The Groupon Bite of Seattle festival took place this past weekend (July 21 to 23), and the massive food and drink extravaganza offered not only some fine fare but also a few bright ideas that would likely fly in Vancouver.

The Bite fest is kind of a cross between the Khatsalano Street Party and the YVR Food Fest: think scores of food trucks along with four live music stages, not to mention craft-beer and cider tastings, outdoor beer gardens, and live cooking demonstrations. There was even a free outdoor movie screening.

The food on offer ranged from poke and power smoothies to alligator on a stick and dim sum; you could also find elk burgers, deep-fried Oreos, and gourmet tapenades.

There were a few other items that stood out, some that I bet Vancouver would likely embrace with gusto.

Check them out.

Midnight Cookie Co. offers late-night cookie delivery. With pot soon to be legal, what could be better for locals with the munchies than a warm batch of Snickerdoodles or Chocolate Chip cookies appearing at your door in the wee hours of the morning? Freshly baked, so to speak, these chewy treats would top Lay’s potato chips any day. There are vegan options, too.

Such a Slush Wine Slush sells an all-natural mix that you stir in with your favourite red, white, or sparkling wine to freeze into slushies for adults, but you can also hire the company to bring its slushy machine to have on hand at weddings or parties. A great alternative to the chocolate fountain.

Classic Catering Salmon Bake consists of whole sides of wild salmon on cedar stakes standing next to an open fire, resulting in a smokily delicious flavour served with a side of spectacle.  

With free admission and all food under $10, Bite of Seattle has been taking place annually since 1982 as a way to showcase the local food scene. This year’s event took place at Seattle Center and drew approximately 400,000 people.