Event Type : Culinary

Paella Guys joins Bite of Burnaby 2026 with a special series of Paella Masterclasses led by Chef Javier Blanc, bringing people together around paella as it is meant to be enjoyed—shared, generous, and rooted in tradition. This immersive experience celebrates community, learning, and the vibrant spirit of Bite of Burnaby, all while enjoying exceptional food and great company.

Guided by Chef Javier Blanc, winner of Second Best Paella in the World at the prestigious Concurs Internacional de Paella Valenciana de Sueca, this hands-on masterclass explores both Seafood Paella and traditional Valencian Paella. Guests will cook alongside the chef while learning the fundamentals of paella-making, including ingredients, timing, and technique.

Throughout the class, participants will enjoy a selection of Spanish tapas and be introduced to the art of making sangria, adding another essential element of Spanish culinary culture to the experience.

Experience a true taste of Spain in Vancouver, where this paella masterclass combines cooking, conversation, and shared tables to offer a warm, social, and unforgettable culinary experience as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival 2026.

Event Schedule:
3rd Mar: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM
4th Mar: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM
5th Mar: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM
10th Mar: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM
11th Mar: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM

All classes are now sold out.

This event is proudly supported by Tourism Burnaby as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, a month-long celebration of Burnaby’s vibrant culinary scene.

Join us for Taste of Trattoria, an intimate, Italian dinner experience presented as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival. This exclusive evening celebrates the flavours, techniques, and warm hospitality that define Trattoria by Italian Kitchen, offering guests a relaxed yet refined journey through modern Italian cuisine.

Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated multi-course menu showcasing vibrant antipasti, house-made pastas, and unforgettable tableside moments, including 30-month Prosciutto di Parma carved tableside and Trattoria’s Signature Tableside Tiramisu to close the evening.

Throughout the dinner, Executive Chef Matteo Fontana will introduce select courses, sharing personal insight into the inspiration, regional influences, and craftsmanship behind each dish. The experience is designed to feel welcoming and social, with a focus on generous Italian cooking, refined technique, and exceptional ingredients.

Price: $75 per guest
Seating is limited.

The event is now sold out.

Meet the Chef: Matteo Fontana
Executive Chef Matteo Fontana grew up in Italy’s Veneto region, learning regional cooking traditions at home with his mother and grandmother. After working in kitchens across Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Emilia-Romagna, he moved to Vancouver nearly 15 years ago and rose through the ranks at Italian Kitchen to become Executive Chef. His cooking honours Italian tradition while thoughtfully incorporating fresh, seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients. “I love how cooking brings people together,” says Matteo. “Vancouver offers incredible access to fresh, seasonal ingredients, and I enjoy incorporating Pacific Northwest influences in ways that honour the Italian traditions I hold close.”

This event is proudly supported by Tourism Burnaby as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, a month-long celebration of Burnaby’s vibrant culinary scene.

Discover the unexpected harmony between Japanese sake and Western cheese in this expert-led sake and cheese pairing workshop, presented by the Sake Association of British Columbia (SABC) as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival.

Guided by Certified Sake Sommelier Toshi Uehara of Sakegami, this educational tasting demystifies the world of sake while exploring how its flavour profiles complement a curated selection of cheeses. Guests will enjoy a guided flight of premium Japanese sakes, thoughtfully paired to highlight balance, texture, and depth—bringing out the best in both sake and cheese.

Designed for both beginners and enthusiasts, this workshop offers an approachable introduction to sake culture. No prior sake knowledge is required—just curiosity and an appreciation for flavour.

This is a relaxed yet informative tasting experience that blends cultural insight with sensory discovery.
Please note: This event is 19+ only.

Price: $40.13 | Members: $32.34

The event is now sold out!

This event is proudly supported by Tourism Burnaby as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, a month-long celebration of Burnaby’s vibrant culinary scene.

Celebrate International Women’s Week with Her Craft, Her Story, an elegant, chef-led dining experience presented in collaboration with Bite of Burnaby, ATLAS steak + fish, and Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre. This special evening honours female culinary talent through a refined, story-driven menu crafted by Sous Chef Olya Karpova.

Held at ATLAS Steak + Fish Burnaby, the event begins with a reception followed by a seated three-course dinner with amuse bouche, designed to showcase creativity, technique, and storytelling through food.

Meet the Sous Chef: Olya Karpova
Olya Karpova, Chef de Partie, is the winner of Masters of the Craft, a prestigious continent-wide competition highlighting the top culinary and bar professionals across the U.S. and Canada within the Marriott portfolio. The competition challenges chefs to create dishes using mystery ingredients, judged on presentation, creativity, taste, and storytelling.
During this dinner, guests will experience dishes inspired by her competition journey and hear firsthand how she adapted, innovated, and expressed her craft under pressure.

Event Details
Date: March 10, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Format: Reception followed by seated dinner
Location: ATLAS Steak + Fish, Burnaby
Price: $65.00 per person

The event is now sold out!

Giving Back
All proceeds go to WORTH Association’s scholarship fund. WORTH is dedicated to supporting women in the Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality industries.

This event is proudly supported by Tourism Burnaby as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, a month-long celebration of Burnaby’s vibrant culinary scene.

Step into the delicate and refined world of Nerikiri, a traditional Japanese confectionery treasured in tea ceremonies for its beauty, symbolism, and craftsmanship. As part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, this hands-on workshop invites you to experience the artistry behind one of Japan’s most elegant edible traditions.

Led by renowned Wagashi artist Megu Takahashi, this interactive session will guide participants through the fundamentals of working with nerikiri dough. You’ll learn how to shape, colour, and sculpt the dough into charming spring-inspired designs, transforming simple ingredients into miniature works of art.

Perfect for food lovers, creative minds, and cultural explorers, this workshop offers a welcoming introduction to Japanese confectionery—no prior experience required. Whether you’re fascinated by edible art, enjoy hands-on activities, or want to deepen your appreciation of Japanese culture, this nerikiri workshop delivers a memorable and joyful experience.

Information about Nerikiri:

Nerikiri is a vegan sweet.

• Nerikiri Cherry Blossom with Cherry Blossom An
• Nerikiri Spring Flower Basket with Koshi An (Red Bean Paste)
• Nerikiri Spring Light with Lemon Cream Cheese An (Bean Paste)

Price: $80.00 | NNMCC Members: $64.00

This workshop is now sold out!

IMPORTANT:
This workshop is for those aged 12 and over.

This event is proudly supported by Tourism Burnaby as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, a month-long celebration of Burnaby’s vibrant culinary scene.