Contributor: Thalia Stopa
Thalia moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver as a vegan, wannabe art student, and a beer and wine naif. Over a decade later, she is now an omnivorous, beer- and vini-vorous food and culture writer. She is in her most natural state perched at a local bar or brewery, with a pen or book in one hand and a pint in the other.
On 17 Years of Teaching (and Feeding) Proper Thai Cuisine, with Pailin Chongchitnant
It's been a full decade since the Vancouver-based Thai chef/educator released her first cookbook, "Hot Thai Kitchen". So when Scout had the opportunity to interview Pailin to coincide with the publication of the cookbook's anniversary edition, we didn't hesitate to take it.
On the Alchemy and Ease of Breadcrumbs, with Camilla Wynne and Michelle Marek
Read our interview with the authors of new cookbook, "All That Crumbs Allow" (Good Egg), which gives the humble, underrated breadcrumb its dues.
Check Out What’s In Store for Time Out Market Vancouver’s Opening Roster
As opening day for the highly anticipated next level cafeteria style venue creeps closer, the first half-dozen participating concepts have been announced - and they're damn good.
Head to the Rio for a Special Screening of ‘Saints and Warriors’ This Weekend
Get cozy and heated up at a special documentary screening, followed by an in-person discussion with the director, by catching the 'Saints and Warriors' matinee screening on Sunday, November 23rd. Tickets are still available!
Free Spirit is Back for a Second Round, December 8th Only!
After a sensational inaugural event back in January, the non-alc (zero-proof, alcohol-free) tasting event is landing at Heritage Hall for one-evening-only, on Monday, December 8th.
Scout Book Club, Vol. 29: FEELS
Welcome to the Scout Book Club: a brief and regular rundown of what we're reading, and what we recommend.
Botanist to Host Four Pastry Chefs for a Seven-Course Dessert Doozy, Nov. 18th
For this singular experience, Botanist's own Executive Pastry Chef Kate Siegel is putting her head together with Kenta Takahashi, Oliver Bernardino and Lisa Yu. If you've got a soft spot for the sweet stuff, and want a good excuse to eat dessert for dinner instead of after dinner, then this is it.
From Trickster Tales to Salmon Stories, with Julian Brave NoiseCat
Julian's new memoir, 'We Survived the Night', is taking him clear across North America, and on Thursday, October 30th he'll be making a stop at SFU Woodwards. For added context, read our interview with the outspoken and multi-talented polymath.
Indulge Your Appetite for Food and Folklore at Enabling Arts on October 30th
If you love indulging in good food stories and having in-depth, complex conversations about food, then this is your opportunity to do just that while also connecting with fellow curious thinkers, readers and revellers, and making new discoveries.
Scout Book Club, Vol. 28: VANCOUVER WRITERS FEST 2025
The Vancouver Writers Fest goes down from October 20th to 26th at various venues spotting Granville Island (and online). Once again, we took advantage of the event's impressive roster of writers to elicit a whole slew of book recommendations from its participants.
On Book Cover Magic, List-Making and Mayonnaise, with Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross
In an attempt to demystify her work, and in anticipation of her participation in this year’s Vancouver Writers Fest, we recently pinned down Zong-Li Ross to chat about her process, aesthetic choices, and most reviled condiment – among other things.
A Seriously Fun Conversation about Queer Food, with Dr. Alex Ketchum and Megan Joanna Elias
We went deep into the concept of queer food in a recent conversation with the co-editors of 'Queers at the Table: An Illustrated Guide to Queer Food with Recipes' (October 7th, 2025, Arsenal Pulp Press). Revolutionize food now!
Noir at the Bar is Coming to The Irish Heather on October 23rd
There's something especially cozy and atmospheric - perhaps even illicit - and innately literary about posting up in a dark pub while listening to authors reading from their best noir-ish works. Even better with a pint or glass of something nice and stiff in hand!
‘Three Cheers’ to Kaitlyn Stewart on Her New Cocktail Book
From Shake N' Bake to 'shaken or stirred', we had a helluva lot of fun catching up with the local bartender, educator, and author, talking all things food-, book-, and cocktail-related.
