A Canadian Foodie

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/

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!

Cheesepalooza Wrap Up Tasting and Potluck
2013-07-05 18:00 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | 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.

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

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.

Traditional Canadian Christmas Fruit Cake Tasting
2014-01-25 15:00 - 17:00 | 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!

I won a Thermomix Trip to Mexico
2014-02-25 06:00 - 2014-03-04 00:00 | Grand Sunset Princess, Playa Del Carment, Mexico
I won a trip from Thermomix Canada for selling so many Thermomixes in 2013!
Good for me! Mom and I will be away enjoying the Mayan sun for 6 long and leisurely days – but I will still be able to answer your Thermomix questions via e-mail!

WIN Lunch With Lynn at NAIT Ernest's Restaurant
2014-03-13 11:30 - 13:30 | NAIT, 11762 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5G 2R1 , Canada
Read all about it and win two tickets to attend, here!

Culinary Arts Cook Off
2014-03-15 11:00 - 15:00 | Mount Royal School, 11303 55 Street Edmonton , Edmonton, Alberta, T5W 3P6, Canada

The Former Yugoslavia
2014-07-29 - 2014-08-18 | Vanja’s Father’s House, Biljeljina, Bosnia And Herzegowina
Heading out ….

To visit Pava’s grave and say good-bye.

Piedmont Alba Truffle Festival and Barolo Itinerary
2014-10-26 | Turrin Italy, Turino, Italy
Wanna Play Hooky?
Let’s Get Out of Town and go to the famous Alba Truffle Festival and taste wine in Barolo!
Organized by Valerie Lugonja: Valerie@acanadianfoodie.com
Tour is on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014
Payment required by October 10 2014
100 Euro per person, or 147 Canadian dollars; vat and tip included in this amount
Pick up 9 am Turin: specific location yet to be determined
Drop off 7:30 pm Turin at designated restaurant for dinner together, transportation back individual responsibility; or drop off at pick up location, if preferred
Price for Piedmont Alba Truffle Festival and Barolo Itinerary includes:

transportation,
English speaking driver, VAT and 15% tip
wine tasting in Bra, admission to the Unesco Heritage site
itinerary (below)

There is no official guide; we will tour together
Other costs to consider:

Lunch: Approximately 35 Euros for 3 course set menu, includes tip and tax
Dinner: Approximately 40 Euros for 3 course set menu, includes tip and tax
Incidentals: torrone factory purchases, coffee, snacks, shopping (wine, truffles, specialty foods etc.)

Note: Reservations will be made for lunch and dinner, so if you are opting out, I will need to know when you pay for this trip; Meals and all incidental expenses will be the personal responsibility of each participant.
Number of Participants
Need 7 people for this to be “a go”; three spaces are booked so need 4 more people. First paid, first reserved.
Cost Breakdown Per Person:

Car for 10.5 hours with driver plus VAT and 15% tip = 110 Canadian
Heritage Site Entry and Headphones = 11.50 Canadian
Bra Wine Tasting = 25 Canadian

TOTAL 147 Canadian Dollars Each
Can double the size of the trip, price will be a bit cheaper if that happens, so will refund on site if the response is such that the size is doubled.
Payment for the Piedmont Alba Truffle Festival and Barolo Itinerary
Payment needed immediately upon confirmation. First to pay have space reserved for this trip.
NO REFUNDS: if less than 6 people pay, and there is no trip, each person will be refunded in full. You can transfer your space in this tour by selling it independently to another person but must send me their name and contact information.
To register and save your seat on this tour, send an etransfer to: Valerie@acanadianfoodie.com for 147 Canadian Dollars titled Piedmont Truffle Barolo Tour, Sunday, October 26 to secure your place in this trip with an email to the same address to include the following:

full name
cell phone, email and Turino contact information (send it when you get it)
lunch reservation with group in recommended restaurant on itinerary? Yes or no?
dinner reservation with group in recommended restaurant on itinerary? Yes or no?

I will notify you of exact pick up location; possibly each of your hotels, once information is collected from all participants.

Piedmont Alba Truffle Festival and Barolo Itinerary SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014
9 am pick up Torino TBD
10 am Alba Truffle Market: self guided walking/shopping tour of the truffle market; make sure to have a snack and coffee enroute
12:00 pm meet up to continue via car; be on time
12:15 am Torrone Factory: Piano Gallo 48, Grinzane Cavour (www.sebaste.it); high quality Torrone for a good price; stop to shop for those who like torrone – a fast 15 minutes enroute dependent upon time (in other words, if we leave late, we miss it)
12:30 pm Enoteca Regionale Piemontese located in an historic castle with a breath taking view (www.castellogrinzane.com); this is a Unesco World Heritage Site with specialty regional foods and very special wines at the Enoteca (entry and headset reserved and included in tour price) castellogrinzane.com
Museum Tour, approx.. 30 minutes; 30 minutes for browsing and buying at the Enoteca
1:30 pm meet up to continue via car; be on time
1:45 pm enroute to La Morra, for lunch: a pretty little village; More e macine for lunch, via xx Septembre 18 (name of the restaurant)
3:15 pm meet up to continue via car; be on time
3:30 pm Barolo, a very small but beautiful town for wine tasting/buying; tasting/buying will be self guided here as there are many little shops that offer similar experiences and prices
4:30 pm meet up to continue via car; be on time
5:00 pm Bra, home of the Slow Food Academie for another wine tasting at Banca del Vino (http://www.bancadelvino.it); usually there is guided tour and tasting, but due to Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto happening at this time, the tour will be self guided and a small tasting is included in tour price
6:00 pm meet up to continue via car; be on time
Return to Torino by 7:30 pm for dinner reservation at La Badessa in piazza Carlo Emanuele (optional http://www.labadessa.net); this will be one final drop off point, or you may be dropped at the same place picked up from in the am, yet to be determined.
3.5 hours in the car throughout the day; 10.5 hours of tour time out of the car estimated until dinner at 7:30pm
NOTE: All insurances and liabilities on this tour are the soul responsibility of each participant. This tour has been organized by me without any personal advantage or profit. I am paying my own portion, as each of you are. We will be attending as Slow Food members celebrating the food of the region, together.

