The View from the River: Paddling the North Saskatchewan with Edmonton Canoe

Last year, my coworker’s husband worked for Edmonton Canoe over the summer, and it was from her that I first learned about an all-inclusive way to paddle down the North Saskatchewan from Devon and into the city. Mack and I have wanted to see the city from the river’s perspective for some time, and finally made plans to do so last weekend.

Edmonton Canoe is one of two local companies that provides bus transportation from Edmonton to Devon and at the boat launch, sets you up with a canoe or kayak. For the two of us, we paid $100 total.

We met the staff and the rest of the group we would be departing with at Emily Murphy Park. Full disclosure, we arrived a few minutes late, and thus missed the complete introduction from the staff member. Still, from what we gathered, it was fairly brief; she was pointing out the route on a two-sided map we would be given to guide us on our journey, along with a whistle we were told to use in case of emergency. They estimated the trip would take approximately 7-8 hours.

Before getting on the bus to Devon, we were “checked off” a list (I had pre-paid for the trip by phone), though we found it odd that they didn’t confirm our cell phone number or even note down the number of the canoe we were assigned. When we docked, we weren’t asked for our names; I’m not sure how they would have known who to look for in the event all parties weren’t accounted for by the end of the night. In some ways, this was emblematic of our experience – Edmonton Canoe seemed uninterested in anything beyond the basic provision of transportation and a canoe rental, even though there were many opportunities for them to make service less of an afterthought.

Although a map of our river course was provided to us on the bus, it was clear the document was more than ten years old. It definitely could have been more detailed, as some of the pedestrian bridges we passed under were not noted, and given the bus ride was 30 minutes in duration, there would have been enough time for either a verbal overview or to look over information about the landmarks we could watch for.

Paddles ready

At the Devon boat launch, we had time to visit restrooms before we were fitted with lifejackets and pushed off in our vessel for the day. There were a few parties ahead of us, and a large group behind us, and though we all likely set off within about 20 minutes of each other, we eventually lost sight of everyone else.

On the river

When we started our trip, the weather was more than cooperative. Sunny, clear and without much of a breeze, spending the day floating downstream seemed like it would be a pleasant experience.

Our layered valley

I had been most looking forward to getting into Edmonton, in order to observe our bridges from the water, but I actually found the Devon portion most peaceful and relaxing. Mack and I were both amazed at how shallow and clear the river was in places – only a few inches deep – and understood why some have encouraged more Edmontonians to utilize the river as a place to swim. We did observe a few small groups floating on dinghies, but most of the people by the water’s edge were dog owners, along Terwillegar and Laurier Parks.

Dogs enjoying the water

The highlight of the canoe trip was when we spotted a family of deer along the shore, just before the Anthony Henday Bridge. We’ve seen roadside wildlife before, but never riverside wildlife!

Deer!

We ended up shoring up there to stop for lunch (which we had brought with us). Although the staff had pointed out a place called Big Island on the map, without any actual signage on the water, it was clear we had overshot it by that point. Mack commented that it would have been nice if some of the Edmonton Canoe staff had been waiting for us at Big Island to flag us down so we could have lunch as a group.

Mack at our lunch break

Riverside flowers

In the city, we made some discoveries, including Hawrelak Park/Buena Vista Park Pedestrian Bridge that we didn’t know existed.

Fort Edmonton Park Footbridge

We also had a great vantage point of the End of the World attraction in Belgravia. I’m not sure if it is normally that busy on a Saturday afternoon, or if the traffic was related to the recent media attention because of a survey the City is conducting on how to make changes to improve the safety of the site.

The End of the World

That second half of the trip was also memorable for reasons not as positive. By then, the headwinds had picked up, and in three separate instances, were so strong we couldn’t manage paddling against the wind and ended up turned the wrong way. Thankfully Mack has more canoeing experience, but it was a challenge to finish that last leg.

In some ways, the winds were a reason why the nonchalant greeting of the Edmonton Canoe staff we met at Emily Murphy Park was so bewildering. Given it seemed that most folks who would choose a service like this are novices, I figured there would be some concern on their part about our wind-swept journey. But as mentioned before, they didn’t even bother to check us off a list, so it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise.

We survived!

