Welcome! We’re so glad that you’re here and interested in our inaugural Bowen Food Fest (BFF). BFF is a month-long celebration – September 22 – October 22 – of food, beverages, events and special offers on beautiful Bowen Island. Gather your family & friends to taste, sip, savour and explore the island’s food scene. Local chefs and producers are crafting seasonal offerings. Attend a workshop. Learn about regenerative agriculture. Buy locally-grown produce and handcrafted specialty foods. Shop the island’s boutiques and galleries. Extend your island time by staying at one of the island’s unique vacation rentals. Relax and enjoy a delicious getaway.
Get your digital BFF Passport to make the most of your Bowen Food Fest experience. The BFF passport provides you with valuable information, links, maps, community information and will assist you with entering the BFF Contest, a random draw featuring a Bowen Island Stay & Explore Getaway as the grand prize. There is no charge for the BFF Passport but donations are gratefully accepted. Donations will support the Bowen Island Food Bank and BFF event coordination. To make a donation, reserve your spot today via Eventbrite and you’ll be emailed a BFF passport. Alternatively, contact us via email to request your no-charge BFF passport.DATE-SPECIFIC EVENTS:
scroll to listings for more details
• Sept 23 & Oct 7 – Bowen Island Farmers Market
• September 24 – Regenerative Garden Tour at Grafton Community Gardens
• September 30 – Apple Harvest Fest
• September 30 – Meadowbrook Harvest Long Table Dinner
• October 11 – Whole Animal Butchery Pig Workshop
• October 18 – Whole Animal Butchery Sausage Making Workshop
• October 19 – Eat, Drink, Paint with Janet Esseiva
Alderwood Farm – specialty foods & vacation rentals
September 22 – October 22
Alderwood Farm is a small farm located mid-island and they are well known for their fresh-baked pies, handmade dips, soups and entrees, as well as charming vacation rental cottages and suites – perfect for an authentic rural getaway! Alderwood Farm is offering five BFF specials:
• Picnic Pack: includes dips, crackers, fresh veg, cheese, lemonade and dessert
Dinner for 2 or 4: featuring take & bake entrées, accompaniments, and dessert.
• Movie/Game Night: featuring dips and take & bake pizza.
• Snack & Happy Hour Pack: including olives, cheese, dips, spicy almonds, & beverages.
• Alderwood Stay, Play, Snack & Dine Packages: Stay longer and enjoy more! A two-night stay in Cozy Cottage and five meals.
Learn more Alderwood Farm.
Appple Harvest Fest
September 30 – 10 AM – 2 PM.
Apple Harvest Fest is a seasonal celebration at Meadowbrook Farm and hosted by Bowen Cider House and Meadowbrook Market. Apple Harvest Fest is a family-friendly event and will feature a Farmers Market and a Makers Market, lawn games, orchard tours, cider samples and more. In the evening there will be a Harvest Long Table Dinner, see below for more details. Bowen Cider House
Apple Harvest Fest Long Table DinnerSaturday September 30
Local Chefs Erik Miller & Jody Peck are creating a family-style long table dinner featuring asado roast lamb and pork, locally-grown and sourced foods, cider pairings and a welcome cocktail by local craft distillery, Copper Spirit. A truly local feast, proudly presented by Bowen Cider House and Meadowbrook Market. Get your ticket before the dinner sells out. Tickets available at Eventbrite Learn more about Meadowbrook Farm at Bowen Cider House.
Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar
September 22 – October 22
Skip the expensive flight and enjoy the tastes of Spain on Bowen Island. Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar a popular local restaurant and has earned a 4.6 star rating on Google. Barcelona is presenting two BFF specials: Paella Sundays is a classic dish and perfect for autumn’s cool evenings. Barcelona is also creating a new seasonal dish Fideos con Merguez – egg noodles with house-made merguez (spiced lamb sausage), broccolini and Manchego cheese. Learn more Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar.
