Tickets to Relish Food on Film Festival (November 13-16 ) on sale now! Featured on opening night: Make a Farm and American Meat followed by a lively panel discussion with four young farmers: Janelle Herbert, Riverbend Gardens; Vicky Horn, Tangle Ridge Ranch; Rhonda Headon, the Cheesiry; and Jenny Berkenbosch, Sundog Farm. We love their food; here’s the chance to hear about what being a farmer means today. http://relishfilmfest.org
The Royal Mayfair Golf and Country Club presents a four-course winemaker dinner with Paul Speck of Henry Of Pelham Family winery, on October 10. Tickets $50, call 780-433-9666
We have been waiting impatiently for Calgarys’ spice emporium Silk Road http://www.silkroadspices.ca to come to Edmonton, and their new location next to Knifewear at 10818 Whyte Avenue is just about ready to open its doors. The warm and spicy interior creates an inviting glow for passersby, and that’s empty. Imagine the glow when the shop is filled with a veritable Arabian Nights of aromas and sights. Love what Knifewear has started, a happening culinary scene on west Whyte. Bring it on!
Here’s a terrific tasting opportunity; The Grape Escape brought to you by Co-op Wine Spirits Beer, Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, from 5pm to 9pm at the Expo Centre, Edmonton Northlands. The Grape Escape is a fun and informative evening featuring wine, spirits and beer samples from producers from all over the world. Tickets are $50 each +GST, available at the Co-op MacTaggart Ridge (5962 Mullen Way), 780-432-2258, or online coopwinespiritsbeer.com.
Expect good things from chef Nathin Bye’s new Ampersand 27, in the Murrietta’s space on Whyte Avenue, opening later this fall. “There are 27 bones in the human hand; these are the tools that help to cultivate and cook the food that we eat,” says Nathin. I have always loved different fonts and type and symbols, so the name is an amalgamation of art, font, number.” And let’s not forget delicious food. Chef Bye, the 2012 Gold Medal Plates champ is working with several local farmers and purveyors for the menu. We’re looking forward to this truly culinary addition to the Whyte Avenue scene.
The popular Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival rolls into town Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Sample premium wines, spirits, import and micro-brewed beer as well as a mouthwatering array of dishes from several of Edmonton’s top eateries. The Festival features a Saturday afternoon session, providing even more opportunity to sip and sample. Indulge! Tickets at rockymountainwine.com.
Taste fine Speyside at the Glenfarclas Scotch Tasting with owner George Grant on Wednesday, November 5 at Fort Edmonton Park (7000 143 Street, fortedmontonpark.ca, 780-442-5311). Lineup includes 15, 17, 21, 25, 30 and 40 year single highland Malt Whisky. The tasting begins at 7pm, $50/person.
Lots of events to choose from at Dig In!, St. Albert’s Horticulinary Festival, October 10 and 11. Enjoy hands-on seminars on landscaping, gardening, mixology, jam-making, pickling and an interactive wine tasting October 11 with the Tomato’s certified sommelier, Mary Bailey. The Blue Flame Kitchen will be there, and you have the opportunity to bake with Top Chef Canada’s Karine Moulin. Don’t miss the Alberta Ate Chef Collaborative dinner featuring chefs Blair Lebsack (RGE RD); Julia Kundera (The Glasshouse Bistro); Doreen Prei (Edmonton Petroleum Club); Danielle Job (Holt Renfrew Café); Brad Lazarenko and Steven Furgiuele (Culina). Book dinner tickets and your sessions at diginstalbert.ca.
About.spud.com spud is a new online grocery delivery service headed by Edmonton-born, Seattle-based Peter Van Stolk, the founder of Jones Soda. Spud joins locally owned Organic Box in offering organic, local and specialty groceries to Edmonton area households.