"With the Chef" offers deliciously intimate experiences with top local culinary talents

Chew On This Tasty Tours’ dining adventure sits guests down for a juicy chat with chefs like Down2Earth Plant Parlour’s Alysa Ferguson

SPONSORED POST BY Tourism Langley

Alysa Ferguson, chef-owner of Down2Earth Plant Parlour (left), and Lise Hines, founder of “With the Chef” and Chew On This Tasty Tours.

Going out for a tantalizing meal is one thing; it’s quite another to dig deeper into the dishes by getting to know the person who made them. “With The Chef”, a new culinary adventure from Chew On This Tasty Tours, does just that, adding depth to local dining experiences by giving people the chance to connect with chefs up-close over a bespoke dinner.

Designed by Lise Hines, founder of Chew On This Tasty Tours, “With the Chef” introduces small groups to exceptional culinary talents for an intimate look into their world: their culinary philosophy, what inspires them in crafting a menu, and what they hope guests take away from the experience. At the same time, diners get to savour an all-inclusive, customized meal that the chef has created just for them.

The latest kitchen maven to be featured in “With the Chef” is Alysa Ferguson, chef-owner of Down2Earth Plant Parlour. Born and raised in Langley, Ferguson opened the darling plant-based restaurant in 2019 to feel like an extension of her home, a warm, cozy space for delicious, nourishing meals.

“I hope to bring an approachability to vegetables and a plant-based diet that you haven’t experienced before, especially if you’re just a little vegan-curious and don't yet know where to start,” Ferguson says. “Living a plant-based lifestyle is about more than just food. It’s about showing more compassion to others, committing to sustainability, and staying connected to your health—body, mind, and soul.”

Down2Earth Plant Parlour.

At Down2Earth Plant Parlour, guests will feast on Ferguson’s plant-based tasting menu, complete with a cocktail imagined especially for this event crafted from locally made spirits. Through one-on-one time with the personable chef, diners get to hear about her Italian heritage, her journey of shifting to a plant-based lifestyle, and how she went about designing the restaurant.

Diners will discover that eating vegan doesn’t mean sacrificing variety, flavour, or nourishment. They’re encouraged to ask the chef questions about plant-based living, particularly over dessert and a hot cup of goodness shared together at the end of the evening. Guests will glean valuable cooking tips, whether they want to fully transition to a vegan diet or simply wish to incorporate more plant-based meals into their week.

Down2Earth Plant Parlour.

Available to book year-round, based on diners’ own schedules and chefs’ availability, “With the Chef” is an ideal experience for couples, groups of friends, or corporate teams; it makes for a terrific gift or special occasion. Hines hopes to curate these intimate chef experiences all across Canada in a variety of cuisines.

Originally launched in 2022 in collaboration with celebrity chef Vikram Vij at his South Surrey restaurant, My Shanti, “With the Chef” has earned rave reviews.

“People love to make an actual connection with chefs they admire,” says Hines, who also offers a tour based on the Surrey Spice Trail. “Guests get to know what chefs, and their cuisine, are really all about, with eyes, ears, and taste buds all in play.” 

“With the Chef” is a 2.5-hour experience, starting from $155 per person. Full details are at chewonthistastytours.com.

Down2Earth Plant Parlour.

Post sponsored by Tourism Langley.