canadian culinary champions!
Ten chefs from across the country converge on Ottawa on the last weekend of January for the Canadian Culinary Championships (CCC). After several events to test their mettle, three chefs stood on the podium—Jason Sawision, Ottawa (Stofa Restaurant), Bronze; Jonathan Williams, Toronto (Park Hyatt Toronto), Silver, and Jay Park, Vancouver (Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar), took Gold. Learn more about CCC 2026 and our Edmonton contender, chef Tyson Wright in the March/April issue. Speaking of CCC champs, the 2025 Gold Medallist, Alex Kim, will be NAIT’s Chef in Residence in March.
Chefs Jason Sawison (Ottawa;) Jay Park with sous Jungun Yeung (Vancouver) and Jonathan Williams (Toronto). Congrats chefs!
it’s the weather for cooking
The wonderful women of the Savvy Beautiful Company (Jennifer Cockrall, Kim Larsen, and Mifi Purvis) have just published an adorably retro mini-cookbook for the season called Worth the Weather: A 1970s Snack-Sized Winter Cookbook. It’s filled with the delish nostalgic foods of their childhoods, cleverly updated, like 70’s Lentil Mixtape, or Smarmy Parmy Bean Dip. Super cute and the recipes are rad! Find it here.
get ready to eat many burgers in february
The Burger it Forward promotion helps beef producers and food banks across the country, and several YEG spots are all in. Three Vikings Pub offers their savoury Mushroom Swiss burger—Alberta beef patty, caramelized onion, mushroom Swiss sauce, crispy onion, leaf lettuce, roasted garlic aioli on a toasted brioche bun. The bonus? One dollar from each burger sold goes to Edmonton’s Food Bank. We know about the delish burgers at Three Vikings, Woodwork and Backstairs Burger—check out the full list of participants here. Until February 28.
color de vino varietal series kicks off with chard and cab sauv
Explore the many faces of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon at Color de Vino’s first Varietal Series Tasting of 2026, 6pm, Wednesday, February 11. Tix: $49.40/p.
so many choices on the oob valentine’s menu
Valentine’s at Out of Bounds Restaurant—three courses, one night, February 14. Reservations from 5pm, $95/p+.
valentine’s with art of charcuterie
Diana Harrison and her busy crew of Valentine’s elves have put together a showstopper to celebrate the season. The new wooden window box holds delicious treasures—indulgent cheeses, Fuge Salami, charcuterie and accoutrements, along with the house made AoC honey butter, a Brio baguette and six Delavoye chocolate dragées. Wow! Order now for Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14 pick up or delivery, $149+/box.
valentine’s weekend at the marc
Enjoy this beautiful prix-fixe menu with several choices per course and resos from 5pm, $95/p. Get all the deets here.
heart of the home valentine’s gift guide
Would your heart rather cook than go to dinner? Heart of the Home has you covered with their Valentine’s Gift Guide. The cherry on top? Free gift-wrapping February 7-14. Shop in store for the best selection (12539 102 Avenue). Keep in mind too, it’s 25 per cent off barware right now; get ready to shake up some Galentine’s cocktails.
brown’s tonkamallow heart is a treat
The lovely Camrose-based company, Brown’s Curiosities & Chocolate Oddities has some tasty things for Valentine’s, including this palm-sized Tonkamallow Heart—luscious, small-batch tonka bean-infused marshmallow with a soft sea salt caramel in a milk chocolate shell. Find at the Bountiful Farmers’ Market (3696 97 Street) and Relish Market (9570 76 Avenue).
the year of the horse at rosewood
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Rosewood Foods (10150 100 street) 6th annual Lunar New Year Dinner, Sunday, February 15, with seatings from 5pm. Net proceeds to the Edmonton Chinatown Senior Care Centre. Tix: $88/p.
pranzo #7 is sunday, february 15
Culina Famiglia’s Pranzo Number 7 features sausages and charcuterie from San Martin and El Chorizo Latino, 2pm, Sunday, February 15. Tix: 451.45/p (with reduced prices for the kids).
la tour d’italia with joe gurba
Join wine raconteur Joe Gurba (Vino al Vino) for a vinous exploration of Italy, 6pm, Thursday, February 19 at the Sherbrooke Tasting Room. Tix: $65.23/p+.
recipe of the week: awn kitchen’s slow cooked green lentils
Nothing like a big pot of lentils to fix you up. Eating them is good luck too!