Canoeheads is the other company offering transportation/rentals, and the trip would be slightly shorter, at Laurier Park. Edmonton Canoe does offer a shorter trip of its own, from Emily Murphy to Capilano Park, which Mack and I will consider on a day with no forecasted wind!

As a whole, while we’re glad we finally experienced the view of our city from the North Saskatchewan, and appreciate the convenience provided by Edmonton Canoe, we felt like it was a bit of a missed opportunity to provide a bit more awareness about our river valley and its history, sights and landmarks.

Recap: What the Truck?! in the Outfield

Our penultimate What the Truck?! of the season had us storming the outfield for the very first time on August 22, 2015.

We’d been considering Telus Field as a possible event location for a few years. It fits in with our desire to highlight underutilized spaces, and is situated in a beautiful part of the city that more people should explore. It’s also centrally located, public transit accessible and (perhaps the primary reason why the feedback was positively off the charts) there is loads of free parking.

One of the other reasons we embraced Telus Field was its enclosed nature, perfect for families with small children. It was heartening to see kids let loose on the pristine, manicured grass in and amongst a field dotted with picnic blankets.

Some also took advantage of the opportunity to play catch right on the ball diamond. Checking out the perspective from the mound is definitely not something you can do every day!

The twelve trucks that joined us that afternoon offered the most diverse line-up of food we’ve had at a single event. Cuisine choices included Filipino, Indian, Jamaican, Mauritian and Mexican food.

Although the event wasn’t as busy as we would have hoped, it meant short lines for those who did come out. Mack and I finally managed to try a grilled cheese sandwich from Cheddaheads, who has driven up from Red Deer twice this year for What the Truck?!

We also had a fantastic new DJ join the ranks of our What the Truck?! crew – DJ Elekin kept it light, and by request, even spun “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch.

Thanks to our in-kind sponsor, the Downtown Edmonton Community League, our fabulous volunteers, and the Telus Field liaison for helping to make the event happen.

Our last event of the season takes place next week, returning to the place where we kicked things off back in May:

What: What the Truck?!
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Square
When: Friday, September 11, 2015
Time: 4-8pm

RSVP on Facebook!

This will be our biggest event by far, with a record 35 trucks joining us that day. We’ll be posting menus to whet your appetite on September 4. Hope to see you there!

Food Notes for August 31, 2015

Although fall isn’t officially ushered in for a few weeks, with the close of August, autumn feels inevitable. Hope you’re making the most of our last long weekend of the summer! On to this week’s food notes:

Chef Tony Krause (formerly of The Salt Room, at the now defunct Mother’s Market), is hosting a pop-up dinner at Privada on September 7, 2015. Tickets are $60.
The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is hosting a five-course dinner at Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm to be prepared by Chef Blair Lebsack of RGE RD on September 13, 2015. The funds raised go towards securing and stewarding land in the Edmonton region. Tickets are $250 per person (a tax receipt for $120 will be issued).
The big news this week is that Tavern 1903 will be empty no more: Chef Spencer Thompson of Toast Fine Catering (based at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market) is taking over the space to open in October under a new name.
Ramen lovers, rejoice: Kazoku (16518 100 Avenue) is coming soon.
Vue Weekly published a positive review of reLISH Gourmet Burgers, which has joined the growing ranks of 124 Street restaurants.
Liv is the latest to visit Rogue Wave Coffee, the newest of Edmonton’s third wave coffee shops.
El Cortez celebrated its first birthday, but feels like it is just coming into its own.
Where Edmonton has a round-up of 20 local eateries that are over 20 years old. Some surprises for me: Red Ox Inn and Doan’s.
While I’m skeptical that Rogers Place will have truly “distinctive tastes of Edmonton” or “local food” with Aramark at the helm, there is some room for optimism. While volume will certainly be a concern, perhaps Rogers can go the route of MacEwan, which has incorporated great establishments like S’wich, Lan’s Asian Grill, Get Cooking and Filistix in and amongst its Aramark-run brands.
This really is the year of #yegfood crowdfunding projects. Prairie Noodle Shop joins the list, requesting funding to help them.
Fruits of Sherbrooke has their own Kickstarter campaign called Project Fruit Stars. They hope to raise $17,000 to put towards upgrading their operation to produce 50,000 dehydrated apple snacks for the E4C School Nutrition Program this December.
Cindy’s feature on farmers’ market vendors continues with a profile on Frosty Fox Ice Cream, who sells at the City Market.
How might you feel after waiting on the super-rich at a high-end restaurant, day in and day out? This might capture it.
I used to love the novel chip flavours that rotated through every season, but it barely registers with me now. Have you tried the temporary Lays series?
Mack and I finally stepped into Sante (10184 104 Street) this week, and found out that they sell Phil & Sebastian beans (dangerous for us). While we haven’t tried any of their food yet, here’s their menu.

