Got Craft returns to the Maritime Labour Centre in East Vancouver for their Spring Market. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th at 1880 Triumph Street from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Their Spring Market will feature over 80 makers, designers and creative entrepreneurs. You can expect to find a variety of goods including clothing, jewellery, art, homewares, greeting cards, ceramics and much more. There will also be a selection of food trucks on hand including NaMi Vietnamese, Melt City Grilled Cheese and Planted Love. For those early birds, the first 50 people through the door each day will receive one of their legendary swag bags. Tickets for the event are $5 and available online, kids 12 and under are free. This is a perfect weekend to pick up something special just in time for Mother’s Day.
New In Town – Mocktails On Commercial Drive
6 AprWe popped into the newly opened Mocktails on Commercial Drive this weekend. If you want some alcohol free refreshments for yourself, or to serve your guests, this is the place to be. This boutique style shop, created by Angela Hansen, features a wide variety of alcohol free offerings including wine, spirits and beer. You can also expect to find a great variety of non-alcoholic mocktails including bellinis, margaritas, whiskey cola, gin and tonic. They do offer tastings on select products in store which was well underway when we stopped in Saturday afternoon. Mocktails is located at 1250 Commercial Drive across the street from Grandview Park. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am into the evening most days. Next time you are on The Drive, pop in and check out all the refreshments that we are sure will make for great sipping on the patio and beach this summer.
Photo Credit: Mocktails Vancouver
Summer Farmer Markets In East Vancouver
29 MarThe summer season for Vancouver Farmer Markets kicks off on Saturday, April 6th. Trout Lake Farmers Market is back, as is the perennial favourite Riley Park Farmers Market. Both markets feature an array of local vendors offering fruits, vegetables, flowers, beverages, baked goods, pre-made meals, soups, condiments and so much more. We encourage you to stop by and support our local producers. To see a full listing of all markets hosted by Vancouver Farmers Market and which vendors will be attending each week, visit eatlocal.org.
Trout Lake Farmers Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Saturday: April 6, 2024 – October 26, 2024
Location: Lakewood Drive & E 13th Avenue
Riley Park Farmers Market
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Saturday: April 6, 2024 – October 26, 2024
Location: 30th Avenue and Ontario Street
First Pick Handmade At The Heritage Hall March 31st
28 MarIf you are looking for things to do this long weekend, we invite you to check out First Pick Handmade at the Heritage Hall this Sunday. This amazing market will host 33 local designers that create a variety of handmade items from fashion to skin care to cosmetics. Some of the designers on hand include Jessica Redditt Design, Irit Sorokin, Bukoro Bag Co., What’s Her Face, After Times Art, Asiri Cosmetics, Mossy Mind Herbs to name a few. Whether you are looking for something for your home, for yourself, or a gift, there will be lots to choose from. Be sure to stop by and check out all the amazing talent. First Pick Handmade happens Sunday, March 31st from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $3.00 at the door.
Eastside Flea Spring Markets
2 MarIn case you hadn’t heard, The Eastside Flea Spring Markets are in full swing every weekend until March 23, 204. They are in their new space at 1101 Union Street with 50+ vendors, food trucks, photo booth, patio seating. They will have lots of vintage along side handmade items. You can also expect find local craft brews, Spring cocktails & non-alcoholic beverages. Admission is $5.00. Market runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Gourmet Warehouse Lines Up Delish Cooking Classes This The New Year
16 Jan
Gourmet Warehouse has lined up another round of great cooking and baking classes this New Year. If you haven’t already experienced one of their classes, it is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with some like-minded food lovers. If you have participated, you know it’s a great way to pick up some knowledge and great tips in the kitchen. Added bonus is that after each cooking and/or baking class all the participants are offered a 10% discount for purchases made the day of your class. We have set out a few of their upcoming classes that caught our eye. For a full line up of all the classes Gourmet Warehouse is offering visit Cooking Classes. Heads up if you see a class you like, we encourage you to book your spot, classes do regularly sell out.
