Wellness Show focuses on families as well as fitness, nutrition, and health

by Lucy Lau, Tammy Kwan on February 3rd, 2016 at 4:13 PM

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Recognized as the largest holistic and healthy-living trade show on the West Coast, the Wellness Show returns for its 24th year next weekend (February 12 to 14) at the Vancouver Convention Centre’s East building (999 Canada Place). In addition to a roster of celebrity-chef presenters, fitness demonstrations, and health seminars, this year’s show features a Healthy Families Workshops stage where attendees can involve the entire brood in a number of family-oriented seminars.

Here are our top picks of the most delicious workshops to catch during the three-day event.

Chef Victor Bongo will speak on the Healthy Families stage.

Kid-Made Pasta

Culinary master Victor Bongo will take the Healthy Families stage on Friday (February 12) at 1:30 p.m. for a lesson in healthy (and tot-friendly) eating. Two young assistants will join the chef on-stage, and together they’ll be making fresh spaghetti with tomato sauce and organic-turkey meatballs. The African-Canadian talent is the author of a number of cookbooks and serves on the advisory board of Super Chefs of the Universe, a children’s program that teaches healthy eating habits.

Blissful Snacks

Still on the Healthy Families stage, cookbook author Jennifer Browne will be showing guests how to make a simple and raw nut-free snack for kids on Saturday (February 13) at 3 p.m. These bliss balls are high in healthy plant-based protein and fibre, and samples will be provided to the audience. Attendees will also have a chance to win three of Browne’s healthy-living cookbooks.

Cascadian Cooking

Over on the Celebrity Cooking Stage on Sunday (February 14) at 3 p.m., chef Sarah Stewart will appear to share her passion for Cascadian-style cuisine. Taking five from her post at one of Vancouver’s most buzzed-about new restaurants, Juniper, Stewart will cook up a seared duck breast, served with warm kale and a roasted parsnip salad tossed in sweet blueberry vinaigrette. The seminar’s focus? Fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the same tried-and-true cooking techniques that have earned Juniper praise as one of the most inventive spots in town.

For more information on the Wellness Show or to purchase tickets, see the Wellness Show website.