A Canadian Foodie

Traditional Canadian Christmas Fruit Cake Tasting
2014-01-25 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Taste Tripping: Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
Register to participate in this Canadian Heritage Recipe Tasting

If you have made a Christmas cake and have some leftover – and most of us do, please come! Send me an e-mail immediately.
If you do not have any cake, but want to come – send me an e-mail immediately!
What kinds of Cakes?

light and dark cakes
dried fruit and candied fruit cakes

All traditional cakes….
How can I participate in the Traditional Canadian Christmas Fruit Cake Tasting?

e-mail me at valerie@acanadianfoodie.com to confirm your interest in attending the tasting

let me know if you have a cake or not
if you have a cake, describe it and send me a copy of the recipe, please
let me know if you will be bringing one person with you

Event Confirmation Process:

First 8 that respond with cakes will be assured a spot at the tasting. This will be confirmed to each of you immediately. Right now, there are two cakes. We need 5 to make this happen and 10 would be the maximum for this event.
I will be asking for a soft copy of your cake recipe before the tasting and will send all recipes to all who attend after the tasting.
Cake preparation/cutting instructions will be sent out to attendees via e-mail the day prior to the tasting.
The address to my home, with directions will be e-mailed to attendees the day before the event
If there are a minimum of 5 cakes, then I will start to confirm spots for tasters without cakes: two spots for each cake… that is if we have 10 cakes, there will be a maximum of 30 in attendance (should we ever be so lucky!)

The Traditional Canadian Christmas Fruit Cake Tasting Process:
Information to know… and more will be sent to you via mail.

Please arrive on time or within 15 minutes of 4pm
I will serve a festive drink of some kind
Tasting instructions will be e-mailed prior to the event and explained with questions answered at 4:15 sharp
Informal “formal” tasting will commence at 4:30 and finish by 5pm
Depending upon my week and our numbers, I may serve another little somethin’ somethin’

We’ll discuss our findings for the last hour and work to make sense of the tasting experience in some kind of summary through sharing results
Photographs:
I will be writing about our experience and posting it on my website, with photos. If you don’t want to be in them, please let me know in advance. Also, I don’t post photos where appearance is compromised.
Sure hope this will happen! Help me to make it happen?
Future Tastings:
I plan to host a few of these this year, so hope to get a healthy response to initiate some enthusiasm about meeting up to Taste regional or local food and heritage Canadian food recipes this year.
Happy 2014. Let the Tastings Begin!

Christmas in November 2013: 25th Anniversary Edition
2013-11-04 - 2013-11-07 | Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Alberta, Canada
I am taking mom to Christmas in November this year!

We are heading out mid morning Monday, November 4th, to the Hotel Mcdonald for the bus ride to this event. I attended by myself a couple of years ago, and this is a MUST ATTEND event for any Canadian woman with best friends, moms, sisters or husbands. Yes, men love it, too, though there are about 75% women in the room. Maybe that is why!
Upon arriving at the Hotel, coffee and a continental breakfast awaits. The room filled with spit and polished women donned in festive attire with magic in the air. The buses lined up outside take us, our box lunch, and Santa’s Elves to the Lodge. We play games, laugh, win prizes and learn about the event enroute. At the gates of the lodge, HO HO HO! Who is there? Why, Santa, of course. He hops on our bus, welcomes us to the lodge, we drive in to be hugged personally by each of the celebrity presenters at the event. More elves inside with cookies, hot chocolate, champagne – and this is only the beginning. I am tickled pink to be attending the 25th anniversary of the event this year with my mom. I will be writing and tweeting, so please follow along – or register, and join in!
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and The Edmonton Journal invite you to experience an extraordinary event twenty-five years in the making…The 25th Anniversary of Christmas in November.
Hosts Judy Schultz and Nik Manojlovich will lead the way through festive welcome receptions, exquisite gala dinners and fun, interactive luncheons. Our fabulous celebrity chefs and presenters will teach you the secrets of holiday entertaining during hands-on cooking demos, decorating classes, champagne tastings, mixology classes, craft sessions and much, much more. This is truly an occasion not to be missed!
Long time favourites and new presenters this year include Chef Michael Smith, Anna Olson, Bob Blumer, Corbin Tomaszeski, Elizabeth Baird, Karl Lohnes, Julie Van Rosendaal & many more. *Presenters vary by package.
2013 dates: 2 Nights – November 1-3, 2013 from $849 per person SOLD OUT! 3 Nights – November 1-4, 2013 from $999 per person LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE 3 Nights – November 4-7, 2013 from $949 per person LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE 3 Nights – November 8-11, 2013 from $999 per person LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

I get to meet and interview Elizabeth Baird while there. This will be a highlight for me!
Elizabeth Baird will be joining us for each package of Christmas in November. She will be joined by special guests Emily Richards on the midweek package and Rose Murray on the final weekend package.
Elizabeth Baird, recently honoured by becoming a member of the Order of Canada, has a lifelong passion for food and cooking with a special focus on all things Canadian. From her first book, Classic Canadian Cooking to her most recent, with co-author Rose Murray, Canada’s Favourite Recipes, the spotlight has been on what’s good to eat in Canada. Over twenty years as food editor of Canadian Living provided many opportunities beyond directing the food section of the magazine. For television it was Canadian Living Cooks: for cookbooks, notably The Complete Canadian Living Cookbook: and to bring back stories to the magazine, the privilege of talking to Canadians in their kitchens, markets, shops, farms, cheese factories, restaurants, and not forgetting fishing boats.

