😋 What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story about Sheringham Distillery and Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs winning international awards for their liqueur and vermouth as well as a roundup of places across the city to find spot prawns.

May and June are spot prawn season and Victoria is the place to be to enjoy the seafood delicacy.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🥐 Sidney Bakery: Delicious baked goods at 2507 Beacon.  

🧆 Syriana Catering: Authentic halal Syrian dishes at 1258 Esquimalt Rd. Available at Moss Street Market on Saturdays.  

🫖 Pendray Tea House: Enjoy a Victoria-style afternoon tea at the heritage hotel at 309 Belleville. 

☕ Hide + Seek Coffee: Tasty coffee drinks and baked goods in a cozy atmosphere at 1839 Fairfield and 2207 Oak Bay Ave. 

🌮 Kattia's Kitchen: Authentic Mexican dishes available at its food truck and at 4636 Elk Lake Dr.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

South Island liqueur and vermouth get global recognition

The winners of this year’s World Drink Awards have been announced and once again South Island producers have taken home top prizes.

The awards based out of Norwich, UK celebrate the best of global alcoholic beverages and are comprised of several competitions judged by expert panels that recognize everything from rum and tequila to brandy and specialty cocktails. 

This year, Sheringham Distillery won gold in the liqueur competition, while Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs took home awards in the vermouth competition. 

Read more about how the two producers earned the top prizes.

FEATURED

Spot prawn season is officially here

It’s right around the end of May each year that seafood lovers living on the Island come to celebrate one of the most iconic food celebrations on the West Coast: The Spot Prawn Festival.  

Hosted by the Chef's Table Society of British Columbia and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association, the Spot Prawn Festival is an annual event centred around the harvesting of a particular species of shrimp—the spot prawn—a delicacy known around the world for its sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture.  

Although the official festival is in Vancouver this weekend, for those looking to get their hands on this exquisite crustacean closer to home, we have rounded up a few places in Victoria to find spot prawns.

🗞️ News

Spinnakers celebrates 40th birthday: The oldest brewhouse in Canada first opened its doors at 308 Catherine on May 15, 1984. This Sunday it will host a historical brunch in celebration.  

Fire at Esquimalt bakery: Rising Star Wholesale Bakery was left badly damaged following the fire on Wednesday morning. Nobody was injured, but many are left unemployed while the business has had to temporarily close. [CHEK]

Chorizo & Co. officially closed: The restaurant on Fort had its last day of operations on May 18. The restaurant has been sold and the new owners will open with a new concept.

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🗓️ Events

Fern A Drag Show: Woofie, Vivian Vanderpuss, and Ket Bush will perform drag numbers today at The Fernwood Inn. Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. 

Drew Lynch: The American comedian will bring his Short King tour to McPherson Playhouse tomorrow, 8pm. 

Indigenous Plant Walk: Learn about plants indigenous to the Island and their traditional uses at the Compost Education Centre. Saturday, 1-3pm.

Scattered Artists Tour: Take this self-guided tour of artist studios across 10 locations in Saanich this Saturday and Sunday.

Awakening Chinatown: This event celebrating Victoria’s Chinatown includes performances, crafts, games, and more. Sunday, noon-5:30pm.

Jann Arden and Rick Mercer: The two Canadian icons will bring their Will They or Won’t They tour to McPherson Playhouse this Sunday, 8pm.  

Wine Dinner at Rudi: Enjoy wine pairings alongside a curated five-course menu on Wednesday.

 💸 Deals

• $12 beef burger and $12 calamari at Heron Rock Bistro during daily happy hour, 3-5pm and 8pm to close.  

• $25 The Mini Meal at Virtuous Pie during daily happy hour, noon-5pm.

• $6 pierogi poutine and $6 traditionalist plate at Sült Pierogi Bar during happy hour. 

• $8.50 draught pints and $13 one piece cod fish and chips at Flying Otter Grill on Fridays, 3pm to close.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Certified Dental Assistant at Peninsula Dental

• Operations Manager at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society

• Line Cook at The Rose Neighbourhood Public House

• Executive Director at Capital Bike

• Bus Driver at Victoria Seniors Travel and Social Group Society

📸 Post of the week

Phillips Brewing’s Dreamsicle Dinosour slushies and KulaPops are a match made in heaven. Enjoy the slushies at the brewery’s tasting room at 2010 Government. Find KulaPops at 2575 Cadboro Bay Rd.

That’s it!

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