Sante

I made a beeline for Pho Tau Bay on Tuesday, their first day open after their usual summer hiatus. I didn’t realize how much I missed their pho until the steaming bowl of noodles was placed in front of me.

My usual at Pho Tau Bay

I met up with a friend at Dovetail on Thursday night for a light supper before a stroll through the 124 Grand Market. Their corned beef was delicious!

Corned beef sandwich and samosas from Dovetail

After a day of canoeing down the North Saskatchewan, Mack and I were in no shape to cook on Saturday. Thankfully, Blue Plate Diner is stumbling distance away from our condo, and their shephard’s pie more than hit the spot.

Shephard’s pie and sweet potato fries from Blue Plate Diner

Recap: Dinner at the Northlands Urban Farm for Alberta Open Farm Days

Although most of the events associated with Alberta Open Farm Days last weekend took place outside of Edmonton, there were still several opportunities to engage with agriculture within the city. Cindy recapped her visit to Horse Hill Berry Farm and Reclaim Urban Farm, while Mack and I were fortunate enough to be invited as guests to attend a dinner at the site of the Northlands Urban Farm.

Northlands Urban Farm

Lactuca, a local food producer, began as a backyard project, supplying restaurants and consumers at the 124 Grand Market. In 2014, in partnership with Northlands, Lactuca expanded their operations to a one acre site at 112 Avenue and 79 Street (about a 15 minute walk from the Stadium LRT station). This year, in conjunction with Alberta Open Farm Days, Northlands hosted a series of events to introduce the public to the urban farm, including tours, honey harvest demonstrations and cheese making workshops. The day concluded with the farm-to-table dinner.

Beautiful setting

It was a beautiful evening for an al fresco supper, and thankfully, given the dinner would have us traipsing through the gardens, it had been blessedly dry that weekend. Five food stations had been set up around the perimeter of the farm, and guests were invited to visit each on our own time to sample a total of eight dishes.

At the farm

Short of a brief welcome and introduction of the chefs involved, nothing more formal took place. I recognize that the staff had just led several farm tours earlier that day, but I assume a majority of those attending the dinner hadn’t been a part of them. Because of this, I thought it was a missed opportunity for Northlands to provide more information about their relationship with Lactuca, Northlands’ philosophy on local food, or, in the context of the meal we were about to enjoy, highlights of the Alberta products they had utilized.

On-site hives

This last point was particularly glaring when we visited the stations. It became painfully obvious that while some thought had been put into creating the diverse menu, many of the frontline staff serving the food and drink didn’t have the same awareness of the focus on local. They couldn’t answer questions about the products used, and weren’t confident on where they had been sourced. I’m optimistic that because this shift has been fairly recent (for example, the Northlands food truck, 1879, has committed to using 75% local ingredients, just hit the streets in July), staff engagement can only improve from here.

It is difficult to manage food quality in those makeshift outdoor kitchens, so as expected, some dishes were better than others. Our runaway favourite was the seared pickerel, with roasted cauliflower and broccoli, honey glazed carrots, crispy onions, bee pollen and corn shoots. The fish had been perfectly prepared, and the accompanying vegetables minimally cooked to emphasize their fresh quality.

Seared pickerel

Similarly, the DIY salad featured the breadth of our harvest bounty, including, of course, Lactuca’s own greens and vegetables.

DIY salad platter

The hay-smoked chicken had promise, but was just too salty. The same could be said of the braised bacon, especially when coupled with a gouda crisp.

Hay smoked chicken

The marinated flank steak was more successful, served with salsa verde. But Mack remarked that the corn should have been left alone; its natural sweetness really didn’t need to be masked by mayo.