2013 Travel Alberta Industry Conference
2013-10-27 - 2013-10-30 | The Fairmont Banff Springs, Edmonton, Alberta
I will be attending The Travel Alberta Industry Conference with the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance this year, as a Director. This conference provides the Alberta tourism industry with an opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate individuals and organizations excelling in and enhancing our tourism industry together. This Conference is the premier professional and personal development opportunity available anywhere in Alberta tourism.
Date: October 27 – 29, 2013 Location: The Fairmont Banff Springs
TAIC provides the Alberta Tourism Industry with an opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate individuals and organizations excelling in and enhancing our tourism industry.
Keynote Sessions

Cheesepalooza Wrap Up Tasting and Potluck
2013-07-05 18:00 - 21:30 | Taste Tripping Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
Our year has come to an end….
This is our final Cheesepalooza Tasting this year, so we thought we would make it an old fashioned potluck dinner….

Please RSVP to valerieATacanadianfoodieDOTcom if you can come:

how many people you are bringing (let’s limit that to family members, or a friend)
dish you are bringing
the recipe for that dish
are you bringing homemade cheese and if so, what kinds

I PRAY it is good weather, and hope to see as many of you out as possible!

This is a great start of a late evening for the young crowd. Arrive early, have a blast, and leave early. 🙂

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Cheesepalooza WILL continue next year. (Is that you I hear cheering?)

I will be leading this as a Slow Food Edmonton event, but non-members of Slow Food are certainly welcome to join, as are all of you “old” cheeseheads from this year’s project!
We will choose another book, and post monthly challenges similar to what we have done this year, missing a couple of the months. We will offer monthly cheese making opportunities to all Slow Food Edmonton members who are interested in joining the project. Instead of Addie and I making cheese at my house once a month, there would be more people making their own cheese.

Also, Slow Food Edmonton members will be invited to the Tastings. We will focus our conversations at the tastings, for part of the time, on Raw Milk and see if we can work to contribute to the Raw Milk Campaign that was initiated in April of this year at the Slow Food National Meeting.

Garage Sale: The Event of the Century
2013-06-01 | Taste Tripping Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
At My House!
Come one, Come all! Please help me CLEAN OUT MY GARAGE.
ALTERNATE PHONE: 780-456-5073
We have been renovating our kitchen, so I have cleaned through every nook and cranny and so many treasures and tacky finds have found their way to our garage. Yes, even including a lovely, white enamel Kohler Kitchen sink with a great faucet. Love it, but needed an under mount for the new counters.
Garage Sale prices…
I will make a list here closer to the date. For now:

874 Proctor Wynd
Edmonton AB T5T 6P8
(look up Taste Tripping on Google Maps)
9 am to 4pm, rain or shine – hopefully shine as we need the driveway for you to see it all!

CHEESE MAKING CLASSES AT SMOKY VALLEY ARTISAN CHEESE
2013-05-19 | Smoky Valley Goat Cheese, P.O. Box 1046, Smoky Lake, AB, T0A 3C0, Canada
Do you love cheese? Have you ever wanted to know how cheese is made? Now is your chance, Smoky Valley Artisan Cheese, along with Much To Do About Cheese, are offering cheese making classes.
Cost: $129 per person for Smoky Valley Artisan Cheese ($124 if you follow us on twitter @svgoatcheese) We have group rates available.
Where: At Smoky Valley Artisan Cheese by Smoky Lake Alberta. (Approximately 1.5 hrs. northeast of Edmonton) If youare worried about distance there are accommodations nearby in Smoky Lake, Alberta. Information can be found here.
When: The Sunday of most long weekends during the spring and summer. We are offering classes on the following dates

May 19, 2013
June 30, 2013
August 4, 2013
September 1, 2013

What you get for your money:

a tour of our Cheese Making facility including the aging rooms
hands on experience making cheese in our make room and how to convert this knowledge so you can use it to make cheese at home
a light breakfast upon arrival, refreshments during breaks and lunch will also be provided
to take home some of our cheese; we will try hard to send you home with some of what we make that day, but it will usually be a small wheel of one of our semi-firm cheeses and a soft cheese as well
fun, friendship and an experience you should enjoy.

