Botanist Welcomes Kitchen Table (London, UK) for a One-Night-Only Collaboration Dinner, Jan. 28

The Goods from Botanist

Vancouver, BC | On January 28, 2026, Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim will welcome chef-owner James Knappett of London’s acclaimed, two MICHELIN-starred Kitchen Table for an exclusive collaboration dinner with executive chef Hector Laguna.

Presented as part of Dine Out Vancouver’s 10th annual Vancouver World Chef Exchange, this one-night-only cross-Atlantic culinary experience brings together two chefs united by a seasonally driven, ingredient-first philosophy. Laguna’s produce-forward approach takes centre stage, while Knappett’s cuisine is shaped by contemporary European influences.

Mirroring Kitchen Table’s signature program, the evening will begin with a welcome cocktail or glass of Champagne at Botanist Bar, before guests are escorted to the dining room for an intimate six-course dinner.

“I look forward to welcoming Chefs James to Botanist and Vancouver for the very first time as part of the World Chef Exchange program,” says Laguna. “We share a deep respect for seasonality and local ingredients, and this dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the global culinary community. It’s going to be a wonderful evening.”

The experience is priced at $225++ per person, or $295++ per person with curated beverage pairings by Head Sommelier Matthew Jacobson in collaboration with Kitchen Table’s co-owner and sommelier, Sandia Chang. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m.

“For me, cooking is about celebrating outstanding ingredients and letting the seasons lead the way,” says Knappett. “At Kitchen Table we craft our daily-changing tasting menu using the very best of what’s available on any given day. I look forward to bringing that perspective to Vancouver with Hector, and to explore the incredible bounty of the Pacific Northwest together.”

Reservations can be booked online here.

ABOUT THE CHEFS

James Knappett, Chef Patron and Co-Founder, Kitchen Table

From Soham, Cambridgeshire, Knappett had an interest in cooking from an early age, attending a Cambridgeshire catering college before moving to London and landing formative positions at the likes of Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Berkeley and The Ledbury.

Following a number of years in the city’s hospitality industry, he relocated to Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow for three years, before venturing further afield in 2005 to undertake a role at Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant Per Se in New York. Knappett then moved to the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen before returning to London to start his own venture.

In September 2012, Knappett and his wife Sandia Chang opened Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia, which was awarded a MICHELIN star two years later in 2014, followed by a coveted second star in 2018.

Hector Laguna, Executive Chef, Botanist

After honing his craft in acclaimed kitchens across Miami, San Francisco and Toronto, Laguna brought his culinary vision to Vancouver, joining Hawksworth as senior sous chef before taking the helm at Botanist.

Laguna’s menus represent the abundant botany of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Ingredients are sustainably sourced from their natural landscape and paired with contemporary techniques designed to showcase the best version of them.

Under his leadership, Botanist has earned a place among Canada’s 50 Best Restaurants, been recognized on the World’s 50 Best Discovery list, is a MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant, and awarded the CAA/AAA Four Diamond distinction.

For more information, please visit www.botanistrestaurant.com/whats-on. Reservations are now open and can be made available online.