Braised bacon and marinated flank steak

I did enjoy the duo of desserts. The first was a smoked almond ice cream topped with grilled peaches, lavender and a lemon cake cookie.

Smoked almond ice cream with grilled peaches

The second was a mixed berry tart with maple sauce and Chantilly cream. I could have easily had another; it was summer in two bites.

Mixed berry tart

I can appreciate that this was the first such dinner organized by Northlands, and if they decide to host it again next year, improvements could be made. The increase in urban agriculture projects should be celebrated with events like these so that more Edmontonians can learn about the potential we have to supply food within city limits. Northlands has the unique opportunity to make farm-to-table suppers a more frequent, accessible experience. I look forward to what they may have in store for us next year.

Thanks again to Northlands for inviting us to be a part of their inaugural farm dinner.

Check out Linda’s recap of the evening here.

Culinary Q & A with Karen Unland

After recording a podcast on Seen and Heard in Edmonton with Karen, I thought I’d turn the tables on her and ask her to share some of her favourite food and restaurants in the city.

Occupation:

Entrepreneur (or at least trying), instructor, consultant

What did you eat today?

Breakfast: Chocolate croissant and plums

Lunch: Leftover Oodle Noodle (mostly pad thai)

Supper: Steak with mushrooms and shrimp, steamed potatoes from our garden, Caesar salad with lettuce from our garden

Snack: Gelato

What do you never eat?

I’m kind of proud of always eating what’s put in front of me. I don’t have any allergies or sensitivities, so I have that luxury. There are foods I’m more likely to choose than others at, say, a buffet, but I can’t think of anything that I wouldn’t at least try. (I did have a bad experience with pickled herring once that might lead me to shy away in the future.)

What is your personal specialty?

I really don’t cook much, but this year I learned how to make chicken noodle soup from scratch. After we have roast chicken (which my husband cooks), I take the carcass and make soup, then freeze it for future meals.

Complete this sentence: In my refrigerator, you will always find:

Two kinds of milk (full-fat for our son, skim for the rest of us)

What is your weekday meal standby?

If I’m cooking, I’ll usually make eggs, unless there are leftovers. Like I said, I’m not much of a chef.

What is your favorite kitchen item?

The appliance I use most in our kitchen is the tea-maker, which is kind of like a drip coffee-maker, but for tea. I was skeptical of it when my husband bought it, but it turns out to be very handy, and it makes it easy to use loose-leaf tea.

World ends tomorrow. Describe your last meal.

Ah, it’s hard to think of food when the world is ending! I’d want to eat at home, and my favourite meal there is salmon cooked on the barbecue with a mustard sauce; steamed asparagus; fresh bread; saskatoon pie for dessert.

Where do you eat out most frequently?

For fast(ish) food, we probably go to Oodle Noodle or Edo Japan most often as a family. When I’m downtown, I’ll usually eat at Chopped Leaf or Remedy. For finer dining, my husband and I like Tasty Tomato, and my best friend and I often end up at Manor Cafe.

Where’s the best place to eat in Edmonton?

I’m very fond of the Hardware Grill, but it’s been ages since I’ve been there, and the last few times I’ve tried it’s been booked. There are so many great places, though, and I pretty much like to eat anything I don’t have to cook.

If you weren’t limited by geography, where and what would you eat?

I love seafood. If it were possible, I’d eat sushi and shellfish all of the time.

Follow Karen on Twitter and check out her blog and podcasts on Seen and Heard in Edmonton.

A Tour of the El Mercado Tortilla Factory

Two weeks ago on an overcast Saturday, Mack and I headed to south Edmonton for a tour of El Mercado corn tortilla factory. You may already be quite familiar with their product, as it is used in several popular restaurants in the city, including Tres Carnales, Rostizado and Glass Monkey. El Mercado also produces a line of corn tortilla chips.

A spread at Tres Carnales

We’ve picked up their tortillas and chips in the past for home use, usually at Tienda Latina, though they are also available outside of Latin markets at about two dozen locations in the city, including Save-On Foods and the Italian Centre. Impressively, their distribution runs even further south to Red Deer and Calgary.

The opportunity to tour the factory, however, meant not only seeing the production in action, but also getting to taste fresh tortillas off the line, something neither of us have done before.