Basic Schedule:

arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, where we have introductions and light breakfast/refreshments
a tour of the facility and then start making cheese
between 11:00 and 1:00 we usually break for lunch, depending on the type of cheese we are making
3:00- 3:30 PM we are usually finished making cheese, and cleaning up
3:30-4:00 participants select cheese to take home, and depart

What to bring:
Wear clothes that can get wet, a short-sleeved shirt without buttons and a clean apron. A clean pair of shoes for the cheese making room that can also get wet; “Crocs” are completely acceptable. Please note that you will be required to wear a hair net during the class.
For more information email Ian@muchtodoaboutcheese.com or visit http://muchtodoaboutcheese.com/cheese-making-classes-at-smoky-valley-artisan-cheese/

Cheesepalooza Fieldtrip: Pecorino Making at THE CHEESIRY!
2013-05-04 | The Cheesiry, Highway 16 (Between Kitscoty & Lloydminster) south on Range Road 24, 1/2 mile - blue and white building with the 3 silos, Kitscoty, Alberta, Canada
Saturday, May 4, 2013 6:30 AM departure for THE CHEESIRY between Kitscoty and Lloydminster
Price

115 for the Cheesiry and gas for the carpool
or, you can also drive there yourself
If you participate in the carpool, the amount will be divided by the number of people in the car

What you get for your money

a 1.5kg wheel of pecorino that is already aged OR the fresh one just made to age, fresh milk b-a-a-tte and the cheese making lesson and lunch
a whole lotta fun and the possibility of building some new friendships

Registration
Please contact Valerie@canadianfoodie.com and I will provide payment instructions to you.
Itinerary and what to bring

meet at 6:15 for carpool; leave at 6:30 sharp
eat breakfast enroute (pack it with you)
bring snacks and water as well as a clean apron and second set of shoes
arrive at 9 pm (2.5 hour drive)
make cheese and tour the facility at The Cheesiry
lunch at 2:30 (pizza or grilled cheese)
see sheep in the pasture and bring in for milking at 4:30
make a fresh milk b-a-a-tte (Sheep milk latte)
leave afterward

Directions: Highway 16 (Between Kitscoty & Lloydminster) south on Range Road 24, 1/2 mile – blue and white building with the 3 silos
Cheesepalooza Fieldtrip: Pecorino Making at THE CHEESIRY!

Cheesepalooza Local Tasting # 4
2013-03-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Taste Tripping Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
For all Local Cheesepalooza Participants.
Please RSVP! Bring one other friend!
There is an open contest for guest tasters!
Tasting Guest Contest Opportunity!
For each of the following, your name will be entered into the draw to be pulled at 6 pm Thursday. March 14th. Your name will be tweeted out! Watch your twitter account to find out if you have won!

Tweet to @acanadianfoodie that you want to participate in the tasting using @canadianfoodie and #cheesepalooza in your tweet
“like” the Cheesepalooza facebook page
“like” A Canadian Foodie facebook page
tweet about the contest to others using the link to this information and @canadianfoodie and #cheesepalooza in your tweet

Smoky Valley Cheese Making February 17
2013-02-17 | Smoky Valley Goat Cheese, GD,, Smoky Lake, Alberta, T0A 3C0, Canada
Buy your Sweetheart the Cheesiest Valentine’s Day Gift EVER!
As Cheesepalooza’s partner, Smoky Valley Artisan Cheese is offering a special hands on cheese making class on Sunday, February 17th just in time for Valentine Day gift giving!

Ian Truer will be co- teaching with Leslie and Alex. They will introduce two of their new cheeses: the DUFFER, a perfect fondue cheese, and the ALLOETTE, perfect for Raclette. This cheese is a hard washed curd cheese that, when melted, offers up an ooey-gooey yummy poetic goodness!

Participants will be treated to a Raclette lunch and go home with their very own wheel of ALLOETTE! This holds the promise of an evening fondue!

After a hands on, informative fun day of cheesemaking you will leave able to host your own Raclette party – after you make the cheese at home now that you know how! #cheesepalooza..Let’s Make Cheese!. $129 pp. Contact Leslie to buy your tickets. @svgoatcheese
Gift your sweetheart with an unforgettable day of ooey gooey cheese making eating, making and taking! Priceless memories.

Honolulu 2013: Research Trip
2013-01-04 08:00 - 2013-01-14 17:00 | Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI, United States
Taste Tripping Tours, Travel and Cooking Classes goes to Waikiki!
Taste Tripping Travel, Tours and Cooking Classes heads out to Honolulu 2013 to research the area for possible future culinary tours!
We will be visiting the local farmer’s market, taking the Hole in the Wall foodie tour, attending the Fia Fia Luau, traveling to North Beach for the famous Shave Ice and searching out the best of the best for future tours to the region!
Will post reports regularly! This is an unexpected gift from my dear husband and a well needed visit to paradise to begin 2013!
We will return to continue with our kitchen renovations. Thankfully, our daughter and husband are house sitting!
Currently practicing my hula!

