Culinary Calgary

So after a bit of a struggle in my personal health, I am back and hope that this year will bring a lot of good!

The first good started when I accepted a position in the Board of Slow Food Calgary. I fell in love with this organization when I visited the Feast of Fields last year in September. At this event local chefs where coupled with local producers. This resulted in wonderful food. When I was a teenager I always told people I wanted to marry a farmer. I saw my self hugging cows, carrying around chickens, feeding pigs, etc. Well, years later, I met Gary a real life computer guy and fell in love heads over heals.
But visiting the Feast of Fields made me think of that I still could get a bit closer to the farm feeling by finding the roots of the food I eat. So I “applied” for a board position and this year I started as a Director of Slow Food Calgary. Hope to make them as happy as they’ve made my by becoming a part of this great organization.

The second good thing is that I am working with City Palate on the second Culinary Treasure Hunt. So mark your calendars: October 5th will be the day that we will have you run around the city to find the great culinary treasures of Calgary. This event will be a part of the festivities to celebrate the City Palate’s 20th year anniversary. We have found Casel Marche willing to welcome us again for the Launch Breakfast and are still looking for a place to host our Crowning Party. We’re aiming for 200 participants and all proceeds will go to a good cause again. Keep your eyes open for more news around this event!

Last but not least: I am looking for volunteers and board members for the Meaningful Meals Foundation. This organization focusses on bringing people back around the table. Not as much focussing on the food but more on the importance of eating together as families, friends, neighbours, etc. We already had a first meeting with some really enthusiastic people but need more volunteers to get this going.

The Winning Team of Calgary’s first annual Culinary Treasure Hunt is:
Chewy Goodness!!!!!!!

Some fun facts:

• 100 participants, in teams of 2, all with silly names such Chewy Goodness, Food Zombies and Dining Diva’s.
• The day started with a breakfast Launch Party donated by Casel Marche with pastries of Wild Grainz, registration teams got their name plates and their treasure list and off they went!!

Continue reading ‘CTH 2012 Summary’

After months of preparation it was finally there: The First Annual Culinary Treasure Hunt!! As with all “Firsts” there were lessons to learn! But I am very happy to see the enthusiasm of the almost 100 foodies who put their hearts and souls into the hunting!

One of the biggest challenges, besides the treasures, seemed to be the uploading of the pictures. This made judging particularly difficult. But we did it, thanks to a 6 persons judging team. And next year, we will come up with a more easy way of uploading.
Continue reading ‘Thank you all for an amazing Culinary Treasure Hunt!!!’

Today we started early with getting some really yummie pastries from Wild Grainz in Inglewood, who donated some wonderful goodies!
From here directly to our first stop of the day: Casel Marche who hosted our Launch Party with cookies, coffee and other good stuff.
Right at 8:30 am people started coming in for registration. Lots of people with tons of fun!! This evening we will crown our first Culinary Cowboy/Cowgirl!!
First pictures at Casel Marche

I love my newest “job”: scouting for Culinary Treasures!
This weekend we started of at the Calgary Farmer’s Market. They had their Chowdown Event, which was a lot of fun and a lot of people. There were a bunch of FoodTruckers invited to show off their food, wow Calgarians are in love with their Food Trucks. Line ups every where, the smallest line up was at the Fiasco Ice Cream Truck. We were hungry and not too much in the mood of waiting, so we had their daily special for dinner: A warm bacon waffle with chocolate ice cream. Yumm. We enjoyed being at the FM, as usual, we’re big fans of the Farmers Markets. A lot of treasures in one big awesome place!
Continue reading ‘Scouting’

The first registrations are coming in! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this event, it is so much fun to hear the enthusiastic responses around me.

Of course first of all Casel Marche has offered to host the Launch Party, they are such a great company. It is awesome to see how much they invest in our community. Thanks so much Jenn for all your efforts, I look forward working with you on this event.
I just got an email from International Avenue, they have also offered to sponsor this event. Thank you, for your generous donation.

Keep visiting this site for more information for more news!

The summer of 2012, I love it, so far it is one of the best. It already started with a great Canada Day, beautiful weather, awesome atmosphere, great bites to eat with the food trucks downtown at Olympic Plaza and later home, enjoying ribs on the BBQ with the whole family. Then of course the Stampede took over Calgary. We always tell our family back in The Netherlands that Canadians certainly know how to party, one festival comes after the other, summertime seems like one endless party.
Continue reading ‘I love the summer!!!’

First of all I like to announce last month’s winner of the Pasta-Challenge. We had such a great dishes; it was really difficult to choose. Girlfoodie came up with a beautiful Rigatoni dish, which we all enjoyed. So Girlfoodie, please contact me to arrange a time to pick up your price: $50.- worth of Farmer’s Market gift cards.

For this month our challenge is all about the Stampede. For me the Stampede brings a taste of burgers to my mind. I have never really enjoyed burgers however I now have my own favourite: the lamb burger with feta sauce stuffed in a pita bread. I love to know your favourite!
Continue reading ‘Lot’s of fun things!’

Wow time flies. I can hardly imagine that we’re already in April. This month my hubby and I celebrate our 25 year anniversary. Funny to think that 25 years ago I was nervous for the big day, still living with my parents back in The Netherlands. And now we’re here in Calgary. It’s unbelievable how life takes you on a crazy roller-coaster ride and how I enjoyed it.
Continue reading ‘It’s April’

I love watching Jamie Oliver cook. It’s funny how he uses his whole body while he is prepping food. When I was still teaching cooking classes to teenagers, my first lesson was about preparing you self for cooking. Basic things such as washing your hands, take off jewelry, yes, also all your 20 rings :), hair in a pony tail, etc. An then start getting your cooking mind on, read the recipe; what do you need, which pans, pots, etc. Continue reading ‘Ready Steady Go!’

Nice lunch salad!

At one of our girl’s day out, we had a lunch at Moxi’s. Both my oldest daughter and me are watching our weight and so, instead of a sandwich or pasta bowl, we tried out a salad. I am not sure if it really was so much “less calories” but it definitely tasted great. Since this healthy lunch I am experimenting with salads for a quick home made weekday lunch.

This starts with a dive in the fridge. Just simply look what’s left over from last day’s dinner, add some protein, in this case a poached egg, some dressing, et voila….

It’s that time of the year again. The numbers are in….and the winner of the 2012 Best Restaurant of the year is……Brava Bistro. Congratulations to the owner and the staff of Brava Bistro. You guys made many people happy with your food and hopefully I will experience the great food soon.

A good second is NOtaBLE. One of my absolute favourites. I love their chicken, their cheese cake and I know a lot of Culinary Calgary members feel the same love for this restaurant.

I would love to hear what you think of this years list of foodies and goodies. Read and let me know if you agree with The List!

Calgary’s Best Restaurants 2012: The List | Avenue Magazine.