COOKIES WITH LIZZY: EAT YOUR HEART OUT – February 4, 2024
Chef Lizzy Wong from Butter Baked Goods with be on hand to teach you how to decorate cookies for that special occasion. Chef Wong will be using classic Royal Icing Techniques for this class. Specifically, you will learn about consistencies, colour, piping and much more so you have some showpiece cookies for Valentine’s Day. On arrival, you will be greeted with a mimosa as well as baked goods and small bites to nibble on during class. Plus, each participant will leave beautifully decorated cookies to take home.
MENU
• Doughnut Heart.
• Heart Pizza
• Ice Cream Heart
OPA! A NIGHT IN THE GREEK ISLANDS –
March 13, 2024
Chef Deniz Tarakcioglu is back to host this popular cooking class in which you will learn about the vibrant flavours from this part of the Mediterranean. These includes some traditional favourites such as Spanakopita, Ling Cod Souvlaki and Baklava. The menu for this upcoming class is set out below:
MENU
• Spanakopita, Traditional Greek Spinach Pie with Barrel Aged Feta, Leeks and Herbs, Dressed Watercress.
• Roasted Halloumi with Coriander Honey and Pistachios, Crispy Pita.
• Ling Cod Souvlaki with Wild Oregano and Herb Marinade, Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Greek Salad with Olives, Tzatziki.
• Walnut Baklava with Sweet Cream.
FREE & FLAVOURFUL: GLUTEN FREE & DAIRY FREE DELIGHTS –
March 26, 2024
Learn to make flavourful dishes with Chef Alan Pavlakovic while accommodating dietary restrictions. Chef Alan will teach you tips and techniques so that you are not compromising taste or texture by eliminating gluten or dairy from your cooking repertoire. The menu for this upcoming class is set out below:
MENU
• Nu Waldorf Salad, Sweet Apples, Creamy Herb Dressing, and Candied Walnuts.
• Aleppo Beef Stuffed Peppers with Smoked Paprika Cashew “Cheese” Sauce.
• Chicken and Salumi Risotto with Porcini and Asparagus.
• Avocado Chocolate Mousse.
To see all the classes being offered and or to register, we invite you to visit GourmetWarehouse.ca.
Photo Credit: Gourmet Warehouse
East Van Dumpling Fest Crawl January 17, 2024
15 DecAs part of the Dine Out Vancouver Festival, Vancouver Foodster aka Richard Wolak, invites you to join him on a self-guided tour to experience some delicious dumplings. The East Van Dumpling Fest Crawl is set for January 17, 2024 with a starting point at Grandview Park at 6:00 pm. From there you will visit a variety of restaurants and be offered a Tasting Plate of dumplings at each stop. They have quite the variety of eats lined up including Chinese dumplings, Italian gnocchi, Nepalese momos, Mexican tamales, Japanese gyoza and more. This is a great way to check out a variety of different spots with other like minded folks. Tickets for this event are now available with early bird pricing available until December 24, 2023 at $69 per person. After that, tickets are available for $79 per person until January 14, 2024. Not only would this be a delicious event to attend, it would make a great gift of experience for the food lover in your life. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
8th Annual McSpadden County Fair Happens September 10th
16 AugWhile summer continues in full swing, there are fun things to look forward to this September. One of which is the 8th Annual McSpadden Country Fair being held on Sunday, September 10th in McSpadden Park. This is a community event that features fun activities for the whole family including live music, games, local vendors, food trucks and the ever popular East Van zucchini races. If you have an idea on how to make a zucchini go fast, now’s your chance! Be warned though, there is stiff competition for bragging rights. If you cycle, Kickstand will be on hand doing bike tunes up by donation. As with any country fair, there will be raffles, contests and prizes. The 8th Annual McSpadden County Fair takes place in McSpadden Park, 2125 Victoria Drive, between 11:00 and 5:00 pm. To learn more about the event and all the activities, you can visit them on online at www.mcspaddenfair.ca or on Facebook.
Britannia Plaza Market Returns Weekly June 28 – October 4
24 JunThe Britannia Plaza Market returns this summer. This is an outdoor market that takes place just outside of the Britannia Community Centre. The market runs every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm from June 28th to October 4th. You are invited to stop by and check out some local producers, artists and makers which will showcase a variety of items each week including fresh produce, homemade treats, artisanal goods and much more.
If you are interested in being a vendor, you are invited to reach out to the organizers at artbritannia@gmail.com.