Masa ready to be loaded into the machine

El Mercado imported a tortilla machine from Mexico in 2010, and had to adapt it to meet local safety guidelines. But the mechanization of the process results in an incredibly efficient system – once staff have prepared the masa (dough made from corn flour and water), they feed it into the machine which flattens, cuts, bakes, then cools the tortillas, all in 8 minutes. El Mercado generally produces 12,000 tortillas a day, two to three times per week.

The roller

They employ uses three different roller sizes, creating 14 cm and 10 cm diameter tortillas, as well as the triangular shapes that are prepared into chips.

Tortillas feeding into the oven

Three levels of heat bake the tortillas

We had the opportunity to try a white corn tortilla still warm from the line, which Karla, our volunteer tour guide, demonstrated how to eat it Mexican-style. First, we sprinkled the surface with salt, then rolled it up in the palm of our hand. They were surprisingly pliable, and tasted almost like a flour tortilla.

Karla demonstrates the technique

The tour was a bit of a trial run for El Mercado; depending on the interest of the community, they are considering the possibility of selling freshly-made tortillas straight from their factory on a monthly basis. Let’s hope this happens so more people have the chance to try El Mercado’s products as they were meant to be enjoyed.

Ready to go!

We picked up a bag of their new flavoured tortilla chips (spicy, though sweet was also an option). Mack hasn’t stopped eating them since, finding the seasoning of onion, garlic, and chili powder extremely addictive. If you’re looking to purchase El Mercado’s products, check out this handy list.

Snacking on the spicy tortilla chips

Thanks to Karla for the invitation, and to El Mercdo for hosting us!

Check out Cindy’s post about the tour as well.

Food Notes for August 24, 2015

I was flattered when Karen asked me to be a part of a Seen and Heard in Edmonton podcast, her series that highlights local online content creators. We had a great conversation about some of the changes in the food blogging scene since I started nine years ago, among other things. Thanks again for having me, Karen! On to this week’s food notes:

The third SalvagED lunch at Earth’s General Store Downtown will pop-up on August 25, 2015 from 11am-2pm. The meal is put together using ingredients that would have been otherwise discarded.
Little Brick is planning an end-of-summer shindig on August 28, 2015, from 6-9pm, with food, drinks, games and music.
The annual Viva Italia Viva Edmonton event is planned for August 30, 2015, from 12-9pm in Giovanni Caboto Park (95 Street & 109 Avenue).
The next Staff Meal is taking place on the Senger Farm on August 30, 2015, featuring a supper inspired by Latin American fire cooking. Tickets are $95, and include a return bus trip to the farm.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also remind you all to save the date for the finale of our 2015 What the Truck?! season, taking place at Churchill Square on September 11, from 4-8pm. Expect 35 trucks.
The 4th annual Edmonton Beer Geeks Anonymous’ Real Ale Festival runs September 12, 2015. The $30 tickets will sell out fast, but if you want an idea of what to expect, check out Jason’s recap from last year.
BRU Coffee + Beer House, located at the Pearl (11965 Jasper Avenue) is now open, though for the time being, is only offering espresso-based drinks and pastries.
Sante, a café that offers healthful salads, sandwiches and drinks, is now open on 104 Street, in the space formerly occupied by Carbon (10184 104 Street).
The Journal reviewed Tapavino (11011 Jasper Avenue), a wine bar featuring small plates not unlike Niche, the restaurant it replaced.
Cathy is the latest to check out Huma Mexican Food on the south side.
Lots of love for Little Brick this week, courtesy of Andrea and Cathy.
We heard through the grapevine that Mother’s Market (which announced its temporary closure on July 18, 2015), is permanently closed. They’ve deleted their Facebook and Twitter accounts; no word on what is to happen to the space.
Congrats to Valerie and Cindy, whose blogs made the Williams Food Equipment list of “Top 25 Must Follow Canadian Food Bloggers”!
I had no idea maple syrup was controlled by a quota system in Quebec, not unlike the dairy quota closer to home. It sounds like there are proponents on both sides.
Before Dark Matters last week, Mack and I stopped by King Noodle House to quench our bun bo Hue craving. It worked.

