Judy Schultz remembers Jean Paré
The inimitable Jean Paré.
Jean Paré, who celebrated her 95th birthday on December 7, was the woman behind the most user-friendly cookbooks any of us have ever owned. In the end, 30 million copies have her name on them. As her official biographer (Jean Paré: An Appetite for Life) it was my privilege and pleasure to get to know the woman behind the publishing empire.
It took a while, as Jean was the definitive private person. Throughout her long and amazing career, there were good times and bad, plenty of each to go around, but the ones she talked about celebrated the people she loved. Friends. Family. Company’s coming? The whole darned world could come for dinner, she’d feed them. Whenever there was something to celebrate, she cooked.
She started small, as Jean Lovig—Vermilion, Alberta’s go-to caterer. But with her first book celebrating 150 squares (scrumptious mouthfuls my aunts referred to as ‘dainties’) she conquered the nation.
Her cookbooks were written with friends in mind and Jean was everybody’s friend. Women who juggled careers and families had less time to cook, but Jean’s down-to-earth recipes were their safe place. We loved her accessibility, her stress-free, fuss-free attitude to feeding people, her ability to produce a meal using whatever was in the fridge, freezer, cupboard. She brought respect back to canned soup and casseroles, and she understood the power of a great cookie. Jean became a world traveller.
I’m writing this from New Zealand, another of Jean’s favourite spots, and I plan to celebrate her life on New Year’s Eve by baking one of her favourite things: a pavlova. A simple meringue, whipped cream, strawberries. A few slices of ripe kiwi. I think she’d have enjoyed it. Jean Paré died December 24, 2022.
Bartender Extraordinaire James Grant leaving YEG.
Ramon Miranda (L) and James Grant before his Build Your Own Bad-ass Home Bar class at Color de Vino.
James Grant, cocktail impresario and the 2021 World Class Global Bartender of the Year, is the new director of mixology at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. The idea is to elevate the Royal York’s bars into contention for the world’s bests lists (such as Barcelona’s Paradiso or London’s The Connaught). We will miss his extraordinary knowledge and the best-kind-of-silly banter he is known for, plus his amazing ability to spin cocktail gold. Congrats and bon voyage James!
Don’t miss Wing Wednesday, a Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels has been delivering meals-in-home for 54 years. Long may this essential service continue, and you can help. Buy a ticket for Wing Wednesday hosted by Jennifer Crosby and Rob Christie. It’s happening in the Stantec Tower, Wednesday April 5, from 4-7pm. Tix, $45, at mealsonwheelsedmonton.org. Cash bar, biz casual dress and the chance to enjoy some hot wings? Sounds like a great time.
A new Butcher Shop in Town and it’s Great
Co-owner Sam Gundy in the Erin Ridge Ribeye Butcher Shop
Check out the new Ribeye Butcher Shops (935 St. Albert Trail and Manning Town Centre). Super bright and spacious, with on-site butchers ready to carve a steak to your liking. The offerings are extensive—dry-aged beef, Japanese and Canadian Wagyu, pork, game, lamb, sausages and burgers, along with charcuterie, prepared foods, seasonal items and deli. And, you can pick up Bonjour Bakery bread at the St. Albert location! Wow. Enjoy a large cup of their savoury house-made bone broth and a deliciously grilled smash burger and fries. Licenced too, so you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine with your burger. The shop in Erin Ridge opened just before the holidays and Manning Centre opened February 10. Open 10am-7pm daily and check out the curated box program available online. Planned: Terra Losa and Windermere locations.
Revamped, Revised, Rewarded; the new Confederation Lounge
The luxe new vibe at Confederation Lounge.
How long have we been waiting for this reveal? The renovated Confederation Lounge is here and it’s gorgeous. “Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has been dedicated to connecting our local community and hotel guests to extraordinary settings in the heart of Edmonton for over a hundred years. The renovated Confederation Lounge will continue to celebrate our history while embracing its new era of dining,” says the Mac’s general manager, Garrett Turta. Exec chef Jiju Paul and exec restaurant chef Brett Van Allen have worked closely with local purveyors to create a sustainable and regional menu. Think oysters or a scotch egg, bao bun or a Mac burger with a Reposado Negroni or a peek at the rare Dalmore collection. Check it out!