The sixth annual B.C. Shellfish Festival takes place in Comox June 15 and 16. It's the largest festival of its kind on the West Coast and is rich with fresh, local shellfish.
The event kicks off on the Friday night with a gala, B.C.-wine-matched six-course dinner at Comox's historic Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park. The food is being prepared by six of B.C.'s top chefs, including Ned Bell, Bill Jones and Ronald St. Pierre.
For the dinner, the chefs will be paired with a B.C. shellfish grower and the grower's product to bring their combined creations to guests. During the dinner reception, guests will be able to sample raw oysters from different regions of B.C., shucked and served by the farmers who grew them.
Tickets for this amazing dinner are $125 each. Call 1-250-890-7561 to order.
At noon on the Saturday, the festival continues at Comox Marina Park. Tickets to enter the festival site are $5. There, for free, purchased ticket or cash, depending on the event, you'll be able to take in a cooking class, enjoy live music, go to the beer tent, witness the chowder-and oyster-shucking competitions and sample a delectable array of seafood, such as oysters, clams, mussels and smoked salmon, prepared by restaurants and other businesses.
You'll also be able to purchase fresh shellfish onsite and take in the farmers' market.
For more information about the festival, including weekend package information for visitors, go to bcshellfishfestival.ca.
