It might be called EAT! Vancouver, but we’re here for the drinks.

Which is why we were thrilled to discover that the annual foodie festival is returning to Vancouver Nov. 5-10 with more than 37 acclaimed chefs and 18 events, including a luxurious all-new cognac event.

Billed as a top-shelf celebration of one of the world’s great spirits, EAT! Fine Cognac will see 35 of the finest cognacs, such as Bache-Gabrielson, Courvoisier, Camus, Martell and Chateau Montifaud (some of which are currently unavailable in B.C.) convening at the Pinnacle Hotel the evening of Nov. 6 for your “hedonistic enjoyment.” To heighten the experience, food pairings will complement the tasting and rare cognacs will be available for purchase on-site from Legacy Liquor. Tickets are $175 plus tax and the event is limited to 200 guests. 

Not to be outdone, that same evening you can also head to Gastown to experience the soul-warming world of bourbon and Southern hospitality at the Clough Club, joining bar and beverage director Trevor Kallies and chef Sarah Stewart of the Donnelly Group for an exclusive multi-course, multidimensional deep dive. The Nov. 6 event is limited to 35 guests only, with tickets $75 plus tax. 

American Express pre-sale tickets will be released for EAT! Vancouver June 25-27, with tickets on sale for the general public June 28 here. All events are restricted to persons 19 years of age and older and ID is required.

Once again, net proceeds from this year’s EAT! Vancouver festival will support Project CHEF, a local charitable organization that teaches elementary school children about healthy cooking and eating via a curriculum-based experiential program. According to EAT! Vancouver, the festival contributed $25,000 last year, which enabled Project CHEF to offer its program to 556 children and 350 parent volunteers.

For a list of participating chefs and more information, visit eat-vancouver.com.

 –By Kelsey Klassen