chocolate advent, hip hop halloween, bender at holt’s, plus: recipe of the week

chocolate advent calendar

The Violet Chocolate Co. Advent Calendar is available for ordering this Friday! The calendar feature bar bites, meltaways, and truffles with no nuts. Pre-order on the website www.thevioletchocolatecompany.com

Violet chocolate advent calendar

maps, markets and matzo ball soup launches October 28

Maps, Markets and Matzo Ball Soup, the Gail Hall memoir by Twyla Campbell, launches 7pm, Sunday, October 28, at Audreys Books (10702 Jasper Avenue, 780-423-3487) “Taking on this project was intimidating. Her story deserved to be told well and with authenticity, and I didn’t want to let her down,” said Twyla. Twyla will also be signing copies at a reception at Kitchen by Brad (10130 105 Street,780) 757-7704 on Saturday, November 3, from 1pm-3 pm.

Maps, Markets and Matzo Ball Soup Gail Hall

hip hop halloween brunch with chris labrenz at why not café

Have a little spooky little brunch Sunday, October 28, 10am-2pm with hip hop and a delish menu by Levi Biddlecomb at the Why Not Café, (8534 109 Street, second floor, 780-297-5757). Artist Chris Labrenz will be on hand to talk horror, pop culture art and to do some live drawing. Call 780-297-5757 to book.

why not cafe hip hop halloween brunch

dinner with bender

One of our favourite winemakers, Andreas Bender, is in town for the Festive Flavours-Roots Matter dinner at Holt’s Café, 5:30 pm, Friday, November 2. Enjoy the reception with Bender Sekt followed by four courses with four wines. Tix, $95 all in, call 780-425-5300 ext. 62901, or email heathernelson@holtrenfrew.com. “The apples are from my Dad’s tree, the beets from his garden and Valerie supplied those solar carrots,” says chef Julia Kundera. Can’t get much more local than that.

Chef Julia Kundera, Holt’s Café with Andreas Bender, Bender Wines
Chef Julia Kundera, Holt’s Café with Andreas Bender, Bender Wines

knifenerd guide to japanese knives

Kevin Kent, the über-knife nerd, launches his book Friday, November 2, 7pm-9pm at a party at Knifewear (10820 82 Avenue, 587-521-2034). Expect beer and hot dogs, a giant chuka bocho, aka Chinese cleaver. (“It’s a humongous blade I’m rather frightened of, which is a new experience for me,” says Kevin) and knife-skills demos. The book focuses on the talented blacksmiths Kevin has gotten to know during his exploration of Japanese knife culture and answers pretty much every question we have about knives and why they matter. It’s a good thing.

bordeaux dinner at ernest’s

Meet James Sichel of the iconic Bordeaux house Famille Sichel at a winemaker dinner at Ernest’s. Four courses by the NAIT Culinary students paired with Sichel wines, 6pm, Tuesday October, 30. Tix, $95 all in, call 780-471-8676.

bordeaux dinner at ernest’s<

recipe of the week: potato latkes with pea pesto and roasted tomatoes

Those tomatoes you rescued before the September frost? The ones that have been ripening on your counter? Ideal for roasting. Serve with tasty potato pancakes: https://thetomato.ca/tomatoquarantwo/recipes/one-potato-two

potato latkes