I can’t believe we’re already on our third Eat Alberta! The hands-on food conference, an opportunity for consumers to learn about how to grow, forage and prepare food from some of Alberta’s most knowledgeable food personalities, will be taking place again this April.
What: Eat Alberta 2013
When: Saturday, April 20, 2013
Time: 8:30am-5:30pm
Where: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, 11762 106 Street
We are thrilled to be returning to the kitchens of NAIT, which turned out to be a brilliant venue for the event last year.
Owen Petersen and his Sourdough 101 class
Our keynote speaker this year is Jeff Senger of Sangudo Custom Meat Packers. Jeff will be sharing his story of transition from an urban to a rural lifestyle, one that pulled him from his desk-bound accounting job to a labour-intensive career as a butcher.
We are happy that some of our former instructors are back to share their wisdom with a new group of students this year, including:
- Sourdough 101, led by Owen Petersen of Prairie Mill
- Knife Skills, led by Kevin Kent of Knifewear
- Cheese Making, led by Chef Allan Roote of NAIT
- Artisan Sausage Making, led by Allan Suddaby of Elm Cafe
- Vinaigrettes: More Than Just Salad Dressings, led by Chef Elaine Wilson of Allium Foodworks
Kevin Kent of Knifewear
But of course, we are also welcoming many new presenters, who will be teaching some exciting sessions, including:
- Bacon Making, led by Chad Moss of Shovel & Fork
- Perogy Making, led by Chef David Omar of ZINC
- The Whole Chicken, led by Chef Nevin Fenske of Drift Food Truck
- Saskatoon Pie Making, led by Chef Tracy Zizek of Cafe de Ville
- PICKLES!, led by Joanna Alleyne of Mojojojo Pickles
- So You Want to be an Urban Farmer, led by Travis Kennedy of Lactuca Farm
Making gnocchi at Eat Alberta 2012
Undoubtedly, hands-on sessions are the most popular, and past feedback has indicated that we needed a better system of ensuring a fair distribution of these sessions. So this year, we have organized different “tracks” made up of four session each, the majority of which include two hands on sessions, one guided tasting and one presentation. We know that all of our presenters are passionate and engaging, so we are confident that no matter which track you choose, you will not only learn a lot, but will have a great time in the process!
We have also added an MC to help facilitate the day, none other than Jennifer Crosby of Global TV. Jennifer is a farm girl from Northern BC, and is a regular contributor to Taste Alberta. And in place of a plenary panel to end the day, we are introducing a series of two-minute “lightning talks” as a way to connect attendees with other food-related resources and organizations in the community. At the end of the day, although we have changed a few elements this year, we stayed true to our commitment to highlighting food skills and connecting consumers with local and regional products.
Tickets are $135 each, and include 2 plenary sessions, 4 concurrent sessions, breakfast, lunch and a wine down. Tickets for Eat Alberta will go on sale next week, but in the meantime, make sure you sign up for the mailing list on the website. We will be sending out a notice to let you know when the tickets go live!
I hope to see you out at Eat Alberta!
Only Here for the Food 
Very cool. Thank you for the info, Sharon!
If this is half as fun as last year it’s going to be a huge success! Robyn and I are really looking forward to it.
This sounds so awesome — I’m signed up for the newsletter! How quickly do tickets sell out? I’d like the share it with Edmonton Foodies Meetup and maybe have a few of them join me.
Hope you can make it out, Allan!
Glad to have you both on board, Phil!
Hi Anole, thanks for the comment – I’d recommend that those in the Foodies Meetup group also sign up. Tickets sell quickly, and if you want to have your choice of tracks, you’ll have to get a jump on it as soon as they’re released. Hope to see you there!