10

Annual Butterdome Arts and Crafts Sale
2012-12-06 - 2012-12-09 | Butterdome: University of Alberta, 87 Avenue and 114 Street , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
University of Alberta: December 6th to 9th
Thursday 10 am to 10 pm Friday 10 am to 10 pm Saturday 10 am to 6 pm Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
Admission Prices
Adults $7 Seniors (65+) $5 Youths (13-17) $5 Free Admission for children (12 and under) One time admission fee – pick up your free re-entry at the show!
How to get there
The Butterdome Craft Sale takes place at the University of Alberta Butterdome located at 87 Avenue and 114 Street in Edmonton
Transportation & Parking
There are 2 LRT stations located within easy walking distance of the Butterdome as well as an Edmonton Transit stop directly at the door. For customers with limited mobility, there is a ramp for easy access to the show’s main entrance on 87th avenue as well a pick-up and drop off area. Carry-out of purchases containing heavier items can be arranged at the show with the artisans. There are many parking areas available on Campus, view a map of nearby parking areas, LRT stations & ETS stop. View a map of nearby parking areas, LRT stations & ETS stop.
The snow is gently falling… the children are sleeping… the tree is twinkling with bright lights and under it are the wonderful treasures that were carefully chosen at the Butterdome Craft Sale.
For 21 great years, our loyal customers have been coming to the show to find the best gifts to give during the holiday season. The Butterdome Craft Sale is not only a holiday shopping tradition in Edmonton, it is a One-Stop Gift Shop for the best in Canadian Handmade. Our family of over 240 Canadian artists, artisans and designers are eagerly waiting to meet you and to help you select the unique, quality gifts that they have created for your loved ones.
Join us December 6th to December 9th at the 22nd annual Butterdome Craft Sale and make it YOUR One-Stop Gift Shop

The Savvy Do Gooder Book Launch
2012-12-02 14:30 - 15:30 | Audrey’s Book Store, 10702 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3J5, Canada
Nadine Riopel and Giving that Makes a Difference
You have limited time in your life. Limited energy. How do you want to spend it that will have the most genuine impact and make you the happiest?
How can we really have an impact? How can we not only be ‘do gooders’ but Savvy Do Gooders? How can we make sure that our life’s energy, time and money doesn’t just produce a lot of movement, but actually helps build a movement?
You don’t have to be a major donor with big bucks. You don’t have to be a huge corporation with its name on a sports arena. You, person

ally, really do have the power to change the world. You can do more good and have a better time doing it. It just takes a little savvy.
This is the book that will help. Meet the author, get your signed copy, and join in the do-gooder conversation at the Edmonton book launch.

Cheesepalooza Local Tasting # 3
2012-11-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Taste Tripping: Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
For all Local Cheesepalooza Participants.
Please RSVP! Bring one other friend!
There is an open contest for guest tasters!
Tasting Guest Contest Opportunity!
For each of the following, your name will be entered into the draw to be pulled at 6 pm Wednesday. November 21. Your name will be tweeted out! Watch your twitter account to find out if you have won!

Tweet to @acanadianfoodie that you want to participate in the tasting using @canadianfoodie and #cheesepalooza in your tweet
“like” the Cheesepalooza facebook page
“like” A Canadian Foodie facebook page
tweet about the contest to others using the link to this information and @canadianfoodie and #cheesepalooza in your tweet

The 6th - Cash Mob Edmonton - South Side Edition
2012-11-22 18:00 - 20:00 | NW corner of Riverbend Rd and 45 ave, NW corner of Riverbend Rd and 45 ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Public Event · By Cash Mob Edmonton (AB)

Thursday, November 22, 2012

6:00pm in UTC-07
NW corner of Riverbend Rd and 45 ave
Mobber’s! Have you ever explored the hidden corners of south side Edmonton? Let us show you one area, you may get hooked. When: 6pm sharp!(it’s cold out) Thursday, Nov. 22ndWhere: Mobber’s Meet @ the NW Corner of Riverbend Rd. & 45ave. Why: Don’t let the cold deter you; locally owned shops exist all over the city and if you think to ‘Buy Local First’ you require options for this initiative. We encourage you to skip on the Big Box Stores and bring money back into the city. Reflect what you want to see in Edmonton through your dollars and participation. What: Showing our appreciation for local entrepreneurship, products and services. Bring your cash (we suggest $20), reusable shopping bags, and a friend for the official 6th cash mob with Cash Mob Edmonton. The local businesses we visit thrive from the exposure and survive on word of mouth advertising; do your part. As always, the identity of the shop to be cash mobbed is kept a secret until the time of our meet. Anyone like mysteries? Take a chance with us. A way to experience the city: Cash Mob Edmonton (AB)

About

CASH MOB – support local businesses, shop local.

Mission
Our mission is to assist attracting new customers and profits to deserving, locally owned and operated businesses, while keeping the spirit light and fun. Deserving? Meaning? Good, productive, giving businesses that add to the community’s and city’s positive vibe.

Description
What is a CASH MOB? An organized effort; a community initiative; a platform for the local businesses to be recognized on. It is a group of people who love their local scene, who actively practice supporting local businesses, who see the value in those businesses whom give back to the community. With a Cash Mob, we add to the intention of exposing local businesses to new and potential repeat cust…See More

General Information
CASH MOB announcements: anytime there is a planned mobbing, you will hear about it with at least 2 weeks notice. CASH MOB meet-up locations: to be announced a week before the planned mobbing. CASH MOB etiquette: Be courteous and have fun! Be ready to spend your cash, mingle with strangers/supporters, they’re just waiting to be your friend. Most importantly, you will be treated the way you treat
others, so be kind and get the most out of the experience. : We will meet at a general area before the mobbing, we’ll call it a Mobber’s Meet, then we walk over to the specific local shop, cash mob it, and head over to a near by ‘watering hole’ to celebrate the success of the event.
Be a member of the Group Page http://www.facebook.com/groups/261134750627226/ and share your experience with friends.

