When the world’s top mixologists, spirits innovators, and hospitality icons descended on Vancouver for the 2025 North America’s 50 Best Bars gala, they expected sophistication, creativity, and a global standard of excellence. What they didn’t expect—yet deeply appreciated—was a moment of rooted authenticity and cultural reflection in the form of a single, elegant bite.
That moment came courtesy of Tawnshi Charcuterie, a Vancouver-based Indigenous culinary business that redefines the charcuterie experience through a cultural lens. At the gala’s welcome reception, Tawnshi provided a distinctive Indigenous canapé activation station, offering a taste of modern Métis and Gitxsan cuisine to some of the continent’s most discerning palates.
An Activation Station with Purpose
Rather than serving generic canapés, Tawnshi crafted a station that sparked dialogue and discovery. Guests sampled beautifully composed bites of apple sage butter bison on bannock with cedar jelly, brie, and walnut. Tawnshi staff were on hand to walk guests through this mouthful of experience and answer their questions.
In a room filled with cocktail royalty—from New York’s Superbueno to Mexico City’s reigning champion, Handshake Speakeasy—Tawnshi’s presence quietly stood out. It wasn’t just a catering moment; it was a cultural activation rooted in education, respect, and Indigenous resurgence.
Cultural Context at a Global Event
The 50 Best Bars gala, hosted for the first time in Canada, celebrated the best of the continent’s mixology scene—highlighting artistry, sustainability, and innovation across 50 top bars from New York, Mexico City, Toronto, Los Angeles, and beyond.
But it was the presence of Indigenous voices like Tawnshi’s that grounded the night in something deeper. In a celebration of global excellence, Tawnshi reminded attendees of the value of place, people, and past.
Through one canapé, we told a story that many had never heard before. And in doing so, set a new standard—not just for what we serve, but for how we honour where we are.
In Their Words: A Bite-Sized Welcome
Tawnshi’s activation offered more than just flavour. It offered a warm, edible hello—a “tawnshi”—to guests from across the continent. It was a reminder that even at the height of glamour, there is space for land-based knowledge, cultural exchange, and meaningful dialogue.
At the intersection of Indigenous tradition and culinary innovation, Tawnshi Charcuterie proved that the smallest bites can leave the most lasting impressions.
Thanks for having us Wildfire Experiential and Events to represent Destination Vancouver!