Chef Ned Bell Pops Up In Burnaby With A Locally Sourced, Flavour-Forward Dining Experience

Vancouver food lovers, rejoice—Chef Ned Bell is stepping back into the kitchen for a limited time, and he’s doing it with purpose, passion, and a whole lot of BC flavour. From April 3 to 26, Bell will host a 12-night pop-up at The Gray Olive Cafeteria in Burnaby Heights, offering a three-course, prix-fixe menu that celebrates the best of the province’s producers, fishers, farmers, and artisans.

The pop-up, titled In The Heights, runs Thursday through Saturday evenings and is a love letter to the bounty of British Columbia. Bell’s hyper-seasonal menu features sustainably sourced seafood, locally grown produce, and thoughtfully crafted dishes designed to nourish and inspire. Expect comforting, elevated West Coast cuisine—like creamy geoduck and halibut chowder, albacore tuna tacos, and roasted wild Pacific halibut—delivered with Bell’s signature finesse.

But this isn’t just a return to fine food—it’s a return to community.

“This pop-up is the perfect way to jump back into the restaurant world I love so much,” says Bell. “It’s also a fantastic opportunity to spotlight the BC makers and food producers who need our support now more than ever.”

Joining Bell for the experience is acclaimed hospitality expert Kurtis Kolt, who has curated an inspired non-alcoholic beverage pairing menu that rivals even the finest wine flights. With zero-proof cocktails, premium alcohol-free wines, and craft NA beer, Kolt’s pairings prove that opting out of alcohol doesn’t mean sacrificing flavour or sophistication.

“This isn’t about missing out,” Kolt says. “It’s about discovering something new.”

Each night includes a three-course dinner, with optional add-ons and day-of features available. Tickets are $99, including tax and gratuity, and must be pre-purchased via Eventbrite. Non-alcoholic pairings are available on-site for an additional $28.

Menu Highlights

• Creamy Geoduck + Halibut Chowder with Salt Spring olive oil, smoked bacon, and sumac
• Albacore Tuna Tacos with honey lime miso, cucumbers, radishes, and sesame
• 63 Acres Beef Tenderloin with potato purée, celery hearts, and maple-black pepper emulsion
• Milk Chocolate + Cranberry Dessert with hazelnut gelato
• Thoughtful non-alcoholic pairings by Kurtis Kolt

Event Details
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays — April 3 to 26
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: The Gray Olive Cafeteria, 4190 Hastings Street, Burnaby, BC
Tickets: $99 (includes three-course dinner, gratuity, GST, and Eventbrite fees)
Beverage Pairings: $28, available onsite

With limited seating and only 12 nights to experience this special collaboration, this is a must-book dining moment for Vancouver’s culinary crowd. Reserve your seat now! —Vita Daily