Before Danny Fazio and Ernesto Gomez started running a large-scale outdoor food festival every summer in the Olympic Village, they threw block parties in a parking lot at the Waldorf Hotel.

One of the events they organized was a Canada Day party a few years ago, and all of their favourite food trucks were invited to the East Has­tings venue. They immediately recognized that these vehicles attracted huge crowds.

“We noticed that the trucks were getting a lot more attention than the music or the entertainment that we were booking as well,” said Fazio, who is also director of the Arrival Agency with Gomez, in a phone interview with the Straight. So, they decided to create an event that was wholly dedicated to food trucks.

And that was how the Food Cart Fest was born in 2012. Vancouver is known to be a haven for foodies, who have embraced the city’s diverse food-truck options. But going into its fifth anniversary, there are a lot of big changes to this year’s festival.

The food scene in Vancouver is constantly changing, and it was clear to Fazio and Gomez that the Food Cart Fest was limiting because the street food scene was evolving beyond food trucks.

“There’s lots of other young food entrepreneurs that don’t have a truck but are doing stuff, and there’s lots of restaurants that are interested in being part of the street food scene and want to come in and do street food,” explained Fazio. “We wanted to expand some of the additional ideas we had for programming within the festival, and the food cart umbrella didn’t really work with that, either.”

In order to include all the other elements that are growing within this culinary sphere, the cofounders of the Food Cart Fest decided to rebrand the annual event as the YVR Food Fest—a two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday (August 6 and 7) in the Olympic Village, with a launch party on Friday (August 5) at the Fox Cabaret.

What does this mean for long-time supporters of the Food Cart Fest? An array of food trucks will still be participating, including favourites such as Mom’s Grilled Cheese, Tacofino, Vij’s Railway Express, and Yolks. Fazio also suggests checking out some of the newer food vendors, such as Nice Vice Creamery, Mr. Arancino, and Bao Down.

However, guests can also expect brand-new elements at the newly rebranded foodie extravaganza, including the Food for Thought speaker series at Science World on Sunday (August 7).

“We’re bringing together some of the brightest minds in the Vancouver food scene and they will be talking about ideas they are passionate about,” said Fazio, before listing names such as the Straight’s Kurtis Kolt and chef Trevor Bird of Fable Diner.

Other highlights at the YVR Food Fest include an open-air market operated in partnership with East Side Flea; food booths by brick-and-mortar restaurants like Nuba, Bao Down, and the Flying Pig; and ticket options to give you full access to over 80 food carts, restaurants, breweries, and wineries at the festival.

One such option is the VIP taster ticket ($30 plus tax), which allows guests to have small bites from each food vendor. This ticket includes entry to the festival from 11 a.m. onward, four tasters, and two drinks (alcohol or nonalcohol).

“As a customer, you’ll be able to walk around to all the different trucks and restaurants and carts to get little tasters. So you’re going to be able to try tons of stuff, which is a really fun experience,” explained Fazio.

He insisted that music is another important part of the food festival. (Fazio and Gomez also run the Fox Cabaret.)

“We’re bringing in awesome DJs like Flipout, My Gay Husband, Marvel, and more,” said Fazio. “We have a lot of really, really talented DJs who know how to get a party going.”

The two are no strangers to putting on successful and entertaining bashes. The Arrival Agency puts on events that range from a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Hotel Vancouver to programming at the West 4th Avenue Khatsahlano Street Party.

There are a lot of outdoor festivals in Vancouver during the summer—because folks in the city clearly enjoy sunshine and the summer breeze—but Fazio hopes that the YVR Food Fest will stand out.

“I think it’s a great way to check in with the Vancouver food scene to see what’s happening,” he added. “It’s also a good way to experience summer in Vancouver and to enjoy being outside with your community.”

The YVR Food Fest launch party is on Friday (August 5) at the Fox Cabaret (2321 Main Street). The YVR Food Fest takes place on Saturday and Sunday (August 6 and 7) in the Olympic Village. The Food for Thought speaker series is on Sunday (August 7) at Science World.