Okanagan Eats has the treats

Do you like food?

Do you like wine spirits?

Do you like beer?

If you answered yes to any of the above—and even if you didn’t—you will want to mark next weekend on your calendar. That’s because the third annual Okanagan Eats Food Show will be held at Kelowna Curling Club.

The event brings together and showcases like-minded people who have a desire to experience food, wine spirits and beers. This is done while promoting education, shopping for unique retail and grocery items, and much more.

“Being the least expensive food show in the area, Okanagan Eats allows people to casually stroll, shop, taste and learn from some of the area’s best curators, chefs and 'foodpreneurs,'” Okanagan Eats producer Rhonda Tannahill says.

There are five main elements that will make up the two-day event, which is scheduled for Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. Those sections are:
• the market section for vendors to promote their products/brands/services while offering retail sales to customers;
• the restaurant section, where attendees can purchase small plates on a token system;
• the tasting section, where customers can enjoy themselves while sampling new wines, spirits, ciders or beer on a token system;
• the live stage, which features back-to-back cooking demos and friendly competitions. It is usually the highlight of the event, and this year the organization is bringing in Vancouver’s Trevor Bird as the celebrity chef;
• the beer garden, which will be situated to the live stage in order to allow you to watch all the action while enjoying a beverage or two.

Okanagan Eats Food Show is an all-ages event for those who have varying levels of food knowledge and skills.

“As we like to say, you don’t have to be a foodie to enjoy the show,” Tannahill says, “but we just might turn you into one.”

Bird, who will be bringing the star power to this year’s event, has two successful restaurants under his belt, along with an impressive list of international guest chef appearances. He was also a two-time finalist on Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Canada All-Stars.

The festivities will get underway at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26, and continue until 10 p.m. at Kelowna Curling Club. The doors will be open on Saturday from noon until 9 p.m.

Admission is $15 per day for adults, $5 per day for youth (age 7-15) and free for children six and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by visiting the event's website.