iN VIDEO: Successful Vancouver artisanal food festival coming to Okanagan
A boutique artisanal food festival is coming to Kelowna for the first time this spring and tickets are available this week.
Foodies can interact with local farmers and vendors, taste their products and hear the stories behind the food and beverages at the Cheese and Meat Festival in May.
“At first we built the festival around charcuterie but we quickly learned we needed to expand to include artisanal foods and beverages related to charcuterie,” Cheese and Meat Festival founder David Bain said. “A big part is teaching guests how to best pair specialty food items together.”
The festival originated in Victoria seven years ago and grew to include Vancouver, Seattle, Portland and now Kelowna. Bain said the U.S. border isn't a border for the specialty food movement.
There are already 43 vendors gearing up for the Kelowna festival and more waiting until Bain can see how many tickets are purchased to make sure there is a balance.
“We will never go above a boutique level in order to let guests actually engage with vendors and not be stuck in lineups waiting,” he said. “We want guests to leave knowing how to create amazing meals at dinner parties, and what to choose from the many specialty products at grocery stores. There is a need for it.”
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Festival fare will include anything that accompanies meat and cheese, like pickled items and even chocolate and sweets. There will be beers, wines, ciders and non-alcoholic beverages like kombucha and coffee.
The festival will be held at the Laurel Packinghouse in Kelowna on Saturday, May 13. Tastings are at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Guests will receive their own tasting glass and charcuterie board.
Tickets range from $45 to $119, and go on sale Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased here.
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