Many people tell me that I’m lucky to live in Kelowna, because it has such a great food scene for a city its size, but I disagree with them, Kelowna has a great food scene for a city of ANY size. Today we’ll look at a few of the exciting food and food related events coming to the area this spring. Get your calendar out, because you will not want to miss these dates.

March 4 – Duelling Chefs: 6 PM @ Cabana Grille (Lakeshore, across from Manteo)

It’s rare to find an event this good in a big city like Toronto or Vancouver, so I’m extremely excited that Kelowna will be playing host to its very own Iron Chef Style Competition between two Canadian Culinary giants. Mission Hill Winery Chef Michael Allemeier and Cabana Executive Chef Ned Bell (both formerly regulars on Food Network Canada’s Cook Like a Chef) will facing off in a culinary battle. Diners will be treated to courses from both chef’s and ultimately decide Kelowna’s King of Cuisine. I’ve heard rumours that tickets($125 each)  are sold out, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to check with the restaurant.

http://www.cabanagrille.com

March 5 – Neighbourhood Nosh: 4-7 PM @ The Laurel Packing House (Ellis + Cawston)

If you have never been to the wine museum at the Laurel, do yourself a favour and head down there the next time you need a bottle of wine. The museum (which is really more of a shop than anything) carries all the local VQA wines, and their knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. For Neighbourhood Nosh the staff will provide you with some complementary wine tastings as well as some appies. There is no charge for this event, and likewise no excuse for missing it.

http://www.kelownamuseums.ca

March 7 – Taste of Home: 5-9 PM @ The New Life Auditorium - 2041 Harvey Ave

This event is a foodie’s dream! The Kelowna Community Resources Immigrant Services and the Intercultural Society of the Central Okanagan have teamed up to bring us the 4th annual instalment of this event. Attendees get to sample a wide variety of food from different cultures and countries. The variety of food here is outstanding and can include everything from Nepalese to Southern BBQ and Norwegian to Caribbean. The stage also plays host to a variety of multicultural entertainment. Admission is free and tasting tickets are only $1!!!!! I have been to this event twice in the past and am very excited to be participating this year. You’ll be able to find me slinging pulled pork at the Southern BBQ booth.

http://www.tasteofhomekelowna.org

March 8 – Maple Fest: 11 AM-2 PM @ Kelowna Fish and Game Club (4087 Casorso)

To be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about this event, but the name definitely intrigues me. If I could speak French I could probably understand a lot more of the information on the Centre Culturel Francais De L’Okanagan (they are the host) website. What I do know, is that I love maple, the most Canadian of flavours. The event will of course have Maple Taffy, along with traditional food and folk music. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids aged 4-12.

http://www.leccfo.org

March 12 – Dining Out For Life: All Day @ Various Restaurants

I love to be able to help great causes, but I love it so much more when I can accomplish that by enjoying a meal at one of my favourite restaurants. On March 12th the more philanthropically inclined restaurants across North America will be donating 25% or more of their food sales to local HIV/AIDS charities. The money raised in the Okanagan will be donating to The Living Positive Resource Centre on Lawrence. The Cubbyhole in Penticton will be donating a whopping 75% of its food sales on the 12th, so if you can eat there please do. Penticton is a little too far out of my way, so I think I’ll aim for some Eggs Benny at the Bohemian to start my day, a Dragon Roll at Genjie for lunch, an afternoon Matcha at Chai Baba and the Flat Iron Steak at Waterfront Wines for dinner. Please see the dining out for life website for complete restaurant listings.

http://www.diningoutforlife.com/okanaganregion

March 29 – Taste of Kelowna: 11 AM-4 PM @ The Kelowna Curling Club

The Taste of Kelowna is probably Kelowna’s biggest and single day food event. They will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, so expect it to be bigger and better than ever. Over 30 restaurants from around town will be selling samples of over 100 dishes and beverages to a very eager public. If you want to try a ton of different food in one place look no further. I personally sampled 30-40 different dishes last year and while I was barely able to walk back to my car or move for three days it was well worth it. Unfortunately there is no website for the event, but I do know that admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children, and tasting tickets are just $1 each.

April 18 – Everyday Indian: 11AM @ Mission Hill Winery

If you love cooking and you love wine treat yourself to one of Mission Hill’s culinary classes. They are taught in a state of the art presentation kitchen and usually include 4-6 courses all pair with Mission Hill wines. For their April 18th course, they have brought in Chef Bal Arneson, the author of the highly anticipated “Everyday Indian” cookbook, due to hit stores in March. This class will focus on healthy and easy to make Indian dishes. The price tag of $105/person is certainly not cheap (and is significantly more expensive than their regular classes); you should remember that you’ll be receiving instruction from one of the most highly sought after teachers in Canada and a copy of her book ($30 retail).

http://www.missionhillwinery.com/guest_experience/CulinaryClasses.html

May 1 – 10 – Okanagan Spring Wine Festival

There probably aren’t any residents of the Okanagan who are legal drinking age, who don’t know about this event. The Okanagan wine festivals (spring, summer, and fall) draw thousands of tourists to the region every year. This year’s spring guests will have more than 100 events to choose from including tastings, and winemakers’ dinners.

http://www.owfs.com

June 21 – Smoke on the Water BBQ Festival: 11 AM-7 PM @ Waterfront Park

I may be a bit biased as I am chairing the event this year, but this is my favourite Okanagan food event. This competitive BBQ festival attracts teams from around the Pacific Northwest and from as far away as Saskatchewan to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money and a berth in the world championships in Kansas City. The event also features a Rib Cookoff for amateurs and a Best Burger in Town Competition for local Restaurants. Spectators can sample delicious food, enjoy a cold drink in the beverage garden right on the beach, browse the BBQ Market for local foods, handicrafts and other products, watch their kids run around the Kidzone, and take in the show on the entertainment stage.

http://www.kelownabbq.com

If you have any questions  or comments please contact me Alex@thoughtsfrommybelly.com