Bowen Cider House & Cider House Kitchen
September 22 – October 22
Bowen Cider House recently celebrated its first year anniversary and they are stoked to announce the launch of Bowen Cider House Kitchen, a tasting menu of delicious bites & snacks that you can enjoy with cider on the patio. Located mid-island at Meadowbrook Farm, Bowen Cider House is a family owned and operated small-batch cidery. All ciders are handcrafted on-site using local and BC fruits. The newest cider is Lady Alexandra, a single varietal cider made with Pink Lady apples. But hurry because this is a small batch, so it will sell out fast. Learn more Bowen Cider House.
Bowen Island Pub
September 22 – October 22
The Bowen Island Pub is a local institution. The place where locals hang out after work, grab a hot lunch, order takeout, meet friends for drinks, dance to live music… and so much more. The Pub is also a beloved “reward” after hiking Mt. Gardner or kayaking the Salish Sea. Open daily for lunch and dinner, be sure to stop into The Pub during BFF. Stay tuned for details and learn more at Bowen Island Pub.
Branch on Bowen
September 22 – October 22
One of the cutest little cafés on Bowen and conveniently located next to the ferry terminal, Branch on Bowen offers freshly made favourites – tacos during the warm months and nourishing rice bowls during the cooler months. Oh… let’s not forget, throughout the year they scoop Earnest Ice Cream, the popular Vancouver artisan ice cream. The sister and adjoining shop to Branch is Narwhal, a specialty gift and artisan shop. Stay tuned for more BFF details. Learn more at Branch on Bowen.
Bowen Island Farmers Market,
September 23 & October 7, 10 AM – Noon, Bowen Island Community School, Mt. Gardner Road
September 30, 10 AM – 2 PM, Meadowbrook Farm, Apple Harvest Fest.
Like the island itself, the Bowen Island Farmers Market is small, rural, creative and interesting. You’ll find a seasonal collection of island-grown produce, handmade preserves, baked goods, artisan crafts and a few more occasional offerings. Thank you for shopping and supporting local growers, makers and bakers!
Bowen Island Concierge – vacation rentals
Craving a little getaway? Book a stay with Bowen Island Concierge. From charming cottages nestled in the forest to ocean-view suites, Bowen Island Concierge offers a variety of vacation rentals to choose from, all with their own unique character. Professionally managed, you’ll be assured quality and service. The longer you stay on Bowen Island, the more you’ll be able to relax, explore and sip & savour Bowen Food Fest. Learn more at Bowen Island Concierge.
Garden Tour – Grafton Commons Community Garden
September 24 • 10 AM – Noon
Bowen Island Food Resilience Society is hosting an open garden at Grafton Commons. Drop in anytime between 10 AM – noon, enjoy a cup of rosemary-mint tea, meet the gardners and learn about regenerative agriculture. You’ll have a chance to view the different techniques used and ask questions. Regenerative growing differs from other organic methods and conventional agriculture. Learn more Bowen Island Food Resilience.
Cocoa West Organic Chocolatier
September 22 – October 22
Cocoa West Organic Chocolatier has been making chocolates for over 21 years! And it’s no exaggeration to say, they’ve earned many loyal followers over the years. Located in Artisan Square, you’ll find a sweet little Chocolate Café. In addition to a delicious variety of chocolates and chocolate foods, such as hot chocolate, you can enjoy gelato and hot or cold beverages. In celebration of the autumn season and made especially for BFF, the Cocoa West team is creating a special trio of pie chocolates – apple, pumpkin and pecan. Pie + Chocolate! Now that sounds like a winning combination. Learn more at Cocoa West.
Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant
September 22 – October 22
Even though the days are getting shorter and cooler, you can still dine outside and enjoy Doc Morgan’s amazing patios and harbour views. Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant is well known for their West Coast casual fare and they’re much loved by both locals and visitors. The perfect location to enjoy a meal and drinks with family and friends. For Bowen Food Fest Doc’s is launching a New Autumn Menu and each week, from September 22 – October 22, Doc’s will offer a new BFF Fresh Sheet with specials. Learn more at Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant.
Eat Drink Paint with artist Janet Esseiva
October 19 • Doc Morgans Pub & Restaurant
Enjoy a drink and charcuterie while painting with Janet Esseiva. Janet is a talented local artist an an experienced teacher. Meet Janet. This event is a fundraiser for Here’s Bowen Arts! Tour 2024. Register online.
