Event Type : Workshop

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

Don’t miss out—secure your tickets today and cook along with the chef.

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 to unlock the secrets of miso fermentation in this immersive, hands-on workshop in collaboration with the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and Vankoji Foods. Guided by miso expert and Vankoji founder, Tonami, this experience will teach you how to craft authentic Japanese miso from scratch—a process that has been perfected over centuries.

What You’ll Learn in This Workshop:

✔️ The traditional fermentation process using soybeans and koji—the key ingredient behind miso’s deep umami flavour
✔️ Step-by-step guidance from Tonami, who will share her expertise on fermentation techniques, ingredient selection, and aging processes
✔️ How to properly store and care for your homemade miso, which will ferment over the next six months to develop its signature depth and complexity
✔️ The history, health benefits, and culinary versatility of miso—plus creative ways to incorporate it into your cooking beyond soup
✔️ Take home your own batch of miso to ferment and enjoy in six months

Miso is a fundamental part of Japanese cuisine, known for its ability to enhance flavours and add nutritional benefits to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re a home cook, fermentation enthusiast, or simply curious about Japanese food culture, this workshop will empower you with the skills to create miso at home and integrate it into your everyday cooking.

Times: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: $73.50 | NNMCC Members: $58.80

Limited spots available—secure yours today!

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 Japan’s favourite everyday snack at Bite of Burnaby! Often called the “soul food” of Japan, onigiri (Japanese rice balls) are a classic comfort food—perfect for school lunches, picnics, and easy meals at home.

In this family-friendly, hands-on onigiri workshop, Samurice will guide you through the essentials of making great onigiri from start to finish. You’ll learn how to cook Japanese rice to fluffy perfection, explore a variety of unique and creative fillings, and practice shaping onigiri by hand—an easy, fun skill you can recreate in your own kitchen.

All ingredients and tools are provided, so you can jump right in and enjoy a delicious, interactive experience together.

No cooking experience is required—just bring your appetite and enthusiasm! Whether you’re new to Japanese cuisine or looking for a meaningful activity the whole family can enjoy, this omusubi workshop delivers a memorable cultural and culinary experience.

Timings: 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Price: Adult– $23.45 | NNMCC Members: $18.99, Child 12 and under– $12.33 | NNMCC Members: $10.10

Secure your spot today!

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.

Unwind, create, and connect at Cookie Therapy with Jenny Bakes, a hands-on cookie decorating workshop in Burnaby featured at the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival 2026. This mindful, beginner-friendly experience blends creativity, relaxation, and community—offering a refreshing alternative to a traditional baking class.

Led by Jenny Galloway of Jenny Bakes, this three-hour cookie decorating experience is fully prepared in advance, so guests can focus entirely on decorating and enjoying the moment. There’s no baking, no cleanup, and no pressure—just time to decorate beautiful cookies, socialize, and relax in a welcoming studio environment.

Perfect for friends, families, couples, and solo creatives, Cookie Therapy emphasizes mindfulness, self-expression, and connection. Whether you’re new to cookie decorating or simply looking for a calming, creative activity in Burnaby, this workshop offers a fun and restorative way to recharge through food and art.

What to expect at the cookie therapy workshop:
– Freshly pre-made artisan cookies ready to decorate
– A complete cookie decorating kit with royal icing, sprinkles, and tools
– Optional, stress-free piping tips and guidance from Jenny
– Refreshments provided during the event
– The first 10 guests to register (per event) will receive a curated gift bag from local businesses.

Guests are encouraged to decorate at their own pace, chat with fellow attendees, and enjoy a tactile, relaxing, creative experience.

Event Dates & Times:
Sunday, March 15 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Sunday, March 29 | 1:00–4:00 PM

Grab your spot now!

Location:
YVR Prep Commissary Kitchen, 5279 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC
Parking: Free street-level parking is available, with limited additional spots behind the building (subject to availability).

Who Can Attend:
– No prior cookie decorating experience required
– Open to all ages
– Kids are welcome (children receive smaller decorating kits)

Important Notes:
– This is an indoor event, rain or shine.
– Cookies contain dairy and eggs and are made in a shared facility that also processes nuts.
– The event space is not wheelchair accessible (stairs on site)

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.