Bun bo Hue from King Noodle House

The What the Truck?! crew met over charcuterie and flatbread at Ampersand 27 tonight. I returned to the Forest Floor, but Mack’s Salty Pig was a really tasty diversion.

Forest Floor flatbread

Recap: Dark Matters Nerdgasm

It’s been more than a year since Mack and I attended Dark Matters, a series of adult-only evenings at the Telus World of Science. Billed as an event where “science is served on the rocks & the adults come out to play,” Dark Matters provides a relaxed environment for learning and the opportunity to connect with an Edmonton attraction in a different way.

Thespian robot

The Dark Matters that we attended last July was centered around food, while the theme of Thursday’s event was “Nerdgasm”. Top-secret Nerd Nite Edmonton lectures were the feature of the evening.

What brought us out to this particular Dark Matters was actually the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit. We’d recently visited Jurassic Forest in Gibbons, and learned that similar animatronic dinosaurs were on display closer to home.

Mack with a juvenile t-rex

As one of our biggest complaints about Jurassic Forest was the distance between the viewing platform and the dinosaurs themselves, Dinosaurs Unearthed did deliver. The exhibition is, as expected, much more compact, with a combination of animatronic and fossil specimens on display.

Dinosaurs Unearthed

The figures also featured the most up-to-date renderings of dinosaurs, feathers and all. Though we have to say, after learning that a velociraptor was between the size of a turkey and Great Dane, that classic raptor/kitchen scene in Jurassic Park just wouldn’t be the same if based on current scientific knowledge.

I couldn’t help myself

While we enjoyed our visit with the dinosaurs, the highlight of Dark Matters did end up being the Nerd Nite lecture. Megan Evans, who plays the French horn for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, demystified the instrument for us. It was an enlightening and engaging 45 minutes, full of humour and fun facts. It was a great primer on what we could expect at a regular Nerd Nite event, which starts up again in September.

Megan Evans on the French horn

Mack and I both agreed that this Dark Matters seemed to involve more elements than the previous one we’d attended. They made the most of the space, including outside the facility, where staff were launching rockets.

Rocket launching isn’t just for kids

We ended our evening with a tour of TWOSE with long-time staff member (and now volunteer) Trevor Prentice. He is an enthusiastic ambassador of the centre, and introduced us to his favourite exhibit – an actual piece of the moon!

Trevor with the moon rock exhibit

We were granted a behind-the-scenes look at the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre (did you know that the laser shows are not pre-programmed and are controlled by the technician?). Trevor also showed us Sophie, the star projection machine used before the transition to a digital system.

Sophie

It was a great way to spend an evening reacquainting ourselves with the Telus World of Science. The next Dark Matters is taking place on October 15, 2015, with a rock & roll theme – it should be fun!

Recap: 2015 Grand Taste Tour with Wolf Willow Honey, Tofield Packers and Irvings Farm Fresh

On July 12, 2015, Mack and I were guests of the second annual Grand Taste Tour, a partnership between the 124 Grand Market and Taste Alberta.

The Grand Taste Tours began in 2014 and seek to showcase some of the great local producers we are fortunate to have in this province, and to enjoy some of their bounty as prepared by a talented local chef.

In our case, Mack and I joined Phil and Robyn on the "bee bus", meaning that we would be visiting an apiary to start. Our counterparts on the "dairy bus" headed to the Breevliet Dairy Farm first, after which both groups would meet up at the second and final stops.

We learned that the 2014 Grand Taste Tour was much different, as it was self-guided, and participants had to reach the participating farms on their own. Although some might appreciate the choice and freedom of a choose-your-own-adventure tour, we appreciated the fact that all logistics of transportation and food taken care of this time around.

It took the bus over an hour to reach our first stop, Wolf Willow Honey. Their products can be found on the shelves at Duchess Provisions, but for the most part, Wolf Willow prefers to sell their honey direct to consumers from the farm or at the Camrose Farmers’ Market.

Wolf Willow Honey

Doug Chalmers shared that Wolf Willow has 400 hives (with 50-80,000 bees making up each hive). He described the surrounding area as a “bee haven”, with more than 200 perennials available to their bees. That said, he does liken the collapse of bee colonies to the changing landscape after the second World War, linked to the decrease in food sources and the increase in pesticide use.

