Tourism Richmond is the latest organization to join Feast, a month-long celebration of Asian cuisine in Richmond.
A 32-day-long dining festival kicks off Oct. 18 and aims to showcase local businesses that have put Richmond on the culinary map.
“We want to let more people know Richmond is one of North America’s best places for Asian food. And the event could help us continue to tell stories about the highly regarded food scene in Richmond,” said Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond.
This is the second year of the event hosted by Richmond News and Hamazaki Wong Marketing Group, and the first time Tourism Richmond has been a partner.
Feast (from the words “food” and “east”) will feature a variety of Asian restaurants specializing in everything from traditional old-school dishes to cutting-edge fusion creations.
Each of the businesses featured in the festival will curate unique, affordable menus and at least one signature dish.
Small said the aim of the festival is to not only promote Asian dining in general, but help make Asian cuisines more accessible to people who might not be aware of what they should eat.
“With the help of a set menu, guests and visitors could go to these restaurants and try something they haven’t tried before."
This year, the festival has collaborated with five local celebrities, who also happen to be foodies. Arjan Bhullar, Christine Brodie, Dr. Timothy Hsia, Fred Lee and Deborah Moore will form Feast’s Ambassador Program.
Bhullar is Richmond’s best known wrestler. He has numerous titles to his name including Commonwealth gold medalists (2010). In recent years, Bhullar has moved from wrestling to mixed martial arts. He’s now ranked 25th in the heavyweight division by the website MMA World Ranking.
As a Feast Ambassador, Bhullar said he’s ready to pull up to the Feast table to promote the wide variety of culinary treats Richmond has to offer.
In fact, Richmond’s diverse Asian cuisine is one of the things the home town boy misses most when he’s travelling — which he does a lot.
“I hope more people will enjoy food they haven’t experienced yet,” said Bhullar, adding that dining out is a great way to connect with the local community.
“Sitting down and eating together, then we get to know each other and become friends.”
Brodie, a board member of SUCCESS, KPU and Richmond Hospital, is also a Feast ambassador.
Brodie said promoting these restaurants isn’t a hard sell for her. In fact, introducing her friends to specialty dishes from different Asian restaurants is something she does as a matter of course.
In 1977, Brodie immigrated to Richmond from California.
She now plays host to visitors from all over the world. But, for Brodie, it’s not just about the food. Exposure to authentic Asian dishes, also helps foster a deeper understanding of different cultures.
“I have never seen a festival like Asian Feast anywhere in the U.S. People of all ages are welcome to join us.”
Besides, Brodie added, there’s no better way to boost your mood than good food, good friends and a sense of cultural connection.
The event will not only feature specialty Asian food. Sonny Li, CEO of Old Abbey Ales Brewery, will create a Feast-labelled beer for the event.
“I am not a picky eater, and I love all types of food. I have joined the Vancouver Dine Out before and found many eaters’ faces were lit up with joy after taking a few bites of the dish,” said Li.
For more details or if you are interested in participating in the festival, visit AsianFeast.ca or contact Alex Ma at 604-353-4093.
