What’s up on Edmonton’s food scene in January and February —wine events, special dinners, openings and cooking classes.
wine tastings, happenings and events
The Marc (9940 106 Street, 780-429-2828, themarc.ca) has two fine Sunday Supper Clubs coming up. On Sunday, January 19, have dinner with Peter Jackson, the creator of Jack’s Grill. Peter grows grapes in Nova Scotia now for Lightfoot & Wolfville Winery. Tix: $130/p all in. Sunday, February 16 is the Spain and Tapas Dinner with menu by the Marc’s chef Spencer Thompson. Tix: $85/p all in. Call to book.
The Edmonton Whisky Festival is Wednesday, January 15 at the Delta Edmonton South. The event features some of the world’s best whisky—175 selections from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the USA. Enjoy VIP admission early; the Victoria Caledonian Masterclass with Graeme Macaloney; bid on a number of whisky-themed items and try some haggis (or not). All proceeds to the MS Society of Canada. Tix: $90-$175/p+, Eventbrite.
Learn to make your own fine chocolates at Sweet Lollapalooza Confections (10155 102 Street, 780-436-3190, sweetlollapalooza.com) with owner/chocolatier Brett Roy, Saturday, January 25, from 12-3pm. Tix: $100/p++, Eventbrite.
The Edmonton Permaculture Guild is having its AGM and community potluck on Saturday, January 18, from 2:30-5:30pm, at the Ritchie Community League (7727 98 Street). For more info, visit the League’s website at edmontonpermacultureguild.ca.
Like beer? Love pizza? Check this out. Favoloso Italian Café (13240 118 Avenue, 780-454-6329, favolosocafe.com) first beer school of the year kicks off with Seven Degrees of Wild Pizza and Wicked Beers. Taste seven terrific pizzas specially created for the night paired with seven craft beers from the Ale Architects, Bent Stick, Banff Brewing, Ecliptic, De Ranke, Brouwerij Bosteels and Folding Mountain, Saturday, January 18, 7-10pm. Tix: $75/p++ Eventbrite.
Learn about single origin coffee and chocolate and how to pair them with Jacek Chocolate and Credo Coffee, Saturday, January 18, 7:30-9:00pm at Credo Coffee (10350 124 Street, credocoffee.ca). Tix: $100/p++, Eventbrite.
Join wine lovers for a spectacular night at For the Love of Wine, the fundraiser for Kid’s Kottage, Saturday, February 1 at the DoubleTree Inn. The VIP experience features superlative Italian reds chosen by Juanita Roos of Color de Vino. (Juanita and family are major sponsors of the event, donating time and wine, with the help of several wine agents and producers). The VIP starts at 5:30pm, the main event at 7pm. This is a beautiful event with amazing wine. Tix, from $100/p, kidskottage.org.
Love beer, spirits and winter sports? Enjoy them all at the Jasper Beer & Spirits Festival, January 31 to February 2 at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Book the weekend VIP retreat or just the grand tasting events. Tix: from S99/p+. Visit albertabeerfestivals.com.
From Thursday, January 30 to Saturday, February 1, the Mill Creek Ravine transforms into a mystical place of myth, light and merriment. It’s the weekend of the Flying Canoë Volant. Inspired by the legend of the flying canoe and French Canadian, First Nations and Métis traditions, the interactive cultural event celebrates our beautiful Mill Creek Ravine, the French Quarter and the magic of a winter’s night. There are lighting installations, canoe races, actors, the Métis Camp (bannock!), the Trappers Cabin (to hear the legend), music and dancing, food and drink, along with a full program for the kids. Program at flyingcanoevolant.ca.
restaurant buzz
Chef Roger Létourneau is joining the Meuwly’s (10706 124 Street, 587-786-3560, meuwlys.com) kitchen team. He’s working on an evening menu that will debut this spring, depending on the liquor license. We are very excited about this—Roger is a terrific chef and can’t wait to see how he will work with Meuwly’s signature charcuterie and preserves. It’s also great to know that Meuwly’s will be open at night.
Two new spots by restaurateur Kevin Cam opened downtown late last year; the eagerly awaited Royale Burgers & Beer (10145 104 Street, royalyeg.com) and yes, that is a Pulp Fiction reference, in the old Blue Plate Diner space and Pablo (10432 Jasper Avenue, pabloyeg.com) with a laid back ‘70s vibe, James Grant shaking cocktails and a secret entrance. Check them out!
Attention all somms! The La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Regional Jeunes Sommeliers Competition (ages 21-31) is in Calgary April 4 and 25 sponsored by the Wines of Argentina trade group. Candidates will be tested in theory, service and blind tasting based on the Court of Master Sommelier competition rules. The top candidate will have the opportunity to write the Canadian National Chaîne des Rotisseurs Jeunes Sommeliers exam, with the national winner to competing in Paris in September. All Alberta sommeliers are invited to enter; deadline for registration is March 20. Visit chainecalgary.ca to enter.
product news
Find lots of cool specials every weekend in January and February, and on the weekend of January 11, Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue, 780-705-4928, heartofthehomeyeg.ca) is having their annual Warehouse Sale. Heart of the Home is closed Mondays and Tuesdays until March.
Zocalo’s (10826 95 Street, 780-428-0754, zocalo.ca) Happy Hour in the Greenhouse, Thursdays and Fridays from 4-8pm, resumes the second week in January. Enjoy a libation amidst the greenery—what a lovely respite from winter—as well as their delish tapas menu to nosh.
Love to share charcuterie with the ones you love? Meuwly’s (10706 124 Street, 587-786-3560, meuwlys.com) offers the special Charcuterie for Two boxes for Valentine’s Day— house-cured salami, pickles, condiments, cheeses and a fresh baguette. Yum. Visit the website to order.
at the cooking schools
It’s time to embrace your inner Baba at a Ukrainian cooking class at Kitchen by Brad (10130 105 Street, 780-757-7704, kitchenbybrad.ca). Learn to make the classics—pyrohy, nachynka, nalysknky and other Kitchen specialties like cabbage rolls with bacon, bigos and Ukrainian gravy with wild mushrooms. Classes are Saturday, January 11, 18 and 25, starting at 12:30pm. Tix, $145/p+, book at kitchenbybrad.ca.
The Ruby Apron’s new schedule drops January 6. See something you like? Don’t delay, these classes fill up quickly, especially the sourdough. Book at therubyapron.ca.
NAIT’s legendary Boot Camps are back! Pastry Boot Camps (BAKG330) are offered July 6–10 or July 13–17 and the Culinary Boot Camps (CULG305) are offered July 7–10 or July 14–17. There are no better comprehensive cooking courses offered in the area other than these. NAIT also holds a raft of other cooking classes from kitchen skills to baking, pizza, vegan and vegetarian and international cooking. Visit nait.ca for more information and to register.