THRILL OF THE GRILL: PACIFIC INSTITUTE OF CULINARY ARTS
HOSTS BBQ POP-UP AT GRANVILLE ISLAND CAMPUS JULY 25
BBQ Pop-Up, Week-Long Summer Cooking Camps for Kids and
Teens, Garlic Festival Appearance on Summer Schedule for PICA
School is out for summer, but Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICAChef) events and pop-ups are still in session this July and August at the Granville Island campus and beyond.
The latest offering of can’t-miss events featuring the PICA team of chefs and students includes a PICA BBQ Pop-Up at the campus’ Blue Hat Bakery Café on Sat., July 25th, a guest appearance for PICA students at The Sharing Farm Society’s Garlic Festival in Richmond on Sat., Aug. 15th and the final five week-long sessions of Summer Cooking Classes for kids and teens on July 20th and 27th and Aug. 10th, 17th and 31st.
PICA BBQ POP-UP AT BLUE HAT BAKERY CAFÉ
Saturday, July 25 from Noon to 3 p.m.
Summer cookout season is in full swing, and PICA chefs and students will fire up the grill for a special BBQ pop-up at the campus on Sat., July 25th from noon to 3 p.m.
Visitors are welcome to drop by and enjoy a casual BBQ lunch that comes packed with charcoal-grilled flavour thanks to a mouth-watering and affordable menu that includes Smoked Pork Shoulder, BBQ Corn Ribs and Chimichurri ($6), House-Made Watermelon Lemonade ($2) and Double Chocolate Brownies ($3).
This event is a quick and delicious way to support the next generation of chefs, grab a bite in the neighbourhood and enjoy a little summer cookout energy right at the entrance of Granville Island at 1505 West 2nd Ave.
PICA GUEST APPEARANCE AT RICHMOND GARLIC FEST
Saturday, August 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PICA students will head out into the community and lend a helping hand at the food stands that will be part of the annual Richmond Garlic Fest on Sat., Aug. 15th at the Sharing Farm Society (2771 Westminster Hwy).
This event — which has been a highlight of the Vancouver culinary calendar for more than a decade — is a celebration of sustainable agriculture and local garlic and supports the Sharing Farm Society’s work of cultivating nutritious, sustainably grown produce for community members facing food insecurity.
The festival, which attracts more than 5,000 people from around the Lower Mainland every year, showcases live birds of prey flying demonstrations, a children’s area, farmers’ market, food booths featuring garlic specials, live entertainment and more. Entrance to the Garlic Fest is by donation with a suggested minimum of $5 per person with all donations going directly to the Sharing Farm to support its work in the community. For more information on the Garlic Fest and the Sharing Farm Society, click here.
WEEK-LONG SUMMER COOKING CAMPS FOR KIDS & TEENS
Mondays through Fridays in July and August
This July and August, parents can help their budding chefs develop their skills during week-long Summer Cooking Camps full of food, fun and teamwork as participants dive into hands-on cooking and baking camps with professional chef-instructors and learn all-new recipes to recreate at home for friends and family.
Each day brings something new, from knife skills and a Mexican fiesta to pasta-making, baking day and a tour of global flavours in small, interactive classes designed to build real kitchen confidence and practical skills. The week-long events take place July 20th to 25th, July 27th to 31st, Aug. 10th to 14th, Aug. 17th to 21st and Aug. 31st to Sept. 4th and include a PICAChef branded apron to use in class and take home after the sessions. To find out more and sign up for the classes, click here.
The PICAChef campus and private waterfront event space — with complimentary parking for guests available at 1515 West 2nd Ave. — is also available to be booked for bespoke events like anniversaries, launch parties and corporate team building events. Enquire about availability here.