Chef Celebrates his Indigenous Roots in New Cookbook
Chef Shane Chartrand, fresh off an appearance on Iron Chef Canada, has just released his first cookbook (co-written with Jennifer Cockrall-King).
tawâw, Cree for “welcome, there is room”, features seventy-five recipes and chronicles his journey from childhood to award-winning chef at SC Restaurant at the River Cree Resort and Casino.
Containing “personal stories, interviews with Chartrand’s culinary influences and family members, and contemporary and archival photographs of his journey, tawâw is part cookbook, part exploration of ingredients and techniques, and part chef’s personal journal.”
The book is available now, and will also be highlighted at an event at LitFest on October 19, 2019 at the Royal Alberta Museum.
Openings
- The folks behind Die Pie have opened up their second venture, a vegan cafe serving up breakfast and lunch called Pêche Café. It is located at 101, 10255 97 Street.
- Alchemy, the new bar located in the JW Marriott (10360 102 Street), opens to the public on October 3, 2019.
- Another Filipino-based chain is now open in Edmonton at West Edmonton Mall: Potato Corner specializes in all sorts of fries. It’s the first Canadian location.
- Ice District will be adding two new establishments to open in winter 2021: a flagship location of The Canadian Brewhouse, called The CANADIAN ICEhouse, which will feature Edmonton’s largest rooftop patio, and The Banquet, a restaurant that also hosts bowling lanes, shuffleboard, and ping pong tables.
- Dirtbelly, a Calgary-based salad chain, will be opening its first Edmonton location at Southgate Centre.
Closures
- They were “temporarily closed” for some time, but Sweet Jesus couldn’t make it work in the Edmonton market. Both Southgate Centre and West Edmonton Mall locations closed before their one year anniversaries.
Upcoming Events
- The next Classic Series dinner hosted at the Hotel Macdonald takes place on October 3, 2019 with a “Mandarin” theme. Tickets for the 5-course dinner are $75.
- The Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival rolls into town again November 8-9, 2019.
Reviews
- The Journal published a positive review for Woodshed Burgers.
- Crystal shared her experience at iPho and Grill.
- Avenue stopped by two “old school” eateries – the renovated Teddy’s, and Coliseum Pizza and Steak.
Local News
- Congratulations to Ply of Rogue Wave Coffee who was named the 2019 Aeropress Canadian Champion last week. He will be representing Canada at the World Aeropress Championships in London later this year.
- It sounded like the chefs behind the recent Edmonton stop of the Prairie Grid Dinner Series made the most of a small and non-ideal ad hoc kitchen.
- Linda shared a sponsored post about the fall menu offerings at The Rec Room.
- Learn about the inspiration for the collaborative Filipino multi-course dinner that took place earlier this month; the organizers say the Bayanihan Dinner Series may return as early as October!
- The latest Fast Food webisode features Wishbone Chef Lasha Gust’s recipe for perogies.
- Just in time for fall – The Marc has shared their recipe for pumpkin soup.
Beyond Edmonton
- Calgary’s City Palate is shutting down after 26 years.
- A contentious new study seems to reverse guidelines and advice that limiting red and processed meat may not be scientifically supported.
What I Ate
- Mack, Emily, and I finally made it to Blue Plate Diner’s new location just off 124 Street. Walking in, we were amazed how they managed to replicate the relaxed, low-key vibe in a new space. Service was great, and Emily gobbled up most of my gnocchi (and wanted more!).
Green pea pesto gnocchi with chicken at Blue Plate Diner
- Mack and I had brunch at Cafe Bicyclette over the weekend to celebrate our five year wedding anniversary. Service was indifferent at best, but thankfully the food more than made up for the front of house staff. We enjoyed both dishes – the brunch poutine was as indulgent as we had hoped for, and the eggs benedict (served over a croissant) was well-made.
Brunch poutine and eggs benedict at Cafe Bicyclette
Only Here for the Food 