What is a CSA and how does it work?
2012-11-22 09:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE, n'a, Alberta, Canada
Explore Local Webinar Series
Interactive information sessions that give you the opportunity to learn and connect with on-the-ground practitioners and expertsDate: November 22, 2012 Time: 9:00 AMLink to Register: https://albertaagriculture.webex.com/albertaagriculture/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=662135905Spacing is limited! Pre-registration is recommended as the WebEx webinar system requires you to answer several questions before joining the webinar.Questions? Email marlene.abrams@gov.ab.ca or phone Marlene at 780-968-3519 (dial 310-0000 first for toll-free access)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
More and more producers are choosing to start a CSA to sell their local product. John Mills from Eagle Creek Farms has been operating a CSA since 2009, and he will share what it takes to be successful, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ….
• What is a CSA and how does it work?• How do you get started?• How do you find customers?• What is the benefit of selling through a CSA?• What are some of the risks/challenges?• Can you make money?
Date: November 22, 2012 Time: 9:00 AMLink to Register: https://albertaagriculture.webex.com/albertaagriculture/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=662135905Spacing is limited! Pre-registration is recommended as the WebEx webinar system requires you to answer several questions before joining the webinar.Questions? Email marlene.abrams@gov.ab.ca or phone Marlene at 780-968-3519 (dial 310-0000 first for toll-free access)

Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up!
2012-11-17 16:00 - 18:30 | Churchill Square, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2C1, Canada
Presented by Edmonton’s Downtown Business Association
Saturday, November 17, 4 to 6:30 pm in Churchill Square.
Kick off the festive season at the Downtown Business Association’s annual Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up!
Starting at 4pm, the Square will be abuzz with activities and entertainment for the whole family, including free balloon artists and face-painting, stilt walkers, mascots and carolers. On the main stage some of Edmonton’s best singers, choirs and musicians will serenade with the sounds of the season.
At 6pm Santa himself will wave the magic wand that lights up the majestic 72-foot (22 metres), white spruce adorned with more than 14-thousand LED lights, cascading snowfalls, sparkles and stars. This beautiful tree was donated by Millar Western Forest Products, and installed and decorated by EPCOR. Following the tree lighting, the audience will be treated to spectacular, choreographed fireworks.
Holiday Light Up Schedule:
4 to 6 PM Holiday Light Up programming begins – entertainment and food vendors in Churchill Square. Main stage entertainment includes Kings University Choir, The Edmonton Rush Cheer Team and local percussionists Booming Tree.
6 PM Santa and Mayor Stephen Mandel will lead the countdown to the official lighting of the tree, and fireworks show.
After The Holiday Light Up, the tree will illuminate Downtown nightly at dusk throughout the holiday season.
Bring the whole family to Edmonton’s favorite holiday tradition, The Downtown Business Association’s Christmas on the Square Holiday Light Up. And don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Edmonton Food Bank.

Annie's Annual Christmas Sale
2012-11-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Annie, 11111-35 a Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Annie is having her annual Christmas sale on Nov 17th from 10 to 3 pm at 11111-35 a Ave.
The house is left or right off 111th then make the first left on 111b street
Drive around the block.
The house on the bend is a grey bungalow between 2 white houses: red mail box
Extra parking out back by the garage. Please bring your friends
7804353035

Northlands BBQ Challenge: I am a "Celebrity" Judge
2012-11-10 13:00 - 18:00 | Northlands Expo Centre, 7515-118 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 4X5, Canada
Saturday, November 10, 2012 – Expo Center on the Plaza
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM – please arrive at 1:45 PM
There will be 8 Championship BBQ teams from across Alberta and Saskatchewan competing in chicken, ribs and brisket. No skills required – just bring your buds. We will have a panel of 16 tasters.
This is just the beginning for “real” bbq in Edmonton. If you’ve seen the TV show “Pittmasters”, then that is what you will see. But you’ll be the judge on who wins.
2:00 – Meet for Celebrity Judges Tasting School, Hall H, check-in at the reception table by windows.
2:30 to 3:30 – Tasting begins, Celebrity Tastes will judge each teams’ bbq in three categories of chicken, pork ribs and beef brisket.

BY EXCLUSIVE INVITATION ONLY

“CELEBRITY” TASTERS

Join us for a real bbq tasting experience, long’n slow style

Saturday, November 10, 2012 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

2:00 PM Celebrity Tasters School, you’ll learn the techniques of judging good Q.

Expo Center Plaza, Hall H, check in at reception table inside entrance by windows.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Celebrity Tasters will judge each teams’ bbq.

