Vancouver, B.C. – October 14, 2025 – Fairmont Pacific Rim announces the launch of an exclusive new culinary collaboration series at The Lobby Lounge & RawBar, spotlighting globally acclaimed chefs alongside the hotel’s Chef de Asian Cuisine, Youssef Jbari. Designed as a sequence of intimate, one-night-only dining experiences, the series will welcome just 40 guests per evening for immersive omakase-style menus rooted in precision, seasonality, and creative exchange.
The inaugural dinner on Monday, March 30 will feature Masayoshi Baba, marking a highly anticipated return to The Lobby Lounge & RawBar - his former culinary residency - following the continued success of his Michelin-starred restaurant, Masayoshi. This homecoming sets the tone for the series, blending legacy with evolution in a refined and deeply personal dining experience.
Together, Baba and Jbari will present a meticulously curated six-course omakase menu, showcasing hyper-seasonal ingredients through a lens of Japanese technique and Nikkei influence. The result is a dialogue between tradition and innovation - where precision, restraint, and bold flavour converge. Tickets are available for $189.00 per person.
“The opportunity to welcome Chef Baba back to this space feels incredibly meaningful,” says Jbari. “There is a shared respect for craftsmanship and storytelling through food, and this series allows us to explore that in a truly intimate way.”
Building on this momentum, the second dinner in the series will take place on Wednesday, May 6 in collaboration with Chef & Owner Riccardo Valvedere of UCHU Cevicheria & Raw Bar. Known for its vibrant expression of Peruvian cuisine, UCHU brings a dynamic counterpoint to Jbari’s Nikkei cuisine creating a natural synergy between Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions. Guests can expect a bold, flavour-forward menu that celebrates this cross-cultural exchange.
The series will conclude on Monday, June 1 with Hyunki Shin of Sushi Bar Shu, further cementing the series as a platform for some of Vancouver’s most respected culinary voices.
Each evening will be hosted in The Lobby Lounge & RawBar, offering an intimate, design-forward setting that mirrors the artistry on the plate. Thoughtful beverage pairings will complement each menu, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
This collaboration series underscores Fairmont Pacific Rim’s continued evolution as a culinary destination - where world-class talent, cultural exchange, and elevated hospitality intersect. Limited seating is available for each dinner.