Banff has always been a dining destination, but recently, the number of travel-worthy restaurants has skyrocketed. Superstar chefs have found their way to the town and brought some unique bars and restaurants to the food scene as a result. Made With Love recognizes this exciting new culinary wave and is bringing a new food and drink festival to the Rockies.
From April 10 to 23, Made With Love – Banff Food and Cocktail Festival celebrates Banff’s dining pedigree with a two-week long festival with a cocktail twist, featuring food and cocktail pairings at participating restaurants. The festival also brings a number of events, deals and programs to Banff, before culminating in a two-day, outdoor cocktail tasting event and competition.
Here are a few things to know about Made With Love Banff before hitting the road.
Made With Love started as an international mixology competition
Known for its international mixology competitions, Made With Love showcases the best and most forward-thinking bartenders and drink-makers, and puts them to the test. Made With Love also operates a bartending school out of Montreal, so hosting a cocktail and dining festival is an obvious extension of that expertise.
More than 25 restaurants will offer special cocktails and food pairings during the festival
Restaurants from all over Banff are participating in the first portion of the festival. From April 10 to 23, participants will be offering special festival-only cocktails to share with guests. The lineup includes spots like Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar, Shoku Izakaya, Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar and more. The full list of cocktails on offer will be released closer to the festival launch.
Don’t miss the main event: a two-day, outdoor cocktail tasting event and competition
On April 21 and 22, Bear Street will play host to the main event of Made With Love Banff — a cocktail tasting event and competition along the pedestrian-only street. On April 22, the Made With Love Cocktail Competition National Finals will take place where the public can sample the cocktails and vote for their favourite.
Made With Love Banff brings a symposium for the culinarily minded
On April 23 at Fairmont Banff Springs, hospitality professionals (or those who just enjoy the trade) can hear from a number of expert speakers, including international beverage legends and local business owners and chefs. Presentations range in topic from the use of bitters in cocktails to the sustainable use of locally sourced products and ingredients.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit madewithlovebanff.com