Canada’s celebrated chef, Vikram Vij will launch the start of Vancouver’s hottest annual Indian Summer Festival that features musicians, chefs, authors, top performers, and practitioners who are paired with their Canadian counterparts. For ten days, this festival celebrates arts, diversity, and culture with a touch of South Asian flair intermingled with international talent. The festival will be held in Downtown Vancouver every July and will be held between July 4 to July 13, 2013 at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts with various events held around the Lower Mainland.
Chef Vikram Vij at his restaurant
The first day of the festival will be held at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver on July 4th at 7:30 p.m. Known as the gastronomic guru, celebrity chef Vikram Vij will curate a culinary tour of South Asia where visitors can attend multiple culinary food stations hosted by Vancouver-based South Asian restaurants and can wet their appetites with fine beverages and including award-winning Volcanic Hills and Kalala wines. The countries featured in the tour are Nepal (Café Kathmandu), India (Vij’s), Bangladesh (Atithi), and Persian/Afgani (East is East).
Vij’s food philosophy, his expertise, and successful numerous cookbooks makes him one of Canada’s most beloved chefs. In an interview with Toronto Sun, he said, “Our food philosophy has always been to keep our spices and cooking techniques Indian—from all regions of India — while using meats, seafood and produce that are locally available.” He actively supports the sustainable food industry and is an active member of the Chef’s Table Society at B.C, which is an organization, dedicated to supporting innovative and sustainable food programs.
CBC News Vancouver’s meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe will broadcast the opening gala live and it will feature live performances by internationally-known band, Rajasthan Josh and percussionist/DJ/beat-boxer Rup Sidhu. Vikram Vij is a regular presence at the Indian summer festival and has been an important part since the festival’s inception and its fabric. He has been honored both internationally and nationally and featured in Anthony Bourdain’s famous show on Travel Channel – No Reservations. Vij’s wife, Meeru Dhalwala and him are co-owners of award-winning restaurant’s Vij’s and Rangoli in Vancouver. Although he was born in India, he has lived in Amritsar and Bombay. He was also featured as a guest on Top Chef Canada, Cityline, and The Marilyn Denis Show.
Deepa Mehta occupies a unique place in the Canadian film landscape. She works across geographic boundaries and genres, combining an ease in her medium with experimentation. Jeet Thayil is a poet, novelist, librettist and musician. He switches between registers and countries – he was born in India, grew up in Hong Kong and the US.
Rajasthan Josh is a band of collective musicians and dancers perform a fusion of Northwestern desert folk traditional dances combined with Sufi and Punjabi music. They use numerous instruments such as Morchang (the mouth harp), Bhapang Kartaal (castanets), double flute, Nagadha (drums), and Bamboo flute. Their unique style is a combination of Sufi vocals, bhajans, and well-known Rajasthani songs that will electrify the opening gala. It is their first performance in Vancouver and they will be joined throughout the festival with other Vancouver-based musicians like Tarun Nayar from Delhi2Dublin, percussionist Ashwin Sood, and beatboxer/mixer Rup Sidhu.
Do not miss this great event!
Image & Source: Indian Food Festival Official Website, Toronto Sun, and Facebook
Feature Image: Indian Food Festival Facebook Page
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Love Constantly Wants To Be With Me And I'm Exhausted
-
The Coronation Of King Charles III Was A Global Desi Affair
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My In-Laws Introduces Our Kids As Their "Adopted" Grandkids
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Office Romance Wants To Keep Us A Secret
-
The Dishes That Asha Bhosle Wants You To Try At Her Resto Asha's In Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Rude Friend Is Mortifying!
-
Tour The World At Dubai's Amazing Global Village
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Had A Miscarriage And Our Family's "Be Grateful" Sentiments Really Hurt
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Underage Nephew Expects Me To Buy Booze For Him
-
Warm Up To The Fusion Delights Of Ushna in Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Boyfriend Is Pressuring Me To Attend His Sister's Wedding But I Can't Afford It
-
IWD 2023: 11 Inspirational Quotes From Powerful South Asian Women
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My In-Laws Are Giving Me The Cold Shoulder
-
7 South Asian Female Fitness Pros Who Will Level Up Your Workouts