You’ll mark on the score card your choice for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in

each category of chicken, pork ribs and beef brisket.

5:30 PM Awards Ceremony, The Buckle Stage.

Come early and meet the teams, please dress for the weather.

Eight Championship BBQ Teams from across Alberta and Saskatchewan

will be in attendance to talk bbq and show you their smokers.

Help us select the winning Teams at Northlands BBQ Challenge.

BBQ Cheers
Debra Wong
Competition Producer
Northlands BBQ Challenge

debwong@telus.net
PH: 403-228-5039
FX: 403-244-4989

—

Eat Alberta Planning Meeting
2012-11-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Mack and Sharon’s, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The Local Good: Green Drinks Celebrates Edmonton Arts and Crafts
2012-11-07 19:00 - 21:00 | The Common, 9910 109St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
NOVEMBER THEME: YEG gets crafty! Come, mingle and meet the people behind Edmonton’s coolest craftshows. You’ll get to meet local artists, organizers, artisans and purveyors of hand made local goods (and get sweet ideas for your holiday shopping).
Why buy Box Store junk as gifts when you can support your local crafter and buy something with a story? At Green Drinks, you can actually Meet Your Maker!

ABOUT GREEN DRINKS: Every month people work in (or are just plain passionate about) all things green and sustainable meet up at informal mixers known as Green Drinks.
We have a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government, community members and business owners (and this month – CRAFTERS!)
Don’t worry if you’re shy—just come along and we’ll look after you and introduce you to whoever is there. It’s a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new connections.
Everyone invites someone else along, so there are always a new faces. These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity.
Are you an ARTISAN/CRAFTER? Apply to show off your crafty savvy here: http://tinyurl.com/8zftdld.

TWITTER: @localgoodyeg and #greendrinksYEG

Mary Butterworth School 20th Year Reunion: Original Staff
2012-11-03 15:00 | Kinsman Centre, Edmonton, Ab, Canada
The plan is to meet around 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 and have a cocktail or two at the Kinsmen Clubhouse in Kinsmen Park (also known as River Valley Place, mapped attached, it is right underneath the High Level Bridge)
At 4:00pm the Mary Butterworth Bus (yes they have their own)will arrive at Kinsmen to take us to the school for some festivities and a photo.
The bus will return us to Kinsmen around 6ish for dinner.
Following Dinner we have a few more activities planned and then, of course, a chance to chat, party, dance, etc. just like we did 20 years ago!
The cost will be $25.00 per person, we would love your spouse, partner, significant other to attend as well. The cost will cover the hall, bus, dinner, munchies, cups, and ice – you get to bring the beverages of your choice and mix please.
Also, it would be great if you could bring along an MBS artifact from the first year and/or a story, memory or something to share.
For now, all that is left is for you to confirm you can still attend and to let me know if you are bringing someone. Please let me know by Tuesday, October 30 at the latest. As for money, I will collect it at the hall on the 3rd.
As for dress, lets keep it casual – pull out that original MBS sweater we all opened the school with 20 yeas ago or your team colour would be fun as well!
I am so looking forward to seeing you all on the 3rd!
If you have any questions please let myself, Susan or Shannon know.

Shop Local This Holiday Season: Craft Show Listings
2012-11-03 08:00 - 2012-12-09 17:00 | Various Locations, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
From the Local Good
Take a look at their detailed calendar for detailed listings of local artisanal Christmas Craft Sales. I plan to get out to as many as I can.
Events run from November 3 to December 9th.

The Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival
2012-11-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Shaw Conference Centre, 9797 Jasper Avenue , Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 1N9, Canada
Sip, sample and savour at the 11th Annual Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival
What: The Edmonton Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back for two days of indulgence, offering a little something for everyone. The Grand Tasting Hall will be bustling with more food and beverage exhibitors than ever before, leaving taste buds seduced and craving more. The Festival offers the opportunity to sample an extensive variety of world-class wine, scotch, premium spirits, import and micro-brewed beer along with gourmet culinary creations from local restaurants, hotels and food purveyors.
Liquor Depot will once again feature an on-site liquor store, where attendees can purchase their favourite finds from the night. Liquor Connect will also be available to demonstrate how L LiquorConnect.com can help find sensational sips after the Festival. Additionally, Sunshine Village will be sponsoring the Grand Prize All-Inclusive Weekend Getaway includingtwo nights accommodation at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, VIP parking, $100 gift certificate for food and beverages, a couple’s spa treatment and next day lift tickets.
Who: Wine, spirit and beer enthusiasts, food lovers with healthy appetites will unite to indulge in a tasty selection of mouth-watering delights. It’s a weekend of excitement and flavourful fun for those who are passionate about wine and food.
Why: To celebrate the art of food and beverage creations brought to light by talented local restaurants, hotels and food purveyors, as well as wine, spirit and beer providers. This weekend presents Edmontonians with an exclusive night of indulgence, sampling and savouring with friends, family and co-workers alike.
When: Friday, November 2, 4-10 p.m. Saturday, November 3, 3-10 p.m.
Where: Shaw Conference Centre, Halls A – C
Tickets are available online at www.rockymountainwine.com

