Northern Chicken Offers Vaccine Discount
Several local businesses have stepped up to create incentives to encourage Edmontonians to get the COVID-19 jab. This includes 10% off at Glass Bookshop for a “celebratory vaccine order”, and Fleisch, which is accepting vaccine selfies as entries for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
On May 7, Northern Chicken jumped into the fray, offering 5% off meals with proof, valid on the day of the vaccination. Co-owner Andrew Cowan credits his partner Matt Phillips with the idea. “It’s a small incentive to get people to get vaccinated,” said Cowan. “We talked about it, and it fits with who we are and what we do.”
Northern Chicken was an early adopter of voluntarily shifting to a take-out and delivery only model in November, prior to provincial restrictions limiting in-person dining introduced in early December. Even when indoor dining restrictions lifted in February, Northern Chicken chose to remain closed to in-person dining, citing a need to minimize risk to their staff.
Since introducing the incentive, over 30 people have claimed the discount. Cowan isn’t sure how long the promotion will be offered, but is optimistic that greater vaccination rates will help move things forward. He shared that nearly half his staff have already been vaccinated. “The quicker we can get people vaccinated, restaurants and businesses can get back to normal,” said Cowan.
Although they are doing a reasonable amount of take-out and delivery orders, Cowan is looking forward to the day when it is safe to welcome diners back again. “We’re itching to get people back into the restaurant,” said Cowan, without committing to a timeline or a trigger for when he would feel comfortable with in-person dining again. “It’s social with staff but it’s nice to have new people come in, having friends and family come by,” said Cowan. “I miss it.”
COVID-19-related News
- Alberta restaurants had to close patio dining, effective May 9 at 11:59pm. These restrictions will be in place for at least three weeks. Many restaurant owners are frustrated with the restrictions and the investments they have made in their patios.
- The NDP is calling for additional supports for restaurants in light of the new restrictions, including reimbursement for patio investments.
- Last week, Alberta Health Services physically closed the Whistle Stop Cafe in Mirror for their inability to comply with indoor dining restrictions.
Upcoming Events
- Root 107, a pop-up park with seating at 107 Street and Jasper Avenue, has extended its run. They are continuing to host food trucks daily; check the schedule here. Even though outdoor gathering restrictions are now limited to 5 people between two households, the event can continue.
Local News
- The 124 Grand Market kicks off its season on May 13, 2021. Their Sunday market returns on June 6, 2021.
- Speaking of the 124 Grand Market, The Nook will be vending their baked goods and iced beverages on Thursday evenings.
- Linda wrote a sponsored post about 10 must-visit vendors at the Callingwood Farmers’ Market.
- Edmonton AM interviewed the creators of Groove by Fleisch, and how their creative soft serve came to be.
- An EDify writer braved the lines at Pablo Cheese Tart to sample its products.
- Also from EDify, pieces on how the rise of High Dough and pasta start-up bell’uovo.
- Chef Shane Chartrand has joined the leadership team at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse as executive chef, helping with programs to feed the community and educating youth about healthy eating.
- A new podcast called the Field Guide to Eating in Canada features an interview with Chef Shane Chartrand.
- Congratulations to Paraiso Tropical on their 30th anniversary.
- The St. Viateur Bagel fundraiser is only 60+ dozen away from their goal of 1,440 bagels. The deadline to order is May 17, 2021.
- The Globe featured Prairie cheesemakers, including those from Lakeside Farmstead in Alberta.
- The Safeway in Jasper Gates and Sobeys in Lewis Estates will close for renovations in the fall and reopen as FreshCo locations in spring 2022.
- The Edmonton Food Council is recruiting new members. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2021.
- Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE) and The Leftovers are partnering to transfer OFRE’s backyard fruit rescue program. The transition will enable growers with excess fruit to sign up for free support online.
- Edmonton charity Food for Thought, which serves meals for students in 15 schools, served its millionth meal this school year.
What I Ate
- Tau Bay is offering $5 delivery within a 5km radius during their regular business hours. Of course we had to try it out, with Friday’s drizzly conditions making it the perfect day for soup. It tasted just like I remembered.
Our usual orders from Tau Bay
- The new feature Butter Chicken-zas from Love Pizza sounded so delicious, we had to try both versions! The shahi chicken and paneer were super tasty, and highly recommended. We were also able to redeem the gift card we received some months back from the ATB Financial and Linda’s #AdoptAShopYEG initiative, so it felt like a treat! The feature pizza is only available until the end of May.
Butter chicken pizzas from Love Pizza
Only Here for the Food 