BC Wine and Oyster Festival Changes Name and Game

BC WINE AND OYSTER FESTIVAL CHANGES FOCUS

The more the merrier …

Don’t expect next year’s BC Wine and Oyster Festival to be anything like it has been for the past thirteen years. In fact, in 2008, oysters may only play a small role in it. The organizers, Liberty Wine Merchants, say that next year’s fest (to be called Taste BC 2008), will be a much larger proposition, including a wider category of edibles that will feature many kinds of local food products. The qualifier being, that the foods must be of artisan quality and must originate from BC – the better to match the BC wines, of course.

According to Liberty, as the Oyster Festival grew in popularity, it had become increasingly difficult to find a reliable supply of oysters that would be of sufficient quantity to feed the crowds. Opening up the event to other food producers will take the pressure off that situation as well as address the fact that since the festival was launched in 1994, our local food scene has expanded in many interesting directions, other than just the seafood that our province is known for.

Negotiations with the Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel over the booking date are still taking place, but it is expected that Taste BC 2008 will continue to run in January (possibly January 22, 2007), although it may no longer be essential to hold the event in that month. Mid-winter had originally been chosen in order to coincide with the peak of the local oyster season.

BC Children’s Hospital - Oak Tree Clinic will remain as the charity beneficiary, and CityFood will continue to participate as a print sponsor for the event. Ticket prices will be in the $50 range. We will have more details on the Festival later.