The Dish: What’s new in September and October: Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, Nude Food, Banff Brunch Sparkle, plus chef Corbin Tomaszeski.
rock the wine, beer and spirits at the rocky mountain experience
Eat, drink and celebrate at the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival with local and international wines, beers and spirits to sample. The food gets better every year. Enjoy FanFan’s incredible pastry and savoury dishes from ‘Ono Poke, Dorinku Tokyo Street Food, Pampa Brazilian Steak House and Chop. Other highlights are Matt Widmer and Keith Robinson, the founders of Canmore’s Wild Life Distillery. For those possessing the VIP package, be sure to visit the Giusti Bubbly and Chocolate Bar.
The hours are Friday, October 19, 5pm-10pm, Saturday, October 20, 12pm-4pm, Saturday, October 20, 6pm-10pm.
Early bird tix available until September 7, edmontonrockymountainwine.tix123.com
nude food
If you loved Chrysta Morkeberg’s baking at the farmers’ market, you’ll be thrilled to know you can indulge almost every day of the week. Food In The Nūd (9628 76 Avenue, 780-233-3230, foodinthenud.ca), the whole food (paleo, vegan, gluten-free) bakery, now has a rustic-chic location in the Ritchie neighbourhood, right next to the Blue Chair. Chrysta turned a health challenge into a thriving business, starting at the market. Now her baked goods are available both at the storefront in Ritchie and at other like-minded businesses. We had the chocolate banana muffin with crispy coconut flakes and creamy chocolate frosting at CRUM Coffee Bar on Calgary Trail.
culina in a new ‘hood
We have been watching the Oliver Exchange Building at 12019 102 Avenue and now we know that Iconoclast Coffee Roasters, Odd Company Brewing, Brio Bakery, Plum Home + Design and Culina To Go will be there, opening sometime in late fall (Plum is already open). At this location of Culina you will be able to pick up fresh takeaway meals, their delish TV dinners and catering orders, seven days a week. Can’t wait.
make your banff brunch sparkle
The new Vermillion room in the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort has a lovely surprise on weekends. With the extravagant brunch buffet featuring bespoke omelettes, crab legs, blueberry waffles and donuts, have a glass of Moet for $16. Visit vermillionroom.com/weekend-brunch to book.
in good company
You may know chef Corbin Tomaszeski from Dinner Party Wars, Restaurant Makeover or Restaurant Takeover. But did you know that he started right here? He grew up on a farm outside of Edmonton and, like many good cooks, spent a lot of time at his grandmother’s. Corbin’s early life experiences of watching his mother and baba create delicious food out of what they grew themselves (and the time he spent peeling a lot of potatoes) informs his philosophy and his cooking style. He has become one of our favourite chefs due to his easy-going approach to food and cooking. In his first cookbook, In Good Company, Corbin has featured several family favourites and yes, it includes recipes for his baba’s pierogi and her borscht. Can’t beat that. Corbin’s sweet potato recipe is on page 27.
In Good Company; Easy Recipes for Everyday Gatherings by Corbin Tomaszeski with Karen Geier, $34.95.