4th Annual Spot Prawn Festival, Vancouver BC

Spot Prawn FEVER!!

The 4th Annual Spot Prawn Festival kicked off yesterday during a gorgeous afternoon at Vancouver's False Creek Fishermen's Wharf.


Spot prawns are the sweetest prawn you'll ever eat, sustainably harvested from local British Columbia waters, available for only a short 6-8 week season every year.


I was introduced to these prized local delicacies during my visit last year and loved them so much I ate them at least a dozen times! This year, I made sure to time my visit to coincide with the lively season opener.



We arrived 15 minutes before the event began and quickly got in line for the spot prawn tastings:


$10 per plate for 4 spot prawns with 'accompaniments' and a piece of bread:


The food was dished out rather efficiently via assembly line, expertly manned by students from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. The spot prawns were prepared very simply this year to showcase their natural sweetness (in prior years, local restaurants set up individual tasting stations which offered more elaborate spot prawn dishes).

Spot prawns simply boiled in saltwater:


Chilled spot prawns, poached in a court boullion:


3 saucy accompaniments, nam jim Thai sauce, cocktail sauce, and mango salsa:


And delicious pizza bianca bread from Terra Breads:


YUM! And don't forget to suck the heads!


Afterwards we sampled wines from the Okanagan's Prospect Winery:


Microbrew tastings from Granville Island Brewing:

Live entertainment from local blues-rock band, Terminal Station:

A loud horn announced the much anticipated arrival of the first catch of the season:

Our favorite spot prawn fishermen, Steve Johansen and Frank Keitsch from Organic Ocean:


For more interesting facts about spot prawns, check out my post from last season which includes an interview with Steve and Frank and features a 6 course spot prawn tasting menu I had at C Restaurant.

WHERE TO BUY
You can purchase live spot prawns from Organic Ocean at False Creek Fishermen's Wharf after 1pm daily for $12/lb for the duration of spot prawn season.

LEARN TO COOK
Every Wednesday during the month of May, the Dirty Apron Cooking School is offering spot prawn classes featuring Chef Nico Schuermans of Chambar/Cafe Medina. Dishes will include a spot prawn ceviche, spot prawn bisque and spiced butter poached spot prawns.
$145 per person

WHERE TO EAT
Dozens of local restaurants will be featuring spot prawns on their menus throughout the season including:

REFUEL
BC Spot Prawn Boil
Every Saturday this month starting May 8th
Early seating: 6 - 8pm
Late seating: 8:30 -10:30pm

$65 per person

MAENAM
Menu will feature 8 Thai-influenced spot prawn dishes throughout the season.

C RESTAURANT
5 course spot prawn tasting menu for one week only! Now thru Sat May 15th.

For the remainder of spot prawn season, a tasting menu may be available on special request (ask when booking your reservation).

VIJ'S
Spot prawns featured on the menu all year round.

GO FISH!
Spot prawn daily specials throughout the season.

PROVENCE MARINASIDE
Chef's menu featuring spot prawns

DB BISTRO MODERNE
Bouillabaisse Provencal featuring BC spot prawns

4th Annual Spot Prawn Festival, Vancouver BC