dig in at the st. albert horticulinary festival
Dinner with Mary Berg of Gusto TV, Culinary Bike Tours and lots of hands-on Make and Take Workshops — edible flowers, tomatoes; cooking with Elyse Chatterton; herbs for cocktails with Black Diamond Distillery — this event is a gardeners delight. The Dig In Horticulinary Festival in St Albert, May 1-6. Tix: $0-$120, https://www.eventbrite.ca/.
butternut tree chef de partie competes in hawksworth young chef challenge
Michel Nasrabadi, chef de partie of the Butternut Tree is a regional finalist in the Hawksworth Young Chef Competition. On May 5 he will compete in Calgary for the chance to go through to the national event.
“My only other competitions were internal ones at Joey”, says Michel. “My dish is basted sable fish with roasted tomato, braised radish, sous vide asparagus and crispy potatoes. It has small nuances that tie things together, so the judges can see why I chose these flavours.”
The competition is open to chefs under 28, working full time in a professional kitchen. What’s at stake? The winner receives $10,000 and a stage at a selected top international restaurant. For full contest details and information about the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Foundation visit http://hawksworthscholarship.com. Bon chance Michel!
need new leathers?
“If cooking is rock ‘n’ roll, Japanese kitchen knives are the leather pants,” says Knifewear founder Kevin Kent. If your leathers are looking a bit tatty, get yourself down to the Garage Sale at Knifewear (10820 82 Avenue, 587-521-2034 https://knifewear.com) where you will find all sorts of great Japanese knives on sale until April 22. Rock on.
off sales at rge rd
Every month, RGE RD (10643 123, 780-4577, https://www.rgerd.ca) opens for a few afternoons to sell the wonderful sausages, pâté, terrines and the fresh-baked bread that they serve in the restaurant. This month it’s on April 19, 20, 21 from 12-4pm. Keep in mind that when they sell out it’s done; if you have something particular in mind, best to call and pre-order.
sale! sale! sale!
Heart of the Home has teamed up with Cloud Nine Pajamas and Modern Sole for the YEG VIP Clearance Sale at the Crestwood Community League (14325 96 Avenue) on Saturday, April 21, from 9am-4pm. A sale on pjs, shoes and kitchen ware? That sounds like a party.
new prairie rye bread at bon ton
Check out the new Prairie Rye loaf at Bon Ton Bakery (8720 149 Street, 780-489-7717 http://bonton.ca) made with 70 per cent Gold Forest Grains organic rye flour and 30 per cent organic white flour. “It begins with a natural sour culture and we add organic sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds and sea salt,” says manager Gerry Semler. “Each loaf is approximately 2 lbs and packed full of nutrition. The seeds are pre-soaked and the whole loaf goes through a 40-hour fermentation process.” And did we mention it’s deliciously toothsome with a dense texture, excellent for cheeses or open-faced sandwiches? YUM.
big bottles in the butchery
Another fun event at RGE RD is the Big Bottles in the Butchery. Glasses of wine from magnums and large format beers are poured to complement a small plates menu (including beef fat-fried donuts with liver mousse this month). No reservations. Communal seating. April 24, 5pm
love g&t?
Forget buying tonic, limes and all that bother. Eau Claire, the Turner Valley based distillery, has just launched gin & tonic in a can. The company’s award-winning Parlour Gin is made with Alberta barley, and rosehip, Saskatoon berry, coriander and lemon are among the botanicals that create the gin’s delicious flavours and aromatics. Eau Claire’s master distiller, Caitlin Quinn, paired it with their very own tonic water from Eau Claire Soda Company to create a refreshing ready-to-drink G&T, with 6 per cent alcohol, ideal for patios, camping or the golf course. G&T, packs of four, 355ml cans, $14.95. Served chilled.
