Kelowna named a food pick

Eater’s “Top 15” roundup is presented alphabetically rather than as a ranked list, a point noted in local coverage of the selection. (kelownanow.com)) The piece on Kelowna was reported by Portland-based freelancer Zoe Baillargeon, who visited the Okanagan in summer 2025 as part of an Iconic Wineries of BC/Destination BC familiarization trip and singled out restaurants Kin & Folk, Wildling, The Terrace at Mission Hill, Home Block at Cedar Creek, plus breakfast spot The Jammery and the North End neighbourhood. (kelownanow.com)) Baillargeon’s write-up emphasized Indigenous input to the region’s food identity and noted that the Westbank First Nation collaborated on Kelowna’s UNESCO application. (kelownanow.com)) Kelowna was officially designated Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy on October 31, 2025, in a joint announcement from the City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. (en.ccunesco.ca)) Tourism Kelowna framed Eater’s mention as amplifying the “global momentum” generated by the UNESCO designation and as an opportunity to highlight Okanagan producers and wineries. (tourismkelowna.com)) Eater placed Kelowna alongside a geographically broad group of destinations on the same list, including Bengaluru, Cape Town, the Isle of Skye, Milan, Traverse City (Michigan) and La Paz, illustrating the site’s mix of major and smaller culinary hubs. (castanet.net)) Eater editor Nick Mancall‑Bitel said the outlet looked for “outstanding restaurants and the people who ardently endorse them” when assembling the Top 15, a methodology cited in coverage of the list. (prismnews.com))