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Devour Kelowna
View of the center of the Centre for Learning – transformed into a night of foodie fun!
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Chef at Devour
Dave Stephenson, president of Sysco Food, and his wife Lisa are ready to taste Chef Stuart Klassen’s Onion Bacon Duck Confit, Burnt Orange Cream, Potato Cup and Basil Onion paired with Intrigue Wines’ Social Red Blend.
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Raudz at Devour
At the 2015 Devour event, Andrew Schneider, assistant restaurant manager at Raudz Regional Table, stands behind the display of a Foie Gras Cones, made with Festers Spiced Chocolate, Duck Crackle and Fresh Apple Salad.
Even if you love snow, there’s something special about turning the calendar over and realizing it’s March. Now you have even more to look forward to besides the inevitability of spring.
On March 5, get out and experience Devour, one of Kelowna’s best events. If you are a food, wine, beer, cider and spirits lover, you must attend. What exactly is Devour? It’s an evening of entertainment and indulgence where you’ll be treated to delicacies created by the Okanagan’s best chefs, mixologists and suppliers of great food and drink.
Devour Kelowna was started by Holly Dober in 2014. While Devour is a fairly young event, in its two previous years it garnered accolades and praise from foodies across Canada. Holly truly does know how to put on an event, and it sold out both years.
The event is held at Okanagan College in the Centre for Learning. Each year, Holly and her team take the space from one of higher learning to one of the classiest, unique venues in town. Two floors of food and drink await you as music pumps through the speakers and the smell of dozens and dozens of tasty treats vie for your attention.
Your evening will start being greeted at the door and checking your coat. You’ll be given a score card with a list of vendors as well as a Devour plate. Your job for the evening is to taste, eat, drink, indulge and enjoy all (or as much as you can) they have to offer. Sample your way through foodie heaven and make sure you make notes.
Devour is a dual-judged event, where vendors are chosen as Best Sip, Best Bite, or Best Pairing. The first set of awards comes from the three guest judges (foodies chosen from across Canada). The People’s Choice awards come from you and all the other attendees at Devour.
Last year there were over 30 dishes to sample, and more cocktails, spirits, wines and beers than I could count. Yes, this is an event where you need a designated driver or a taxi ride home!
If that isn’t enough to tempt you, Devour has a philanthropic side to it. Some of the proceeds from ticket sales go to the Okanagan Chef’s Association (OCA). The OCA places a high value on supporting and mentoring junior chefs, as well as providing bursaries which foster and encourage culinary education.
It’s time to get out of the winter fog and there’s no better way than attending this three-hour event that involves taste bud treats, tummy teasers, and tantalizing titbits, so get your tickets now! Tickets sold out fast last year so be sure to get yours right away.
For information and tickets, go to devourkelowna.ca.