Because every good summer starts with a Spot Prawn Boil
2016 marks the 10th anniversary of Vancouver’s Spot Prawn Festival! It’s a time of the year that foodies, chefs, and restauranteurs look forward to with great anticipation. Touted as the most-juicy, delicate, sweet and visually-striking prawn, it’s clear why so many capitalize on the precious 6-8 week spot prawn season.
A decade ago, local chef, Robert Clark, started the Spot Prawn Festival as means to spread awareness; it was the first year that BC spot prawns would be available to local Vancouverites. Previously, over 90% BC’s seafood was sold overseas, with 100% of BC spot prawns going to foreign markets. The first Spot Prawn Festival marked the advent of a new beginning – quality seafood and sustainable practices would soon define Vancouver’s culinary scene.
The Spot Prawn Festival has evolved into a celebration of BC’s unparalleled seafood and dedication to responsible fishing.
Spot Prawn Season officially begins on May 13, 2016 – we’re chomping at the bit! Here are 9 Ways to Celebrate Spot Prawn Festival in Vancouver:
#1. Spot Prawn Boil
The signature Spot Prawn Boil is the most popular event of the Festival! On Sunday, May 15, thousands will head to Fishermen’s Wharf at Granville Island to enjoy plates of fresh-from-the-boat spot prawns, chef demonstrations, and artisan pairings. Tickets must purchased in advance.
****TICKET GIVEAWAY: Scroll to the bottom of this page to Enter to Win 2 Tickets to the Spot Prawn Boil + 2 Tickets to the Foodie Tour of your choice!****
#2. Try your hand at Spot Prawn Cooking Classes
New for 2016, purchase tickets online for a 1-hour cooking class revealing the secrets of how to purchase, store, prepare, and cook spot prawns. Tickets are $35 + tax and service charge.
#3. Get fancy at the Spot Prawn Gala
To kick off the season for 2016, The Spot Prawn Gala is a 6-course, black-tie (optional) soiree at the Vancouver Club! Tickets are $200 + tax and service charge.
#4. Shop Ocean Wise at The Fish Counter
Visit Chef Robert Clark’s seafood haven on Main Street. They make a mean Fish & Chips (and don’t forget the side of Fried Oysters)!
#5. Eat’ em live at Fishermen’s Wharf
Visit the docks at Fishermen’s Wharf for the freshest catch of the day! You can pick up fresh spot prawns straight from the boat.
#6. Learn what Ocean Wise actually means
The heart of Spot Prawn Festival is learning about the seafood industry! The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item is the Vancouver Aquarium’s assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. You can read the four Ocean Wise criteria here.
#7. Bookmark the Ocean Wise partner listing
You’ll have a list of local Ocean Wise restaurants, grocery stores and suppliers at your fingertips! Here’s the Ocean Wise partner listing.
#8. Prepare an Ocean Wise recipe
Here’s are 12 Spot Prawn Recipes from Vancouver chefs.
#9. Use the Ocean Wise symbol to celebrate with your stomach! Here are some of our favourite Ocean Wise dishes in Vancouver:
- Blue Water Cafe – Sablefish (miso sake glaze, baby bok choy, edamame, quinoa and shiitake mushrooms and yuzu dashi)
- Kaboom Box – featured on our World’s Best Food Truck Tour – Hot Smoked Salmon Sandwich
- Boulevard Restaurant – Seafood Tower for Two (wild sidestripe shrimp ceviche, albacore tuna tataki, read island mussel escabèche, dungeness crab louie, snow crab legs, wild shrimp, local oysters)
- Edible Canada at the Market – featured on our Granville Island Market Tour – Yukon Arctic Char Gravlax (Noteworthy gin, Vancouver Island sea salt, lemon crema, fresh dill, crusty bread)
- Bao Down Gastown – The YVR (sesame seared albacore tuna, pea shoots, double smoked bacon, avocado, wasabi mayo, sweet soy)
- Miku – Salmon Oshi Sushi (pressed wild BC sockeye salmon, jalapeno, Miku sauce)
A final tip for Spot Prawn Season: Keep up to date on social media to view the daily spot prawn features at local restaurants! Happy Feasting!
****CONTEST DETAILS: To Enter to Win 2 Tickets to the Spot Prawn Boil + 2 Tickets to the Foodie Tour of your choice:
A. Visit our Facebook and/or Instagram page and follow the instructions in contest posts! (Hint: You might need #9 from this list.)
or
B. Follow us on Twitter @vanfoodietours + RT any of our Spot Prawn tweets!
Winner will be notified on May 13, 2016. Spot Prawn Boil tickets are for Sunday, May 15 at 2:00pm. Foodie Tour tickets may be redeemed at any time.****
