Vancouver\u2019s beloved Spot Prawn Festival is officially returning for its twentieth year next month, offering folks an opportunity to\u00a0shell-ebrate the start of B.C.\u2019s spot prawn season.<\/p>\n
Here, chefs, fishers, and food lovers of all kinds gather to celebrate the province\u2019s most iconic and sustainable seafoods at Fishermen\u2019s Wharf in False Creek.<\/p>\n
This year, there will be multiple ways to enjoy the start of the season. In addition to free access to the docks, cooking demos, and the educational marketplace, this year will see the return of the popular $12 Prawn and Seafood Chowder and Bun.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the $85 Spot Prawn Brunch \u2014 a grazing stand-up style experience offering a tasting menu of six different spot prawn dishes from multiple popular Vancouver restaurants \u2014 will be returning as well.<\/p>\n
Participating chefs include Ben Kiely (PICAchef), Bobby Milheron (Maxine\u2019s Caf\u00e9 and Bar), Christopher Janowski (Sunflower Caf\u00e9), David Lee (Vancouver Aquarium), Jay Park (Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar), Jitin Kapoor (Glowbal), Kailash Chandra (Sula Indina Restaurant), Lina Caschetto (Say Hey Cafe), Malindi Taylor and Alex Guido (Fanny Bay Oyster Bar), Raimund Heuser (Blue Water Caf\u00e9), Steve Kuan (Torafuku), Tyler Prevette (Folietta Ristorante and Bar), and Ysmael Media and Catalino III Javier (Halina Modern Filipino Kitchen and Bar). Six chefs will be featured at each brunch, but final lineups may vary due to scheduling.<\/p>\n
However, while this year\u2019s festival is a celebration, event organizers Chefs\u2019 Table Society of BC and Pacific Prawn Fishermen\u2019s Association have shared that this is happening during a time of uncertainty for the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cChina\u2019s tariffs have significantly reduced export prices for BC spot prawns, leaving many harvesters struggling to maintain viable operations,\u201d said Fraser MacDonald of Pacific Prawn Fishermen\u2019s Association. \u201cThat\u2019s why building strong domestic demand is more important than ever. Events like the Spot Prawn Festival help connect British Columbians directly to our product and support the people behind this fishery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each year, the Spot Prawn Festival helps grow the domestic appreciation for local spot prawns, while raising vital funds for Chefs\u2019 Table Society programs including culinary sholarships, mentorship, and sustainability initiatives, as well as spporting The Commons by CTS \u2014 a dynamic new culinary hub in Vancouver dedicated to presrving B.C.\u2019s rich food heritage while fostering education, industry connection, and the next generation of culinary talent.<\/p>\n
The Spot Prawn Festival is taking place on Sunday, May 31. Tickets for the Prawn and Seafood Chowder and Spot Prawn Brunch are currently available online<\/a>, each with its own time slot.<\/p>\n Spot Prawn Festival<\/p>\n When:\u00a0Sunday, May 31 Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok<\/a><\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0False Creek Fishermen\u2019s Wharf \u2014 1505 W. 1st Ave., Vancouver
Cost:\u00a0Free entry, $12 for Prawn and Seafood Chowder and Bun, $85 for Spot Prawn Brunch<\/a><\/p>\n