Every spring, lovers of all things local and gourmet come together to celebrate the best of the best… and you can join them! Tickets are now available for Love Local Manitoba 2024. 

Peter Fehr is the chef behind the popular, ever-growing food, beer, and wine event.  

“It started pretty organically in 2014,” he reflects. “I own Gourmet Inspirations where I make high-end sauces, rubs, and syrups, and I was selling them at farmer’s markets. One day I was talking with the vendor in the booth next to me, sort of dreaming about getting some vendors together, some musicians, and just doing something fun. We said, ‘How about we do Love Local Manitoba?’ The name came up just like that, in conversation. So we got a few other vendors on board and had a great evening hanging out, tasting food, and invited the public to join us. And that’s how it all began!” 

Fehr says the first-ever Love Local Manitoba event was fairly small, with just ten or twenty vendors in an intimate venue.  

“Now we've grown into the Victoria Inn Conference Centre with over forty vendors bringing everything from food, to beer, to wine. We'll have crispy crickets grown in Miami, Manitoba. And teas and breads and flavoured butters from Von Slicks and different coffee roasters… so yeah, we've got it all!” 

When you first arrive at the event, you’ll be handed a complimentary mocktail which is crafted by a local mixologist, and your ticket will include unlimited sampling.  

“There’s just so much food!” reveals Fehr. “Most people aren’t able to sample everything on offer, so I suggest that you only have a very light supper before the event.” 

Those who have attended Love Local Manitoba events in the past report that it’s a very fun, classy evening out, discovering the fine cuisine of Manitoba and supporting local food and beverage products made in the Keystone province. 

Of course, live music adds to the convivial atmosphere. This year Fehr says an accordion player and violinist will serenade guests for the evening. 

“You can come with your friends, your coworkers, or to celebrate a birthday,” encourages Fehr. “And if you buy in bundles of two, four, or six – you get a discount on your tickets.” 

Fehr says despite all the delicious food and drink available at the event, his favourite part of the evening is always seeing the smiles and hearing the shared laughter.  

“When groups come and they're having fun, sampling, tasting and talking about the food, and just enjoying themselves – that’s the best part of it all!” 

Love Local Manitoba 2024 takes place Saturday, March 16th from 5 to 9 pm at Winnipeg’s Victoria Inn on Wellington near the airport. Tickets are $40 each, available at lovelocalmb.com.