Eat! Vancouver Festival demonstrates the many facets of food and cooking

Spot prawn and lobster roll

Spot prawn season is in full swing and Coast restaurant gives you a chance to try them in a lovely seafood salad on a brioche roll.

 

 

Top three spirit samples

1. Japanese sake
   
   Learn about the different grades of this brewed rice beverage and how its made at theD Way Beverage distributor's booth. Then taste samples, like the top-shelf Gold Junmai Daiginjo, which is soon to be available on local liquor store shelves.
   
   
   
   
   Sake adviser Tom Tsuchiya teaches the finer aspects of the imported rice brew.
   
   
   
2.  B.C. absinthe
   
   The traditional spirit, infused with plants and herbs, has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years and Okanagan Spirits offers up it's own unique blend based on traditional European recipes. Canadian-made Taboo absinthe,  delightful licorice-flavoured drink, is worth a sampling by both aficionados and the curious.
   
   
   Tyler Johnson demonstrates the ritual preparation of absinthe.
   
   
   
3. Indian whisky and rum
   
   Purple Valley Imports offer some lesser-known yet equally-fine scotches and rum made in Bangalore, India. A good chance to samples spirits from off the beaten track.

Eat! Vancouver runs Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, at BC Place. Tickets are $14 purchased online beforehand, otherwise it's $16 dollars at the door. Everyone receives a free goodie bag with samples of Van Houtte coffee, Four O'Clock organic tea, Frank's RedHot sauce, Old Dutch spicy tortilla chips and a mail-in coupon for one free issue of Canadian Living.