Chef Chartrand’s journey of discovery, Mother’s Day dining, Lindsay Porter Fire Master, plus: recipe of the week

love your new kitchen?

Enter it in the Tomato Kitchen Design Awards. Whether it’s a reno or a new build, or you are a homeowner, designer or builder, there is a category for you. Also for commercial spaces too. Click the graphic below for info and enter by May 3.

shane chartrand’s prince rupert saga

Chef Shane Chartrand (SC by Shane Chartrand) is on a journey of discovery in Red Chef Revival, a six-part series by Black Rhino Creative (via Storyhive by Telus). Episode 3 explores chef’s search for identity, his affinity for Japanese food and culture and his excitement to discover what forms indigenous food takes in Prince Rupert. It’s a glorious episode, hypnotic and soulful. (If you are squeamish maybe don’t watch the part where Shane gets a hand-poked tattoo.)

Chef Chartrand has been making culinary waves for several years. He has appeared on Chopped Canada, was a Cook it Raw chef and the first indigenous chef to take top honours at a Gold Medal Plates competition, going on to compete nationally at CCC in 2017. Chef Chartrand is joined in the series with Algonquin chef Cezin Nottaway (Kitigan Zibi, Quebec) and Top Chef finalist, Rich Francis (Six Nations, Ontario). Watch here.

mother’s day, sunday, may 12

Taking your mother out on Mother’s Day? Consider these outstanding offers:

The Butternut Tree (9707 110 Street, thebutternuttree.ca) is offering both a Mother’s Day Brunch, 9:30am-2pm, and a Father’s Day Brunch, Sunday, June 16, 10am-2:30pm. No word yet on the menus or prices, but you know it will be seasonal, Canadian-focused and stellar. Reserve: 780-760-2271 or https://www.opentable.ca

Madison’s in the Union Bank Inn (10053 Jasper Avenue, unionbankinn.com) features a special a-la -carte menu for Mother’s Day Brunch. Two seatings, 10:00am and 12:30pm, $44.95/p+, children’s menu, $19.95/p+. Reserve: 780-401-2222, or www.unionbankinn.com.

XIX (5940 Mullen Way, 780- 395-1119 and 150 Bellerose Drive, St, Albert, 780-569-1819, dinenineteen.com) are laying on the Prime Rib + Champagne Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet, 10am-2pm, $48.95 for adults, $26.95 for 8-18, and kids under 8 no charge. Call the location of your choice to book.

Rosé all (Mothers) Day at Cavern (10169 104 Street, thecavern.ca/). On Sunday, May 12, from 1-4pm, enjoy a Rosé Cheese School with Cavern fare chosen to highlight the pink wine’s fresh and fruity flavours, $100/p+. Reserve: 780-455-1336.

Juniper Bistro (9514 87 Street, juniperbistro.com is having a Mothers Day High Tea from 2pm-5pm with mini scones with various toppings, savoury bites, sandwiches and a selection of Juniper’s toothsome sweets, $35/p. Reserve, call 780-490-6799.

chef lindsay porter shows them how it’s done

Lindsay Porter (London Local) knows her way around a cooking show (last year she won $16,000 on Guy Fieri’s Grocery Games). This time it’s Food Network Canada show, Fire Masters. London Local had a viewing party of the No Grits No Glory episode with a delish menu similar to the dishes she made on the show—seared Alberta beef tenderloin with smoked potato cream, charred swordfish with salsa verde and smoked peanuts, barbecued smoked pork chop with grits and greens. Dessert? Biscuits in a cast iron pan with grilled peaches and cream. Woo hoo! Watch Lindsay demolish the competition here.

tomato radio drops today

Tomato Radio talks to Caitlin Fulton and Blair Lebsack of RGE Rd about restaurant and family life during a renovation. Listen here.

a sign of spring

A friend discovered a bird nesting in her front door willow wreath. Inside the nest? Yes, those are four little eggs. Adorbs!

let them eat cake

Recipe of the week: pineapple coconut rum cake

This is a bit of a project, but it pays off in the taste and the absolute fabulousness of it all. Your Mum will be impressed!