-9
$750.00 per person  

Sample Itinerary – Beach Camping Gourmet Kayaking Weekend

Friday ~

We’ll meet in Nanaimo on Friday morning at the Departure Bay BC Ferry terminal before driving to the nearby launch site near Cedar. Our guides will help stow your personal gear and go over paddling fundamentals and safety orientation before launching. With their  professional instruction and advice, you’ll soon be paddling confidently enroute to Pirates Cove. These waters are home to river otters and harbour seals, and close encounters are common.

After landing on a beautiful  island beach, you’ll sit back and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by our guides. Next we’ll establish our base camp where we’ll stay for the next two nights. After a tour of the area and choosing our tent sites, there will be free time to explore the many trails, go for a swim or simply relax and enjoy quality quiet time. Later uncork a bottle of BC wine and watch as your guide prepares a  lavish, flavourful dinner using locally sourced ingredients.

Saturday ~

After a delicious breakfast and locally roasted coffee, we’ll pack a lunch, gear and supplies for the day. We set out across Trincomali Channel for a morning of paddling along the shoreline of Valdez Island learning about the intertidal zone; a great time for photo opportunities of the dramatic sandstone cliffs. We enjoy lunch on the sunny white clam shell beach of Blackberry Point on Valdez Island. After lunch we can explore the island and the adventurous can hike to the highest point on Valdez, Mexicana Hill or alternatively, catch up on some napping. An inspiring view of the surrounding islands, channels and the Strait of Georgia is visible from here. We  return to our campsite later in the day with time to relax, swim, and sip a glass of wine  before dinner.

Sunday ~

Awake to the aromas of a hot breakfast being prepared  and  enjoy a coffee on the beach in the early morning sun. After breakfast, we repack the kayaks with our gear and bid adieu to our camp site. Along the route back, we may be fortunate enough to view more wildlife along the  sandstone cliffs. We’ll stop on one of the beaches along the way for a nutritious snack arriving back at our initial launch site at approximately 3 pm.

DETAILS

2012 DATES:

July 13-15 
July 20-22
July 27-29 
August 10-12
August 17-19 
August 24-26 
September 7-9 

DETAILS

Duration : 3 days / 2 nights
Minimum/Maximum Group Size: 8 / 12

Meeting Spot: The Departure Bay BC Ferry Terminal, in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island *Edible Canada can help you with travel plans to and from Vancouver Island
Accommodation: Beach Camping 
Activity Level: Novice Leisure

Your Weekend Includes:
• Professional & experienced kayaking guides & instruction
• Single & double kayaks
• Tents (sleeping bags and thermarests are available for a minor rental fee)
• All safety equipment
• All food, wine & beverages