Dine Around Victoria February 21 – March 9 As of press time, 55 restaurants and 28 hotels have signed up for this popular annual event. During the 18-day festival each day Secret Diners will fan out across Victoria and anonymously visit participating restaurants to sample the menus and wines—the next day their review will appear online. To read all about it go to www.tourismvictoria.com/dine. about the animals & families that have produced these beauties for generations. They will cut 5 cheeses, from the 30lb English Blue Stilton to the 225lb Organic Swiss Mountain Emmenthaler. Bring the family & taste the history & tradition of the cheese making craft. 11am. Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen. 2272 Oak Bay Ave. 592 4080. www.ottaviovictoria.com May 25 | The ICC Local Food Festival "Defending our Backyard" at Fort Rodd Hill, This Event is to raise awareness and the challenges of local food production and sustainability within the region of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Many non profit and applicable resource groups will be on hand to help promote these issues. Educational seminars of all facets on local production, top chefs, restaurateurs, local producers and concerned citizens will also be on site for this event. Live entertainment, great local food and drinks will be there to help ensure a great day for families and all attendees. Tickets are available through your local VQA shops and ICC members restaurants. www.iccbc.ca May 31-June 7 | A Gastronomical Tour of Tuscany Join Chef Angelo Prosperi-Porta of Cooper’s Cove Guesthouse as he returns to Tuscany in search of more inspiration from the freshest ingredients and traditional dishes of Italy for his interactive dinners and cooking classes. Visit www.abbondanzatoscana.com or www.cooperscove.com or contact Angelo at info@cooperscove.com June 6-8 | Ultimate Test Drive Weekend on Vancouver Island Join Edible British Columbia founder Eric Pateman on a three day culinary adventure behind the wheel of a new high performance Audi. Groups are limited to 12 lucky people (6 couples). Drive on some of BC’s most scenic roads while learning about and sampling firsthand BC’s best local foods. The Spring tour showcases Sooke and area. Other dates and locations include April 11-13 (Okanagan), September 19-21 (Okanagan), October 10-12 (Tofino and area). www.edible-britishcolumbia.com. August 23 | Taste of Scotland Whisky Tour The An Quaich Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada, in cooperation with Perfect Planning, is putting on this 16 day tour to showcase the history, similarities, and differences of the finest distilleries in the Lowlands, Highlands, Speyside and Islands of Scotland. For more information contact David Matthew 250 767 0093. October 24 | Paris to Prague Join Victoria sommelier Stuart Brown on an intimate 12 day culinary and wine journey though the regions of central Europe. For more information contact Rick at 595 1181 or rick@totemtravel.ca

ONGOING Sanuk Sommelier Series of Wine Multi-course Wine Dinners at Sanuk with PanAsian menus created by Chef Patrick Lynch. (dates to be announced) More more info: 250920 -4844 or pspooner@sanukinfusion.com Every Tuesday at 2pm - Coffee Cupping at Habit Coffee & Culture. Come join the fantastic and knowledgeable staff at Habit in a formal coffee tasting, involving all the senses. Learn about their specialty beans and roasts. 552 Pandora Ave. 294 1127 To March 20 - Spring Prelude Afternoon Tea package This package includes admission to The Butchart Gardens and Afternoon Tea. $36.65. 250 652 8222. www.butchartgardens.com To April 28 – East Meets West Tea Tasting Menu at The Mark The Hotel Grand Pacific’s ‘restaurant within a restaurant’ presents this inspired Tea Tasting Menu, developed by Chefs Rick Choy and Michael Minshull. $75 per person. www.themark.ca To the end of 2008 - Celebrate 100 years of Fine Dining with The Empress To mark their 100th anniversary this year, the Empress Room will be featuring a Table D’hote Menu featuring menu items from throughout our last 100 years. They will have monthly themes such as “Classics from the Past�, “ Royal Visits�, “Favourites of Francis Rattenbury�, “Dining during the Prohibition Years�. Menus will range from $75 to $95 per person, and wine pairings will be optional. Dining Reservations at 995 4688. Cooper’s Cove Guesthouse Tuscany Tour This spring for a one week food, wine and cooking tour. www.cooperscove.com or toll free 1877-642-5727

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March 15 | St Patrick's Day Celebrations McLean's Specialty Foods will celebrate St Patrick's Day with select Irish cheeses and condiments and all things green! Live music will be provided by special guest, master piper Bill Poppy who will entertain customers playing the Uilleann pipes, the traditional Irish bagpipes. Nanaimo. www.mcleansfoods.ca March 24 & April 28 | Bayside Wine Club Shop and stock in a relaxed environment, while sampling wines and entering to win great prizes. Free reusable 6-bottle wine totes with purchase of 6 bottles. $5 tasting fee. 6:308pm. Bayside Wine & Spirits at the Quality Resort Bayside, Parksville. 250 248 8333 April 6th | Classes at Fairburn Farm Stinging Nettle Festival A Celebration of the Spontaneous Greens of Spring! Spring Boot Camp 6 Days of Extreme Cooking! Fairburn Farm Culinary Retreat and Guesthouse www.fairburnfarm.bc.ca 250 746-4637 April 6 | McLean's 16th Anniversary From its modest beginnings in 1992, McLean's has grown to become a major foodie stop on Vancouver Island. Join them for their birthday celebrations, to continue throughout April. www.mcleansfoods.ca. Saturdays | Wine Tastings at Gabriola Island Village Liquor Store Samplings of import and BC wines. 2-5 pm at the Village Liquor Store at Folklife Village, Gabriola Island. www.vlsgabriola.com

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3UNDAY BRUNCH AND AN OCEANFRONT VIEW UNLIKE ANY OTHER

March 22 | Quails' Gate Library Tasting A tutored tasting and comparison of older vintages from Quails' Gate Wine Library. 1.800 420.9463 ext 221 quailsgate.com April 4 | Okanagan Fest of Ale Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, 250 492.4355

CANADA April 4-6 | Toronto Wine & Cheese Show www.towineandcheese.com

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