Doug Chalmers

Using burlap smoke to sedate the bees, the beekeeper was able to pull up a frame for us to see.

Beekeeper Ben

The bees were busy working away – did you know that a single bee makes just 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey over its lifetime?

Bees

We also had the chance to sample some of their honey products, which included light clover, dark clover, dandelion, creamed buckwheat and an end-of-season 100 flower blend. Mack and I would have appreciated more of a guided tasting, but then again, we’ve been spoiled with superb honey education sessions led by Patty Milligan.

Mack

It was then on to Tofield Packers, a small abattoir used by Irvings Farm Fresh, among other local producers.

Tofield Packers

They are committed to public education, often opening their doors to 4H Clubs, so it wasn’t the first time they’ve hosted external groups. Owner Dale Erickson was our no-nonsense guide, and though he was responsive to questions asked, a more thorough explanation of the process up front would have been ideal.

Dale Erickson on the kill floor

We did learn that they process pigs, cows, sheep, goat, bison, elk, ostrich and alpaca. While they have processed game in the past, they shy away from it because the animals are typically very dirty. On a good day, the plant can get through 7 animals.

Dale led us through the various coolers in the facility, including the wet room, where the animals are left to drain of blood and other fluids, and then the aging room, where sides are hung for anywhere from 14 to 21 days.

Coolers

Tofield Packers also purchases sides of animals to process into hams, sausages and other cuts of meat which they sell out of their retail shop.

An abattoir is something every meat eater should see, to appreciate the end of a life that has travelled from a farm to your table. Tofield Packers is a great example of a family-owned facility that works with small farmers to put forth good quality products.

Before heading to our final stop, our group congregated in the parking lot to enjoy a snack. Given it was a tour sponsored by Taste Alberta, the big box store granola bars and watermelon was unexpected and ill-fitting. Hopefully snacks better aligned with the tour can be arranged next year.

Mack and I were most looking forward to the visit to Irvings Farm Fresh. We’ve been buying pork from Alan and Nicola Irving from the City Market, Old Strathcona and Salisbury Farmers’ Markets for years, and had always meant to stop by the farm to see where their pigs are raised.

With Alan

We finally had that chance, and we weren’t disappointed. The farm occupies a total of 80 acres, and this year, for the first time, the Irvings are growing their own grain for feed. The barley was surprisingly green, but the grass in an adjacent field was incredibly brittle under our feet.

In the barley field

A few years ago, when Alan and Nicola were deciding on how to expand their operations, they had a choice to make – they couldn’t do it all on their own, and had to choose between outsourcing their breeding or their product line. They decided the latter was more important, and with a facility built to process all cuts on-site, they are able to guarantee their products are free from wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy and MSG.

As a result, their Berkshire pigs are brought to them at 2-3 months. Irvings raises them until they’re between 6-7 months, or approximately 250 pounds. Beyond that, and the ratio of fat to meat becomes unwieldy.

Pigs

The Irvings believe that pigs should live as naturally as possible, so provide their animals with an environment where they have the freedom to move, dig, root, sleep and eat. They self-regulate, and on that warm afternoon, most of them had sought shade to keep cool (pigs don’t sweat). That week, the farm had about 70 pigs.

In their element

Before lunch, we had the privilege of observing a butchery demonstration by Elyse Chatterton. We learned that the pigs are killed at Tofield Packers, then brought back as sides to the Irvings facility (she even pulled out the bullet from the skull of the pig!).

Elyse Chatterton

Trained in England, Elyse learned how to do everything by hand, eschewing the use of even a band saw for cuts through bone. As a retail butcher, Elyse loves the process of transforming a “beast” into attractive cuts of meats that catch a customer’s eye. She skillfully carved up several shoulder roasts (her favourite cut), and indicated that she could dispatch the entire side in one hour.

All by hand

Her sense of humour was evident throughout the demo; for instance, some have questioned whether she is able to do everything a male butcher can do. Her answer: she isn’t able to go into the men’s washroom.

Then it was time for lunch, picturesque communal tables set up beneath several trees, adjacent to a makeshift outdoor kitchen. Chef Daniel Costa (of Corso 32 and Bar Bricco fame) and his team certainly had to work in an untested environment, but in spite of this, managed to create a memorable meal that celebrated the flavours of summer.

