downtown dining week, dinners at nait, hayloft and darling, bannock fest, plus recipe of the week: avgolemono soup

the tomato top100 is live!

What do readers think are the best things to eat anbd drink in YEG? Part one of the Tomato Top100 is in the new March/April issue, on stands across the capital region. Part Two is online here. Also: Who topped the podium at the Canadian Culinary Championships? Who is cooking at Hot Chefs Cool Beats? And, glorious lemon recipes for the in-between season. Dive in!

Top100

downtown dining week is back!

What a great time to dine downtown. With over 70 restos of every style offering affordable and delicious multi-course menus—it’s a terrific way to try out somewhere new or revisit an old fave. Think Bar Bricco for delicious antipasti; and wine; Don’ya for nalysnyky; Bernadette’s for the outstanding bannock with mushroom pate; El Jardin for authentic Oaxacan cuisine and cocktails—from March 11-22. Visit here, and start making your resos!

Downtown Dining Week is Back!

get baking at heart of the home

Enjoy 20 per cent off baking equipment and accessories this month at Heart of the Home (12539 102 Avenue).

Get Baking at Heart of the Home

bannock fest is next thursday!

Bannock Fest is happening at the Telus World of Science, 5:30pm-8:30, Thursday, March 12. Taste bannock from a variety of characters, including Global’s Daintre Christenson! Enjoy the indigenous artisan market and play a lively game of Aunty Bingo. Tix: $30/p+; $15/child+.

Bannock Fest is next Thursday!

yeg poet laureate emeritus titilope sonuga at EPL’s kitchen

YEG poet laureate emeritus Titilope Sonuga leads a Nigerian cooking class, 1pm-4pm, Sunday, March 15 at EPL’s Kitchen (Stanley Milner Library). The class is part of the new Black Futures Month, by Feed the Soul. This hard-working volunteer group creates events, happenings and now, a Dining Guide, to bring attention to YEG’s black food community. We’ll have more on the Guide next week. In the meantime, sign up for the cooking class here.

Yeg Poet Laureate Emeritus Titilope Sonuga at EPL’s Kitchen

chartier whisky tasting for st paddy’s day

Enjoy a tasting with whisky enthusiast Sean Kincaid, paired with an Irish-ish bite, Sunday, March 15, two seatings, 4pm and 6pm, available. Tix: $55/p+.

Chartier Whisky Tasting for St Paddy’s Day

have dinner with 2025 ccc champ chef alex kim

Chef Alex Kim is also NAIT’s 2026 Hokanson Chef in Residence—especially exciting as it’s a homecoming of sorts. Alex graduated from NAIT’s Culinary program in 2011. “Coming back as the Hokanson Chef in Residence is deeply meaningful,” says chef. “It gives me the chance to share my knowledge, connect with students and celebrate the craft. I hope to encourage young chefs to pursue excellence, stay curious and always honour the ingredients they work with.” From March 23-27, Chef Kim, the culinary director at Five Sails in Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel, will work with the students during hands-on lessons, presentations and demonstrations. You can experience NAIT’s Chef in Residence program at lunch and dinner, Tuesday, March 26 and dinner on Friday, March 27. Call Tanya at 780-471-8676 to book.

Have Dinner with 2025 CCC Champ Chef Alex Kim

domaine de la bégude dinner at darling

Enjoy these outstanding wines from the highest point of Bandol in Provence paired with a terrific Darling menu. Although best known for its magnificent parcels of Mourvèdre, the winery is not just a historical treasure. Expect vibrant, expressive and approachable wines from this stellar estate, 5:3opm, Wednesday, March 25. Tix: $120/p+.

Domaine de la Bégude Dinner at Darling

hope family cabs with lakeside beef at hayloft dinner

Explore the full spectrum of Lakeside Farmstead beef with Hope Family Cabernet Sauvignon at a special dinner at Hayloft, 6pm, Thursday March 26. This night honours the craft of butchery and great winemaking, don’t miss it! Tix: $159/p+.

Hope Family Cabs with Lakeside Beef at Hayloft Dinner

recipe of the week: avgolemono soup

This lemon chicken soup is classic Greek dish, easy to make. You could even use a boullion cube if you had too. It’s light, lemony and soothing. We like it without chicken but if you have leftover chicken (or a rotisserie chicken) go ahead and add.

recipe of the week: avgolemono soup