Feast Tofino 2014

Credit: Chris Pouget

Feast Tofino showcases the amazing seasonal produce and seafood in the district

Chef Peter Zambri kissing prawn

Feast Tofino 2014 shines the spotlight on the seasonal produce, seafood and sustainable culinary practices that can be enjoyed on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Ah, spring. Warmer days, sunnier dispositions and, if you’re in Tofino, boat loads of seafood. Stay in May and you’re bound to indulge in the seaside community’s wider cast of the net, thanks to its annual Feast Tofino — a month-long series of culinary celebrations that deliciously showcase all that comes from the sea.

This west coast surf-lovers’ town boasts more than its fair share of chefs, farmers, foragers, fishermen and women, making this an ideal locale to seek out salmon, Dungeness crab, spot prawns and more saltwater delights. From May 1-29, a variety of Tofino eateries will offer prix-fixe menus or special features highlighting locally caught seafood.

Where to start? Hop aboard the 65 foot Leviathan II with chef Jayson Aloian and his crew during the Sunset Cruise and Canapés With Jamie’s Whaling Station, an on-the-water excursion that seasons its seafood nibbles with the thrum of live music on May 2.

Guest chefs Trevor Bird of Vancouver’s Fable Restaurant and Brad Holmes of Victoria’s ulla restaurant take turns joining the Wickaninnish Inn’s culinary team for an inspirational Chef’s Table (May 8 and May 15 respectively) before making their way to the Driftwood Café Patio and Grille May 9 (Bird) and May 16 (Holmes) for a casual, barbecue-style seafood feast topped with a stroll along Chesterman Beach.

Asian fusion is served up with west coast flair at Shelter, May 10, when resident chef Matty Kane matches knives with Joel Wantanabe of Vancouver Chinatown favourite Bao Bei. For those who prefer to work up an appetite, grab the gear May 17 for the Dirty Moto X Gourmet, a day of backroad dirt biking capped by a wild gourmet barbecue in the woods.

May 22 marks the first-annual Long Table, a Feast signature event at the Best Western Tin Wis Resort that artfully blends an iconic beachfront setting with menus from a multitude of local chefs. For sustenance served alongside educational jaunts, bring the family to the Saturday Dockside Festival, May 24, where fresh coastal nibbles are interspersed with tours of the 4th Street Dock. Time to feast.  For a full listing of events and participating Tofino restaurants, visit FeastTofino.com