Rileys Cidery
September 22 – October 22
Situated on a one-of-a-kind orchard with almost 1,000 heritage apple varieties, Riley’s Cidery is a small family-run cidery, dedicated to sustainable agriculture. Riley’s Cidery opened in July 2021, but they have already won many international cider awards. Riley’s has a tasting room and a bring-your-own-picnic area. During BFF, reserve your tasting and you’ll learn about new cider releases coming soon. Learn more at Rileys Cidery.
Tell Your Friends Café
September 22 – October 22
Coffee, food and friends with a view! Enjoy fresh, wholesome foods, including many vegan and gluten-free options. Tell Your Friends is a welcoming casual café, where you can kick back and enjoy the harbour view while you dine. Serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and snacks, you may be inspired to tell your friends… Check back here for BFF details. Tell Your Friends Café.
Get creative with The Burrow Studio.
The Burrow will be collaborating with locals and hosting a couple of special BFF creative events in their sweet Artisan Square studio. Stay tuned for more details to be announced. Learn more The Burrow.
The Hearth – Gallery and Gift Store
September 22 – October 22
Artists of all types have shown their work at the Hearth Gallery & Gift Shop, from authors, to painters, sculptors, performers, potters, and many more. Over 80 artists are represented in the Hearth Gift Shop. The Hearth Gallery is a non-profit community organization that serves as a key gathering place for Bowen’s community to engage with the arts in the form of workshops, classes, festivals, concerts, and many other cultural events. Stop in and add some home grown creations to your collection. Open daily except Tuesdays. Thank you for supporting our local creators! Learn more The Hearth.
The Ruddy on Bowen
September 22 – October 22
Located in Village Square, The Ruddy on Bowen is the island’s whole foods market and the Ruddy Café serves coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and grab & go lunches and snacks. For an independent grocery store, The Ruddy has everything you might need, including a large selection of fresh and local produce, cheese and dairy, meat and vegan options, breads and baked goods, and conventional and organic grocery items. The Ruddy is offering BFF weekly specials and be sure to check out the Ruddy Emporium, a selection of homewares, health & beauty and locally-sourced gifts. Learn more at The Ruddy on Bowen.
The Shed Eatery – Bowen Island Golf Course
September 22 – October 22
The Shed Eatery is excited to offer a special new Mexican-ish Tasting Menu for Bowen Food Fest. Mexican-ish will be offered from September 22 – October 3, so don’t delay. (A new tasting menu will be offered October 4 – 22).All are welcome to The Shed Eatery at the Bowen Island Golf Course. Located on the sunny southern tip of Hawaii… oops Bowen Island, The Shed Eatery serves lunch, dinner and drinks overlooking Howe Sound. Watch for whales while you dine:-) Learn more at The Shed Eatery.
tosh home & garden,
September 22 – October 22
tosh home & garden, Artisan Square, is brimming with decorative homeware, giftware, baby clothing and delicious local foods. During Bowen Food Fest you’re invited to visit tosh and sample some of their specialty local foods, including flavoured olive oils, vinegars, jams, coffee and more. These local foods make perfect gifts and tosh can gift wrap, too. Learn more tosh home & garden.
Tuscany Restaurant
September 22 – October 22
From romantic dinners to family-friendly feasts, Tuscany Restaurant is a little slice of Italy on Bowen Island. Featuring antipasto, handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and Italian classics, such as tiramisu, all dishes are freshly made, using simple ingredients and presented beautifully. Back by popular demand, Wednesday Pasta Nights. We highly recommend that make a reservation to avoid disappointment. Dine in or takeout. Tuscany Restaurant.
Whole Animal Butchery Workshops
Pig Butchery • Wednesday October 11 • register Eventbrite
Sausage Making • Wednesday October 18 • register Eventbrite
Join Chef Erik Miller for these hands-on butchery workshops at Meadowbrook Market. If you want to learn more about working with meats and about sustainable food practices, these workshops are informative and practical. Wednesday October 11 you’ll learn how to butcher an entire pig and take home 10-15 lbs of meat. Wednesday October 18 you’ll learn how to make sausage from scratch and take home 10 lbs of links. Classes include instruction and all required tools.