Healthy Chef Competition: Ten culinary establishments from established restaurants and hotels to culinary schools will present entrées and desserts to judges Wednesday, March 7, 6: 30 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 665 Burrard St., Vancouver. The judges will evaluate each competitor's use of fresh produce, taste and plate display. Trophies will be awarded for best entrée, best dessert, best table showcase, people's choice and the healthy plate award. Guests will receive an envelope at their seat indicating which entrée and dessert they will receive. Admission: $85 which includes a fresh box of produce. Tickets: www. healthychef2012.eventbrite. com.
Edible Canada Market Dinner Series: Multi course seasonally inspired dinners prepared right in front of your eyes paired with select B.C. and Canadian wine, beer and spirits. Chef Ned Bell of Yew at the Four Seasons will be featured Monday, March 12. Cost: $85. Chef Todd Howard of CinCin will be featured Wednesday, March 28. Cost: $85. Dinners will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at Edible Canada at the Market, 1551 Johnston St. on Granville Island, Vancouver. Info: www.ediblecanada.com. Reservations: 604-558-0040.
The East Van Wine Academy will present a wine event hosted by wine writer and consultant Kurtis Kolt Tuesday, March 13, 6: 30 p.m. at the The Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings St., Vancouver. Blending Bootcamp, a virtual tour and tasting through the Okanagan Valley will be cohosted by Tinhorn Creek's winemaker Sandra Oldfield. Cost: $40. Info: www. eastvanwineacademy.com.
Winemaker's Dinner: Premium wines from Italy's Tenuta Sant'Antonio will be in the spotlight at an exclusive five-course dinner Wednesday, March 14, 6: 30 p.m. to be held at La Quercia restaurant, 3689 West Fourth Ave., Vancouver. The evening will be hosted by Aldo Steccanella, export manager for Tenuta Sant'Antonio. Tickets: $150. For more information or to make a reservation: 604-676-1007, www.tenutasantantonio. it or www.laquercia.ca.
Bravo! For Dine Around & Stay in Town: More than 50 of Victoria's restaurants will participate in the 12th year of this event until March 16. Along with three-course menus in three price categories, food lovers are invited to take advantage of accommodation packages also offered and stay in town. A complete list of participating restaurants and hotels is available at www.tourismvictoria.com/ dine.
Dine Around Comox Valley: A monthlong annual event that celebrates local cuisine will run until March 18. A total of 25 Comox Valley restaurants will partake in the campaign by creating three-course, prix fixe meals - each available to diners for $15, $25 or $35. The gastronomical bounty of the Comox Valley's land and sea will be showcased. For information about the restaurants and accommodations participating in this year's Dine Around Comox Valley, visit www.discovercomoxvalley.com/ promotions/dine_around.htm.
Book Signing: Meet Montreal Chef Martin Picard over snacks and good cheer Thursday, March 29, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Books to Cooks, 1740 West Second Ave., Vancouver. Picard will be signing his new book Sugar Shack which celebrates the rustic traditional foods of maple sugar shacks. Tickets: $85 which includes a signed copy of the book. Registration: 604-688-6755. Info: www. bookstocooks.com.
Dining Out for Life will take place Thursday, March 29. A record 250 restaurants in Vancouver and Whistler will participate with 25 per cent of food sales going to support people living with HIV/AIDS through Friends for Life and a Loving Spoonful. A list of participating restaurants can be found at www.diningoutforlife.com/vancouver/ restaurants.
