RIPE 2015
A bountiful harvest celebration brings chefs together with local farmers, winemakers, and craft beverage producers to raise funds for Vancouver Farmers Markets.
Vancouver Farmers Markets, the non-profit organizer of nine weekly farmers markets in the city, is partnering with top farm-to-table chefs and a selection of local farms and producers to host RIPE 2015, its 6th Annual Harvest Celebration at the Roundhouse on Sunday, October 18, 2015.
RIPE 2015 will feature 10 unique, farmers market-inspired tastings stations created by an all-star lineup of local chefs paired with VFM producers. As the signature event of VFM’s 20th anniversary year, RIPE will feature three times the usual number of participating chefs, including Ned Bell (YEW Seafood+Bar), Chris Whittaker (Forage), Jonathan Chovancek (Bittered Sling/Café Medina), Andrea Carlson (Burdock & Co.), Quang Dang (West), Meeru Dhalwala (Vij’s/Rangoli), Jacob Deacon-Evans (Supermarine), Ryan Reed (Nomad), Karen McArthy (Graze), and Vanessa Bourget (Exile Bistro).
“RIPE really celebrates the connections between farmers and chefs that begin at the markets,” says VFM’s Executive Director Tara McDonald. “Some of these restaurants and producers are being paired for the first time, but others have been working together for years, using the markets as both a delivery depot and a place for exchanging ideas and collaboration.”
Guests will be invited to circulate throughout the tasting stations, chatting with the chefs and their farmer “teammates” while enjoying seasonal cocktails mixed by some of VFM’s newly approved alcohol vendors, including Legend Distilling from Naramata, and local distilleries Odd Society Spirits and Yaletown Distilling. Rounding out the craft beverage offerings is beer provided by R&B Brewing Co. and a selection of wines from BC Wine Studio. A sumptuous selection of small-bite sweets and desserts served with Salt Spring Coffee will top the evening off.
RIPE 2015 will also feature a silent auction with some exclusive prizes that organizers hope will entice guests to open their pocketbooks, including: a Listel Hotel experience, a weekend get-away for two to Hollyhock Centre on Cortes Is., and a Southern-style Picnic for ten from Blue Smoke BBQ. There will also be a live “donation drive”, lead by RIPE host and Vancouver’s Man About Town Fred Lee, with the aim to raise funds for VFM’s operations and various educational events, demos, and community programs.
Tickets for RIPE 2015 are on sale now. Visit eatlocal.org/ripe-2015 for tickets and more information.