Food Secure Canada National Conference in Edmonton November 1 to 4, 2012
2012-11-01 08:00 - 2012-11-04 17:00 | NAIT, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 2R1 , Canada
Powering Up for the Future!
Join Canada’s national food movement for an invigorating three-day feast of food and ideas at
Food Secure Canada’s 7th National Assembly
November. 1 – 4, 2012, NAIT, Edmonton Alberta
Registration
Program
Step up to the plate! Get inspired and help bring much-needed change to the food system. Sit down with foodies and farmers, activists and academics, politicians and policy makers, Indigenous and youth leaders, cooks and community food centre workers.
Join Food Secure Canada’s national network of inspiring people and organizations working for zero hunger, healthy and safe food, and sustainable food systems. Tell your story, find out what others are doing, build a better world!

Come Register!
Registration is only open until Friday October 26.
It’s not too late – become a member of Food Secure Canada today!
Members – $275 Non-members – $325(registration includes breakfast, lunch and snacks for the duration of the Assembly)
Register NOW!

Promote the Assembly in your Community!

Download and distribute outreach flyers in black and white or colour
Making a presentation? Use this Powerpoint slide
Share the news in your newsletter

Stay tuned! Nominations for the Food Secure Canada steering committee members will be announced soon.
Food Secure Canada’s Annual General Meeting (Sunday, November 4th) will usher in new steering committee members, offer perspective on recent FSC transitions, and articulate our vision for the future.

Tables at the Assembly
If you would like a table in the halls of the Assembly, please email Joveena (joveenaholmes[a]yahoo[dot]ca) with “TABLE” in the subject line. Space is limited so reserve today.

The Book Hub
For the first time, we are offering the opportunity to promote and sell your books at our on-site bookstore. Book signings and presentations opportunities can also be arranged. For more information please email Brenda (brendabarritt[a]gmail[dot]com) with “BOOK HUB” in the subject line.

Become a Sun Supporter of the Assembly
We could not offer such an incredible line-up (not to mention the abundance of great food) without the help of our Sun Supporters. Sponsors will be acknowledged in our materials and can benefit from complimentary registration. Find out more about sponsoring our Assembly. (Link)

Small Subsidies
A very limited amount of money is available to help subsidize participation at the Assembly for those who have had their workshops accepted but are unable to attend. If applicable, please indicate your interest in receiving a subsidy when you register. We’ll do our best to help you.
DEADLINE PASSED

Volunteer at the Assembly
Behind every good conference is a team of dynamic volunteers. If you are in Edmonton or you are attending the assembly and would also like to volunteer and join our volunteer team. Email Joveena (joveenaholmes[a]yahoo[dot]ca) with “VOLUNTEER” in the subject line.
If you have other skills you think we might need (like graphic design, translation, etc.), please contact Amanda at programs[a]foodsecurecanad[dot]org.

What is Food Secure Canada (FSC)?
Food Secure Canada is a national membership-based organization committed to fighting hunger and to building healthy, fair and ecological food systems. Food Secure Canada emphasizes the connections between Indigenous traditions and sustainable agriculture, food and health, ecology and economy. This vision connects farmers and fishers, urban and rural dwellers, and producers and eaters. It is encapsulated in Resetting the Table: A People’s Food Policy for Canada – a policy platform that thousands of people developed over a three years, creating the most comprehensive food strategy ever developed in Canada.
What is Growing Food Security Alberta (GFSA)?
Growing Food Security in Alberta (GFSA) is a provincial network whose members support each other in providing guidance and connections around food. GFSA supports ideas and actions around food and food systems that are sustainable, equitable, close to home and regenerative. The GFSA network strives to help people get involved in food and to bring food and its sources closer to home. The GFSA Vision is that all children and families in Alberta have access to healthy and, when possible, local food.
What Will Happen at the Edmonton Assembly?
The programs at Food Secure Canada’s Assemblies are based in the work of our members from across the country. They highlight the successes and challenges of projects and programs for social and ecological justice and sustainability in a mixture of plenary panels, workshops, roundtable discussions and networking sessions. The presentations and discussions are rigorous but not academic; participants come away energized and inspired (and of course well fed, as we feature both the theory and practice of good local food!).
Who attends?

People who are part of the food movement from all over Canada, including inner-city, rural and remote communities: community food project leaders, food businesses and government officials, teachers, dietitians, farmers, fishers, Indigenous leaders, students, gardeners, cooks, academics, health professionals, food bank workers and users, anti-poverty activists and interested individuals.
Media, policy makers, leading thinkers on food issues in Canada and globally.

Cheesepalooza Challenge Three Round Up: Halloumi or Feta
2012-10-31 | Unnamed Venue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Round up of Cheesepalozza Challenge Three cheese making experience will be posted for all to review! Ths is my favourite time!
Please also get your alternate Chapter 2 cheese making posts into me by today, as I will be posting an Alternate Chapter Two Cheese Making Round Up sometime close to the first week of November!