Indulge your love of chocolate in this Gourmet Chocolate Truffle Making workshop, a fun and interactive Spring Break activity perfect for chocolate lovers of all ages. Part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival, this hands-on class invites participants to learn professional techniques for creating smooth, rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles.

Guided step by step, you’ll discover the secrets behind crafting beautifully balanced truffles—from mixing and shaping to finishing touches. Each ticket allows up to two people to work together, making this an ideal experience for families, friends, or pairs looking for a creative and delicious activity during the spring break holidays.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll create approximately 20 handmade gourmet chocolate truffles to take home, along with the skills and confidence needed to recreate these elegant sweets in your own kitchen.
All ingredients and tools are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and sweet tooth.

Times: 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm or 3:30 pm – 4:20 pm
Price: $45.69 | NNMCC Members: $36.79

Spaces are limited—register today and make this Spring Break extra sweet!

Allergy Information:
The milk chocolate used contains milk & soy. If needed, toppings can be adjusted on-site to accommodate allergies.

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.

Ever wondered how chocolate is made—from raw cacao beans all the way to a glossy, snappy chocolate bar? Step into the world of craft chocolate with this hands-on, vegan-friendly Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Making workshop, part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival.

Hosted in collaboration with the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre and local chocolatier Coconama, this immersive experience takes you on a delicious journey through chocolate’s full story—starting with cacao harvest and ending with your very own handcrafted bar. You’ll learn how cacao is sourced, how flavour develops through each stage of the process, and what makes artisan chocolate so special.

What You’ll Experience:

✔️ Discover the magic of cacao—learn its origins and how it transforms into chocolate.
✔️ Make your own bean-to-bar chocolate with expert guidance.
✔️ Taste exquisite chocolates from around the world.
✔️ Vegan-friendly—rich flavours, no dairy!

No prior experience needed—just bring your love for chocolate!

Price: $56.81 | NNMCC Members: $45.69

Reserve your spot today—spaces are limited.

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 the flavours of spring with this hands-on Sakura Mochi workshop, led by Sen Sakamoto of Kintoki Sweets as part of the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival. This beginner-friendly class introduces the history, ingredients, and essential techniques behind Sakura mochi, one of Japan’s most beloved seasonal confections (commonly called 和菓子 wagashi).

Participants will learn to make two distinct styles of Sakura mochi. The workshop covers the classic Kansai-style mochi, known for its soft, chewy texture, as well as a wheat-free Kanto-style crepe version, offering a lighter and approachable alternative. Through step-by-step instruction, you’ll gain insight into regional differences while developing practical skills you can use at home.

All ingredients and tools are provided, allowing you to focus fully on the experience. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your own handmade Sakura mochi, along with the knowledge and confidence to recreate these traditional Japanese sweets in your own kitchen. Perfect for food lovers, cultural explorers, and anyone curious about Japanese wagashi, this workshop offers a delicious and educational way to welcome spring.

Times: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm or 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: $62.37 | NNMCC Members: $50.14

Reserve your spot and experience Wagashi!

PLEASE NOTE: Sakuramochi are vegan-friendly and wheat-free; however, please note that the kitchen is not a certified gluten-free kitchen.

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 craft and tradition behind soba, Japan’s beloved buckwheat noodles, in this immersive hands-on soba-making workshop at the Bite of Burnaby Food Festival. Guided by expert instructor Kayo Bennett, this experience takes you through every step of making teuchi soba—traditional handmade noodles prepared with care and precision.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to mix and knead soba dough, roll it to the proper thickness, and cut noodles using classic Japanese techniques. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into the cultural significance of soba in Japanese cuisine and why handmade noodles are valued for their texture, flavour, and simplicity.

Designed for beginners and curious home cooks alike, this workshop requires no prior noodle-making experience. With clear instructions and hands-on guidance, participants can fully engage in the process while building skills that can be recreated at home.
At the end of the class, you’ll sit down to enjoy your freshly made soba, paired with a traditional dipping sauce, offering a satisfying and authentic taste of Japan. It’s a rewarding culinary experience that blends learning, tradition, and delicious results.

Times: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: $63.00 | NNMCC Members: $50.40

Reserve Your Spot!

Allergy alert: Please note, while buckwheat itself is gluten-free, this workshop will use flour as a binding agent, so the noodles will NOT be gluten-free. The dipping sauce uses fish (katsuobushi / bonito flakes).

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.