first ever harvest fest by the downtown business association
Enjoy special set brunch ($18) and dinner ($30 or $45) menus at 27 downtown restos, including Filistix, Madison’s, The Marc and Say Uncle. Check here for all the deets.
there is room
There are a few tix left for Lit Fest’s Tawâw, there is room, a talk with chef Shane Chartrand and co-author Jennifer Cockrall-King, 3pm, Saturday, October 19 in the Royal Alberta Museum Amiskwaciy Theatre. Chef Chartrand has been making culinary waves for several years. He has appeared on Chopped Canada, was a CookitRaw chef and was the first indigenous chef to take top honours at a Gold Medal Plates competition, going on to compete nationally at CCC in 2017. In his first cookbook, chef Chartrand explores his journey, both as a chef and as an indigenous man. It’s a beautiful and useful book, chockful of the flavours of the Prairies. Presented in partnership with FRAMS and the Downtown Business Association’s Harvest Week. Tix: $25++ eventbrite.com
an evening with laurent drouhin
Don’t miss this remarkable taste of Burgundy, Wednesday, October 23, at Wine & Beyond in Windermere. The Drouhin family owns parcels in every part of Burgundy (Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise) in notable Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards such as Clos des Mouches, Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, Corton-Charlemagne. The vineyards are looked after biodynamically to protect the soil and preserve the unique terroir of these storied vineyards. The tasting will examine seven wines under the expert eye of Laurent Drouhin. Laurent, along with his three siblings, now operate the family company started by their great grandfather Joseph. This event is an amazing value, only $40 to taste wines of this stature. Tix: $40++,
eventbrite.ca
gifts of hope
Plan to attend the Gifts of Hope Dinner in support of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, Thursday, October 24, at the Chateau Lacombe, with MC Nicola Crosbie. Don’t forget to bring cash for the raffle! Tix: $75, acws.inviteright.com
plant love at xix in st albert
Open your mind and your palate to something different at the Sprouting New Tastes Dinner at XIX St Albert (150 Bellerose Drive, St Albert), 6pm, Monday, October 28. The dinner is entirely plant based, along with a vegan beverage paired with each of the four courses. All the wine pairings are organic or biodynamic and sourced from small family-owned and operated vineyards. Tix: $80/p, call 780-569-1819 to book.
canada’s great kitchen party rocks the house
Congrats to all the chefs and their teams who competed in Canada’s Great Kitchen Party last week at the ECC. Doreen Prei (Zinc) took the bronze with a delicious ode to fall and sustainability—squash dumplings with toothsome maitake mushrooms, crispy discs of sunchoke and smoked pine nuts; silver was Serge Belair’s (ECC) amazing way with Four Whistle Farm duck. JP Dublado (River Cree) took gold with a sublime terrine with ube dumpling; colourful, delicious and enchanting. Of special note was Ryan Kotchkiss’ (Bundok) lamb dish; Scott Downey’s (Butternut Tree) introduction of carpenter ants to our palates (for the acidity) and Spencer Thompson’s (The Marc) sweetbreads. Thank you chefs!