Cheesepalooza Making Mozza with CBC Radio
2012-10-28 09:00 - 17:00 | Taste Tripping: Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
Ian, Addy and I will be making mozzarella live with Matthew Kupfor and who knows when the show will be broadcast? In any case, we will add the sound bite to our next cheesepalooza post for your listening pleasure!

Public Hearing for Edmonton's Food and Agriculture Strategy
2012-10-26 09:30 - 17:30 | Edmonton City Hall, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2R7, Canada
Public Hearing for Edmonton’s Food and Agriculture Strategy
Share your views with Edmonton’s City Council about Edmonton’s Food and Agriculture Strategy
Citizens will be able to share their views with City Council about the draft strategy at a Special Executive Committee Non-statutory Public Hearing on Friday, October 26, 2012. Citizens who wish to speak at the Public Hearing can register in advance online and by phone (780-496-8178), or in person the day of the meeting.
For details on other public consultation opportunities that have occurred, see the Public Involvement page.
The only public hearing on the Food & Agriculture Strategyis taking place tomorrow at City Hall.

The Local Good is passing along this request for YOUR presence tomorrow at City Hall from the Local Food Committee of the Greater Edmonton Alliance:

“Hi folks,
In 2010, City Council put food on the planning radar of the city along with waste management, housing, roads, public transit, managing growth, water and sewer.

If you’re interested in . . .

what happens to the remaining agricultural land within Edmonton’s city limits

Raising Chickens

Growing your own garden

Sharing a community garden

Seeing what “direction” the City will set to ensure healthy food is available for all Edmontonians

. . . then this is an event you want to be at.
Over 3000 citizens participated in the City’s consultation process and preservation of agricultural land was the top ranked or most common theme named by citizens each time the City asked.
We believe the strategy does not take a strong enough stance on this issue. Now, we need to ensure that they listened to citizen’s input.

Join other Edmontonians as collectively we flex our food-citizen muscles at City Hall tomorrow, Friday, October 26th from 9:30 to 5:30.
Come for some or all of the day. (There will a lunch break from 12 to 1:30.) This will be the only opportunity for the Public Hearing for ….Fresh: Edmonton’s Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy.
Show your support by wearing something green! Look for folks outside city hall who will be distributing green ribbons for you to wear on your shirt collar showing your support for urban agriculture.

Questions? Email localfoodlist@greateredmontonalliance.com.

Local Food Team
Greater Edmonton Alliance“

Want to learn more?

Learn more about the strategy by reading the latest version of fresh: Edmonton’s Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy. You can also check out The Local Good blog to read some very informative commentary – especially this post which focuses on the City Hall event tomorrow.

Cheesepalooza Challenge Three POSTS in
2012-10-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Unnamed Venue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Please include:

your name
post url
where you are from
photo of your cheese

by October 26th, if possible!

Terra Madre 2012
2012-10-24 08:00 - 2012-10-29 22:00 | Turrin Italy, Turino, Italy
I was to attend this conference as a Congress Delegate! Next time!
http://salonedelgustoterramadre.slowfood.com/

The Good Hundred Experiment
2012-10-20 09:00 - 17:00 | Unnamed Venue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
An invite only event for YEG Do Gooders coming up on October 20th called ‘The Good Hundred Experiment’ and I thought you might want to know about it.
If you’re getting this email then we’ve either met in person or someone I respect has told me that you’re up to good things that make Edmonton a better place to be.
And we’re hosting a day long gathering (with a party in the evening) to help connect do gooders across sectors.
You can read more info about the event here: http://goodhundredproject.eventbrite.com
You can see the 30 or so folks who’ve already RSVP’d here: http://www.thelocalgood.ca/goodhundred/
Hosts:
Tad Hargrave – Co Founder of TheLocalGood.ca
web: www.marketingforhippies.com and www.thelocalgood.ca twitter: @TadHargrave
Tad is a co-founder of TheLocalGood.ca – an Edmonton network that helps Edmontonians live the local good life by supporting and connecting good local things together.
He’s also a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned how to be a hippy again). Despite years in the non-profit and activist world, he finally had to admit he was a marketing nerd and, in the end, he became a marketing coach for hippies. Maybe it was because he couldn’t stand seeing his hippy friends struggle to promote their amazing, green and holistic projects. Maybe it was because he couldn’t keep a 9-5 job to save his life. Whatever the reason, for almost a decade, he has been touring his marketing workshops around Canada, bringing refreshing and unorthodox ideas to conscious entrepreneurs and green businesses that help them grow their organizations and businesses (without selling their souls). And, over the years, he has become recognized as a leader in the wider movement towards green and local economies.
Nadine Riopel – TheSavvyDoGooder.com
web: http://www.thesavvydogooder.com/ twitter: @philanthusiast
A lifetime of searching for the best way to make the world a better place has led me to the conclusion that the best path for me to do that is to help others make their giving more engaging and effective. On the way here, I; studied international development and business administration as a university student; had misadventures as a serial volunteer; coordinated workplace giving and fielded soliciations as the executive assistant for a large company; and spent several years as a professional charitable fundraiser.