Making Agnolotti with Jens
2015-01-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Taste Tripping, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Meat and Vegetarian Filling Agnolotti

Putting away some delicious homemade agnolotti pasta for a busier day. It will be great to practice the skills learned together at the cooking class we took in Turino October 2014

Royal Caribbean Cruise with Mom
2015-01-29 08:00 - 2015-02-08 17:00 | Royal Carribbean Cruise
New Orleans and Western Royal Caribbean Cruise

Mom and Dad loved cruises and have been on more than a few. Vanja and I? None. No desire. Maybe a little fear, actually. Lots of problems on cruise ships with proper healthcare and international law…. but, she found the cruise and really wanted to go for “One last big trip!” My response? “OK! If you want to have one last big trip, let’s plan it and really do it well.” Her answer? “That’s not how I do things. This came along. It is a great price, so if you want to go, we’ll go, and if not, that’s fine, too.” So, we’re going. We have always wanted to travel to New Orleans, so I am very excited about that. Mom was not interested in adding a few days there at either end of the trip, so I will just have to go back. Soon, I hope! (Life is getting shorter, daily~!)
Itinerary:
Thursday January 29

Depart from Edmonton to New Orleans: and it is a grueling schedule for 2 gals our age; especially me! 🙂 Seriously, ridiculously long flight with 3 connections. We will be exhausted when we arrive.

Friday January 30

AM 1/2 Day New Orleans Motor Coach Sight Seeing Tour: French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, short walk along Bourbon Street, short stop at a cemetery, view remains of destruction by Hurricane Katrina, shore of Lake Pontchartrain, view longest bridge in the world, see new flood gates and rebuilt levees. We will drive by antebellum mansions, travel to St. Charles Avenue along the Mardi Gras Route
Lunch on our own
PM Swamp Tour: part of pre-purchased 3 Tour Package that must be purchased before arrival
Dinner Event: part of pre-purchased 3 Tour Package that must be purchased before arrival

Saturday January 31

AM Visit: Louisiana State Museum’s Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond Exhibition
Lunch on our own
Transfer to Serenade of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
Port: Cruise departs New Orleans Port late afternoon

Dinner on the ship

Sunday February 1

at sea

Monday February 2

at sea

Tuesday February 3

Port: Falmouth, Jamaica

Optional Excursion: (possible to purchase after boarding) explore Falmouth’s historic district, view historic Georgian archetecture (200 years of history)

Wednesday February 4

Port: Georgetown, Grand Cayman

No Optional Excursion here
Laze on the beach, shop, visit local museums, or spot native lizards and parrots in Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

Thursday February 5

Port: Cozumel, Mexico

Optional Excursions: (possible to purchase after boarding) board the Reef Explorer Semi-Sub and submerge 4 feet under the surface in spacious air conditions surroundings to view the rich and exotic underwater world of the Carribbean or go snorkeling.
Visit San Miquel, the only town on the island, and shop

Friday February 6

at sea

Saturday February 7

Port: New Orleans

Disembark and transfer to motor coach to visit an old plantation on the West bank of the Old River Road
Mississippi River Cruise Jazz Dinner: part of pre-purchased 3 Tour Package that must be purchased before arrival

Sunday February 8

Depart from New Orleans to Edmonton: another grueling day of flawed travel plans to get a cheap flight apparently (that is why I like to pay more – I might just live longer…. but mom is so healthy, she doesn’t notice these things!)

