A Grand time at the Dine Out Vancouver Festival kickoff – The Grand Tasting

Last night Dine Out Vancouver Festival presented the kick-off event The Grand Tasting at the Rocky Mountaineer Station.

The evening was an opportunity to taste bites from fourteen local restaurants that are participating in Dine Out Vancouver Festival which begins today and runs through February 4th. Alongside the culinary stations was a representation of BC wineries. This included 27 wineries, four breweries, cideries and distillers. So basically two stations of libations for every culinary station.

I first zereod in on some of my favourite wineries while rushing to take images of every wine station before slowing the pace and taking the opportunity to taste some wines not as familiar. Then it was back for another taste for a couple favourites all interspersed with tasty bites.

With thanks to the BC Hospitality Foundation volunteers who worked diligently throughout the evening to help make this event a great success. Please keep the BC Hospitality Foundation in mind, proceeds from the 50/50 draw and silent auction go to charitable work, which includes assisting hospitality workers who are facing financial crisis due to extraordinary medical circumstances, as well as scholarships for students studying in the hospitality field at select BC schools.

The BCHF is particularly delighted that Rocky Mountaineer has donated an outstanding lottery Grand Prize, a luxury train trip for 2 on Rocky Mountaineer. The prize is valued at nearly $5,200. Tickets will be sold online at Dine Out Vancouver Festival raffle. The prize draw will take place on February 4, 2019.  The Grand Prize trip must be taken between April 15 and October 13, 2019. Blackout dates apply.

Just in case you’re wondering what I munched and quaffed during this evening of culinary delights and excellent BC wine presented at Dine Out Vancouver Festival – The Grand Tasting this will give you an idea.

So here we go, time to get into my cups. In all fairness I couldn’t possibly taste every wine so here are some old favourites and some new discoveries.

This link gives details of the event and lists all the restaurants, wineries, cideries and distillers that participated. Well worth taking a look if you haven’t already made reservations for Dine Out. This link gives you more information on each participating restaurant, including menus and reservation options.

With apologies to these fine wineries whose wines I did not have a chance to sample.

Look for these and other excellent BC wines as recommended wine pairings at participating restaurants for Dine Out Vancouver Festival.

Grab your tickets for the Dine Out Vancouver Festival lottery for a chance to win a luxury train trip for 2 on the Rocky Mountaineer, valued at nearly $5,200. Lottery proceeds will support the BC Hospitality Foundation’s charitable work, which includes assisting hospitality workers who are facing financial crisis due to a health issue as well as a scholarship program that fosters the development of the hospitality industry’s employees.Tickets now available for purchase at https://darelle.com/pp/7qr1g/.

Visiting from out of town or looking for a staycation? Remember to take advantage of Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s special room rates and culinary hotel packages. Aeroplan members from near and far will also have access to special privileges throughout the festival.

Dine Out Vancouver Festival runs January 18 to February 3, 2019, with support from premier partner Aeroplan and festival partner Wines of British Columbia, along with various preferred partners. For more information, visit www.dineoutvancouver.com.

About Dine Out Vancouver Festival
Produced by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver Festival is Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink. Attracting more than 100,000 locals and visitors, the festival takes over the city with 17 days of culinary events, prix fixe menus at 300-plus restaurants (at $15, $35, $25 or $45 price points), as well as “Dine and Stay” packages and special hotel rates. The festival promotes local and regional ingredients, BC VQA wines, and the city’s exceptional culinary talent. Dine Out’s premier partner is Aeroplan; festival partner is the Wines of British Columbia; and preferred partners include Air Canada, Kubera, OpenTable, The Westin Bayshore, Star Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Is Awesome, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver magazine, Where magazine, and Evo Car Share. Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2019 runs from January 18 to February 3. dineoutvancouver.com @DineOutVanFest #dovf

About Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Vancouver is the official destination marketing organization for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The not-for-profit, member-based organization represents over 1,000 tourism businesses in Metro Vancouver and beyond. Tourism Vancouver markets Vancouver as a premier leisure, business, meetings and group travel destination in strategic markets around the world. www.tourismvancouver.com

Feature image: Burrata, Heirloom tomato bruschetta, Water Street Cafe. I received complimentary tickets for myself and a guest to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own. Drink responsibly.