Factor a Screening of ‘The Golden Spurtle’ Into Your Must Watch VIFF List
The 44th Vancouver International Film Festival is just around the corner, from October 2nd through the 12th. And although, as usual, there are heaps of films vying for our attention, one documentary in particular is appealing to our filmic and gastronomic appetites.
Chef Kristófer Hamilton Lord is Landing at Dear Gus for a Two-Week Stint, Oct. 7-18th
Mount Pleasant's twee-est, blue-est wine bar is making a big move this October, by welcoming the seasoned Icelandic chef into its kitchen - and reservations are filling up quickly!
From Bringing the Spice to Fiddling with Pomegranates: Chatting All Things Food with Cartoonist Lee Lai
The Montreal-based illustrator and storyteller's newly published sophomore graphic novel, "Cannon", revolves around the titular character, a restaurant cook, and includes no shortage of BOH-style tension.
Celebrate Shūbun with a Five-Course Dinner by Maest Food, Sept. 27th
Besides the official switch from Summer to Fall, the Autumn Equinox signals a new Maest Food Secret Dinner and specially designed menu celebrating the season's local bounty.
Chef Raf Racela is Cooking at Livia for Four Friday Nights Only, Beginning Sept. 19th
The Commercial Drive spot is making the segue into Fall a bit easier with their new month-long series of Friday pop-up dinners - and it kicks off this week!
Get Hands-On at a ‘Butchery 101’ Workshop on September 23rd
Tack on a new skill to your home kitchen repertoire this Fall by signing up for this one-day-only hands-on workshop led by expert Taryn Barker, and brought to us by the rad women of Bad Academy and She Summits.
On Happy Toasters, Hamburger Phones and Appliance-Appreciation, with Morgan Noll
If you haven't already paid a visit to Slice of Life Gallery to check out 'General Electric: Digital Portraits of Soft Electronics', Noll's first art exhibition - and you too dig "the design sensibilities of the 60s + 70s and want to stare lovingly into the shiny plastic of kitchen appliances" - then consider the pressure ON.
Scout Book Club, Vol. 27: REVOLUTION
Welcome to the Scout Book Club: a brief and regular rundown of what we're reading, what's staring at us from the bookshelf begging to be read next, and what we've already read and recommend.
Prepare Yourself for the 2025 Vinicola Portugal Wine Festival, Returning Sept. 27th
Tickets are now available! Get an edge on this year's festival offerings by checking out organizer Justin Isidro's personal recommendations - from entry level to adventurous.
Upstart & Crow is Hosting an Evening of ‘Lit & Libations’ on Sept. 19th
In addition to an evening of "literary matchmaking" - where you can enlist the bookish pros at U&C to find books that hit the spot for your reading cravings - this event also features a lineup of specially selected local wines to sip on in the meantime.
CANCELLED: Get ‘Wine-ish’ with Kurtis Kolt and Kelcie Jones on Tuesday, Sept. 9th
For the first time ever, the longtime friends and colleagues are combining their forces to bring us a double-whammy tasting event featuring classic wine and non-alc offerings on the same playing field. This should be good!
From Real Life Party Woes to Film Adaptations, with Local Author Ziyad Saadi
After an early reading of 'Three Parties', Saaid's debut novel (released today, August 26th), we reached out to the Palestinian-Canadian author to field some burning, difficult, and food-related (duh) questions.
The Regional Assembly of Text is Turning 20-Years-Old This Month!
The Regional Assembly of Text is marking the two-decade milestone of their flagship location (3934 Main Street) this month, with an afternoon full of celebratory fun on Sunday, August 24th. Time to get nostalgic!
Take a Trip to UBC Farms for the 30th Annual ‘Feast of Fields’ Event, Sept. 7th
FarmFolk CityFolk’s long-running (three decades and counting!) fundraising event is arguably still the best way to embrace the spirit of the season and the bounty of the autumnal harvest, while remaining within city limits and supporting a worthy cause.
