Vancouver World Chef Exchange.
January 03 2024, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Vancouver’s much anticipated World Chef Exchange program returns on Tuesday, January 23 as part of Dine Out Vancouver, Canada’s largest food and drink festival – an annual event meant to showcase the diverse culinary offerings of the Lower Mainland.
The World Chef Exchange dinners are the pinnacle of culinary indulgence, and this year, partners world-renowned chefs with four Vancouver MICHELIN Guide-recognized chefs to bring Vancouverites four truly unforgettable meals.
Newly appointed Executive Chef of Bacaro, Chef Chanthy Yen, is partnering up with Snail Bar’s Andres Giraldo Florez (Oakland, USA), who has also worked in the kitchens of Per Se, French Laundry, and Saison.
Cambodian-born, Chef Chanthy brings a wealth of global culinary experiences and training, which includes serving as a personal chef to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and opening MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Nightshade in Vancouver. To prepare for his new venture at the Venetian-inspired Bacaro with Kitchen Table Restaurants, Chanthy travelled through the Veneto region of Italy, bringing back local influences and flavours to the restaurant’s revamped menu.
Together with Andres, Chanthy will be creating a special seasonally-focused, eight-course dinner paired with natural wines for Vancouver’s World Chef Exchange dinner at Bacaro. Expect a meal that marries the best of Venetian fare with Oakland’s vibrant food scene.
Where: Bacaro – 1029 W Cordova
Date: Friday, February 2
Cost: $295
Tickets: Available for purchase on Tock
Left: Chef Chanthy Yen, Right: Chef Andres Giraldo Florez
Having previously worked together in 2023 in an overseas Vancouver World Chef Exchange in London, Chef Andrea Carlson of MICHELIN Star restaurant, Burdock & Co. and Murano’s Angela Harnett (London, UK) are coming full circle by joining forces again to create a new special menu in Vancouver.
Vancouver native, Chef Andrea is known for her commitment to locally-sourced ingredients. A pivotal influence on the Lower Mainland’s locavore movement, Andrea’s food always has an incredible, and personal, origin story. Engaging in a strong philosophy rooted in the close connection between food and nature, the driving force behind Burdock & Co, Harvest Community Foods, and Bar Gobo, has worked in some of the finest kitchens in BC, including Bishop’s, C Restaurant, and Raincity Grill.
The two female chefs are creating five fantastic courses for this very special occasion, each a fusion of Pacific Northwest charm with refined Italian flavours.
Where: Burdock & Co. – 2702 Main Street
Date: Sunday, February 4
Cost: $175 - Optional wine pairings are available.
Tickets: Available for purchase on Tock
Left: Andrea Carlson, Right: Chef Angela Harnett
Chef Matt Gostelow of The Acorn has invited Wilsons’ newly-retired Chef Jan Ostle (Bristol, UK) to Vancouver for an exalted evening of plant-based fine-dining.
Like his Vancouver World Chef Exchange partner, Chef Matt is also a fellow British citizen, who immigrated to Canada in 2010. Having been locally trained in Vancouver, he was part of the opening team at The Acorn before working at other notable kitchens such as Ask For Luigi (Kitchen Table Restaurants) and Au Comptoir. Matt eventually returned to The Acorn where he elevated the restaurant’s locally-sourced, zero-waste philosophy to an apex of culinary excellence.
UK bred Chefs Matt and Jan will be serving a 5+ multi-course, family-style tasting menu that is veggie-forward and will be paired with an option of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
Where: The Acorn – 3995 Main Street
Date: Tuesday, January 23
Cost: $175
Tickets: Available for purchase on Tock
Left: Chef Matt Gostelow, Right: Chef Jan Ostle
Chef Warren Chow of MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant, Wildlight Kitchen + Bar will be collaborating with Elgin’s Chef Curtis Demyon (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam) for an epic culinary adventure.
As the first recipient of the MICHELIN Young Chef Award in Vancouver, Chef Warren brings a classically-trained French background to this year’s chef exchange. With multiple awards under his belt, this born and bred BC native has a long roster of restaurants he has thrived at, including Bauhaus, Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, and The PearTree Restaurant.
Returning home to Canada from Vietnam, Chef Curtis partners with Warren to celebrate the Vancouver World Chef Exchange by creating a global culinary experience through a six-course meal – which will include welcome bubbles, snacks, and curated wine and cocktail pairings.
Where: Wildlight Kitchen + Bar – #107-5380 University Boulevard
Date: Thursday, February 1
Cost: $265
Tickets: Call to Book
Left: Chef Warren Chow, Right: Chef Curtis Demyon
Vancouver Dine Out Festival starts on January 17 though February 4. If you’re looking for more great recommendations to indulge your taste buds, check out Vancouver’s Best Wine Bars.
