Food and Cooking in Vancouver, BC

Whether you’re looking to save some money, bake a lot of goodies or simply like to keep your kitchen well stocked, buying in bulk is economical. While most stores in Vancouver have some bulk items, here are some great places to get the best bulk buys. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]

While there are plenty of places to indulge in take out downtown, there are plenty of grocery stores that offer fresh and exotic ingredients to cook at home. Here are some top spots to stock up on groceries. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]

Surrey has become one of the most culturally diverse cities in the Lower Mainland. And this diversity is reflected in Surrey’s many unique local grocers. Here are a few awesome places to go for all your cooking needs. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]

Dads can be notoriously difficult to buy gifts for. Surprise him this year with the best present he can’t wait to get his hands on. Forget the neckties and garden tools. What dad really wants is something he can enjoy! [Photo credit: iStock/g-stockstudio]

Have a craving for Japanese snacks but don’t know where to get them? Looking to cook up a storm of Asian dishes but can’t seem to find all of the ingredients you need? From mochi to pocky to ponzu sauce, here are a few Vancouver supermarkets worth checking out for your Japanese grocery needs. [Photo credit: iStock.com/TAGSTOCK1]

Congratulations, you’re getting married! Now comes the fun part - choosing a cake. Whether you want a classic tiered cake, a gluten-free gateau, or a mountain of bite-sized cupcakes, there’s a cake shop in Vancouver that can help make your sweet dreams come true for your special day.

In the Pacific Northwest, craft beer is akin to religion. We sip our porters, lagers and IPAs made with care from local brew-masters. As liquor laws have changed over the last couple of years, a different kind of craft is happening in the Lower Mainland: distilling. Small-batch distilleries are producing fine vodkas, sakes, gins and whiskeys right here in Vancouver. [Photo courtesy of Odd Society Spirits]

There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting from the oven. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have time for all that kneading, rolling and flouring – but we can grab our daily (handmade) bread at one of these fine Vancouver bakeries, where rustic rye, French baguette and plain ol’ white are on display among other, more adventurous varieties. [Photo credit: iStock.com/LOVE_LIFE]

Once upon a time you’d have to head out to a hidden warehouse in an industrial park if you wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a distillery crafted their liquids. Today, there are many local spots in Vancouver where you can get a peek at the distilling process and sip handcrafted small-batch spirits.

It’s the day your closest friends and family bear witness to your love and commitment — a day of celebration, of honouring two special people. A day of delicious food. At an event as significant as a wedding, excellent food is key to the satisfaction of the guests (all that emotion and champagne can make you famished!) With any of these local wedding caterers, you can focus on love and a great party, all with a full stomach.

Serious foodies know that sometimes the best cooking happens in your very own kitchen. At these local specialty shops, you can stock up on gourmet edibles, high-end cooking supplies and all the kitchen utensils you need for your next at-home culinary adventure.

Stinky, salty, creamy, crumbly: Vancouver has access to a plethora of quality cheese from across the globe through multiple cheese mongers and specialty stores where you can discover some of the most unusual – and delicious – dairy products around.