Lunch

A plate of snappy, raw vegetables from Riverbend Gardens reminded us that sometimes, simple is best. It was followed by grilled Bonjour Bakery crostini topped by the most luxurious Fairwinds Farm goat ricotta and fresh spring pea and mint spread.

Pinzimonio (raw vegetables)

Goat ricotta

Spring pea and mint

We were spoiled with platters of porchetta and panzanella made with tomatoes and cucumber from Gull Valley Greenhouses.

Porchetta

Panzanella in action

My favourite dish was the spring onion, pea shoot and whey risotto. Given risotto is difficult to make under regular circumstances, it was an even bigger feat on this stage. The whey imbued a creaminess that had me going back for thirds.

Risotto

Grilled Irvings pork loin capped off the main course. The meat was overdone for my taste, but to be honest, I’d filled up on the preceding dishes.

Grilled pork loin

But we weren’t done yet – generous chunks of two year old Parmesan, drizzled with the 100 flower blend of Wolf Willow Honey, followed suit. The finale was a silky panna cotta with honey, grappa and berries.

Parmesan and honey

Panna cotta

I’m certain that had the menu been advertised alongside ticket sales, the Grand Taste Tour would have been sold out; a similar meal at Corso 32 would have easily cost the equivalent of the $90 ticket price. Next year, organizer Kirsta Franke has already secured the chefs from North 53 for the lunch portion; if the cost of the tour holds steady, the all-inclusive nature of the event and the high quality of the food should sell itself.

Kudos to the team behind the day

If the tour of Irvings Farm Fresh piqued your interest, you’re in luck – Alan and Nicola are participating in Open Farm Days on August 23, 2015, from 11am-4pm. Visit with the pigs, tour the meat shop, and enjoy a “simply porky lunch”.

Thanks again to Gastropost, Taste Alberta and the 124 Grand Market for inviting us, and congratulations to the organizers for a second successful tour. I look forward to seeing what’s on the agenda for next year!

Check out Mack and Linda’s recaps of the events, too!

Food Notes for August 17, 2015

Our penultimate What the Truck?! event of the 2015 season takes place on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 4-8pm at Telus Field. Come join us for some eats on the outfield! On to this week’s food notes:

Alberta Open Farm Days runs this weekend, August 22-23, 2015, and offer people the chance to visit and learn more about some of the wonderful farms and farmers in this province. Of note, Northlands is showcasing their urban agriculture project close to home, for those who don’t want to venture too far out.
I remember Liane was one of the first to stoke the rumours about a Whole Foods coming to Edmonton (which turned out to be true), but I have to say I’m pretty skeptical about a Shake Shack expanding to Edmonton as its first Canadian location.
Let’s hope Rostizado is the latest Edmonton restaurant destined for the prestigious enRoute list of Best New Restaurants. But in the meantime, you can do your part by voting for them in the People’s Choice category.
Linda checked out an underrated restaurant on Edmonton’s southside called LETS Grill, specializing in cuisine found in northeast China.
Liv enjoyed her experience at Ikki Izakaya, the second izakaya to open in Edmonton.
It’s the end of an era for Happy Garden, at least in its current location. They’ve been given 3 months notice to vacate their storefront, and relocation isn’t guaranteed, as the family may not want to start from scratch.
I was saddened to learn that The Bothy’s 124 Street location will be closed for the foreseeable future, due to declining foot traffic because of the 102 Avenue Bridge closure.
I’m hoping for more pictures about the inaugural Feast on the Field fundraiser at Commonwealth Stadium – it sounds like it was a very unique evening with great food!
I missed linking to Phil’s list of top 5 fried chicken in Edmonton last week.
Let’s hope the sunshine isn’t gone for good – and when it comes back, here are some patio options from Avenue Edmonton to help make the most of those last summer rays.
Sure, this video is portraying stereotypes of Asian restaurants versus mainstream establishments, but it doesn’t mean it didn’t make us laugh in parts.
Mack and I took our parents to Café Amore last week to catch up over pasta. I think it was a point of pride for the men to clean their plates, while my Mum, Patti and I were content to take home the leftovers.

My favourite truffle pasta

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