PAUL NURSEY
VICTORIA – Last week, I had the honour of presenting the Best New Restaurant award at the 2024 YAM Best Restaurant Awards. The awards celebrate the best of Greater Victoria’s culinary scene and the hundreds drinking and dining establishments from Sooke to Swartz Bay that are a key component of our region’s visitor economy.
As an organization that works hard to promote Greater Victoria’s expert chefs, farmers and purveyors, Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) is a proud sponsor of the annual awards, which celebrates winners in numerous categories, such as Best Cocktail Bar/Lounge, Producer of the Year, Best Brunch, Best Patio and Best Casual, as well as as Best Middle Eastern/North African, South or Southeast Asian, Latin, European, East Asian and Plant-Based.
With more restaurants per capita than any city in Canada, there’s no question that Greater Victoria is a foodie destination. Local residents have known it for a long time and now the rest of the world knows it too. For example, Greater Victoria was recently named one of the top three destinations for food in Canada by Chef’s Plate and the #8 Best City for Food in the World by Conde Nast Traveller readers. Accolades like these play an important role in growing our region’s culinary and agricultural tourism sector, which contributes significantly to the visitor economy in peak and off-peak seasons.
DGV encourages local residents and visitors to taste the best our region has to offer through delicious culinary events such as the Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiative Roundtable’s Flavour Trails program, which this year expands with the inaugural Savour Saanich Flavour Trails Festival in July joining the 18th Annual North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival in August. The festivals’ interactive tours, demonstrations, tastings and experiences are a great way to celebrate the quality and creativity of the Capital Region’s harvesters, farmers, fishers, food producers, chefs, vintners, cider makers, brewers and distillers.
Another great way that DGV celebrates our vibrant food scene and supports restaurants during the off-peak season is through Dine Around and Stay in Town. Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, the event sees dozens of restaurants and hotels showcase their culinary excellence with mouthwatering set menus offered at deliciously low prices.
From the farmers and producers growing our fresh local ingredients to the restaurants, chefs, brewers and staff serving up unforgettable creations and experiences, DGV salutes everyone supporting Greater Victoria’s year-round culinary tourism sector.
Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria
