Vancouver’s hospitality industry is a major part of the city’s identity, and the decisions made at City Hall can have a direct impact on the restaurants, bars, cafés, venues, suppliers and people who keep it moving.

On Friday, October 2, Chef’s Favourite will host Candidates on Crates, a special panel discussion bringing together candidates in Vancouver’s 2026 mayoral election for a conversation focused specifically on hospitality.

Hosted and moderated by James Grass of Mates on Crates, the panel will give candidates the opportunity to speak directly with members of Vancouver’s hospitality community, share their priorities and discuss how municipal policy can affect the industry.

This isn’t a traditional political debate.

Instead, Candidates on Crates is designed as an open, constructive and solutions-focused conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing hospitality in Vancouver — and what those seeking to lead the city believe can be done about them.

For hospitality professionals, it’s an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on issues that affect their businesses, teams and day-to-day operations. For the candidates, it’s a chance to engage directly with one of Vancouver’s most visible and diverse industries.

WHO

Participating Vancouver 2026 Mayoral Candidates:

Colleen Hardwick (TEAM)
Pete Fry (Green)
Rebecca Bligh (Vote Vancouver)
Muhammad Ahmad (Bright Future Vancouver)
Ken Sim (ABC Vancouver)
Amauri Caliman (Independent)
Kareem Allam (Vancouver Liberals)
Scott Gilbert (Independent)

WHEN

Friday, October 2, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

WHERE

Bargreen Ellingson (Loading Dock)
1250 E Georgia St
Vancouver, BC

WHAT TO EXPECT

The discussion will focus on the relationship between municipal government and Vancouver’s hospitality sector, giving participating candidates the opportunity to address industry concerns and discuss the policies, priorities and approaches they would bring to City Hall.

The format is intended to encourage thoughtful discussion rather than political theatre, with the conversation centred on hospitality and the people who work within it.

TICKETS

Attendance at the panel is limited to media and hospitality stakeholders.

Hospitality owners and operators can register here to sign up for tickets.

The event will be filmed and broadcast on our digital media channels.

Chef’s Favourite tells the stories of hospitality.

After 30 years in the industry, founder James Grass started Chef’s Favourite to help Vancouverites get to know the people behind their favourite restaurants, bars and cafés while supporting and celebrating the local hospitality community.

Those stories are shared through digital content and live experiences, with Mates on Crates serving as the flagship interview series across Instagram and TikTok.

With nearly 300 interviews, hundreds of articles and dozens of events produced over the past two years, Chef’s Favourite uses positive storytelling to spotlight the people, businesses and issues shaping Vancouver hospitality.