Falmouth Jamaica
Situated on Jamaica’s North coast about 18 miles east of Montego Bay, Falmouth is noted for being one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian towns. Visitors to Falmouth will experience the revitalization of one of the first shipping ports in the Caribbean, with a rich heritage dating back more than 240 years. Falmouth flourished as a market center and port for decades when Jamaica was the world’s leading sugar producer.
Most recent development includes a two-berth pier, retail establishments, restaurants and a transportation center. In the future, there will be onsite attractions and experiences, hotel and residential components along with additional retail and restaurant options.
The One Thing You Don’t Want to Miss
Visit the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios, where you can climb 600 feet up from the base of the falls or retreat to the beach where the rushing water exits into the ocean. At Dolphin Cove you can watch the dolphins at play or walk through the jungle to see friendly birds and iguanas.
Visit Good Hope Great House and tour one of the immaculately preserved homes on a former sugar plantation, which dates back to the 1770s and sits on over 2,000 acres. From dune buggy safaris and river tubing to a horse and buggy tour, you will find many activities to keep you entertained. Here you will discover the ruins of buildings that were once the jewel of the Caribbean on its estate grounds. Be sure to visit the local pottery house and enjoy an authentic Jamaican lunch.
Other Fun Things to Do

Take in Falmouth’s British Colonial architecture
Visit the Good Hope Great House for rich history, culture and scenic beauty including the Pottery House and Trading House
Board the 30-foot bamboo rafts that offer romantic and adventurous rides on the Martha Brae River. Sit back and relax as a raft captain guides you through an exceptional view of the island’s tropical scenery
Take a trip through time on a horse-and-buggy ride through town
Enjoy a scenic drive through Jamaica’s interior to Appleton Estate, where visitors learn how rum is made, sample wet sugar and have the chance to taste different-aged rums
Travel east to Ocho Rios where you can climb the spectacular Dunn’s River Falls, soar through the lush rainforest canopy on a zip line, wind down the mountainside on a Jamaican bobsled or swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove
Feel the warmth of sun and sand on your skin as you steal away on a beach getaway at the Breezes Grand Resort in Negril or Cornwall Beach in Montego Bay

Shopping for Bargains
The pulse of Falmouth radiates from the heart of Water Square where you’ll discover the Albert George Shopping and Historical Center. Pick up local craftwork wares that showcase the history and culture of the area and make memorable souvenirs for visitors and those back home. Wednesday morning was made for the most dedicated shoppers, as dealers fill stall after stall with native produce and gifts you won’t find anywhere else you journey.
Get a Taste of Local Flavor
A trip to Falmouth, Jamaica, wouldn’t be complete without sampling one of the more than 300 different jerk recipes that are cooked locally. From shrimp and lobster to chicken and pork, the jerk recipe is the signature of the city’s tasty fare. Complement this culinary adventure by sampling local refreshing fruits like the ackee, breadfruit and star apple, a sweet finish to your flavorful journey.
Local Currency
The Jamaican dollar (JMD) is the official unit of currency. U.S. dollars, traveler’s checks and credit cards are widely accepted. You’ll be able to pay with U.S. dollars at nearly every restaurant and shop in town, but be prepared to get change in Jamaican dollars if U.S. currency is not available.
Notes:
Passengers depart immediately for excursions with the cruise lines, and the arrival of Falmouth’s port has led to a slew of new offerings by Chukka (the tour operator that runs many cruise ship tours) on the vast grounds of Good Hope Great House, one of Jamaica’s most stately plantation homes. But you could easily spend a few hours admiring the town’s architecture, popping into a jerk joint for a very authentic snack for a few dollars or taking in the town scene from above with a perch at Cafe Nazz. If the beach is calling, there are a few within a 10-minute taxi ride, and Montego Bay’s party beaches are only 30 minutes away/
More tips here.
Shore excursions by Chukka Tourism, Jamaica here

Falmouth Cooking Class must be booked in Advance
1700’s Great House and Plantation Tour
Best Overview and Overall Tour for First Timers

Georgetown, Grand Caymen
The One Thing You Don’t Want to Miss
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: snorkeling with stingrays at Stingray City Sandbar. These relatively tame creatures will swim right into your arms as they glide around you. They have velvety soft skin and love to have their bellies rubbed. Despite their frightening name, they are very gentle and won’t hurt you as long as you stay away from their tails.
Other Fun Things to Do

Take a tour through the charming city of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. Stop at the town of Hell, whose name was inspired by its unusual rock formations. Visit the Turtle Farm, an interactive sea-turtle nursery where green and hawksbill turtles are bred and raised.
Explore a seemingly endless stretch of magnificent coastline at Grand Cayman’s world-famous Seven-Mile Beach.
Sail the beautiful waters of the North Sounds, stopping by Stingray City, aboard a 60-foot racing catamaran.
Surround yourself with exotic marine life and huge coral formations as you explore the underwater world in a submarine.
Experience a bird’s-eye perspective of Grand Cayman on an exciting helicopter tour.
Swim with stingrays, dolphins and turtles and complete this adventure tour at Tiki Beach on Seven Mile Beach.

Sporting Adventures

Paddle along Grand Cayman’s world-renowned Seven-Mile Beach on a kayaking adventure.
Explore a historic shipwreck while snorkeling the beautiful Cayman waters.
Explore the island and get a great workout at the same time, cycling through the island’s quaint villages.

Shopping for Bargains
Grand Cayman is humorously referred to as “Brand Cayman” by those savvy shoppers who know the island’s reputation for fabulous duty-free prices on designer merchandise. Great bargains abound on jewelry and watches from Caribbean Hook, Chopard, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Atencio, John Hardy, Kabana, Roberto Coin, Starnight, Alfex, Cartier, Concord, Faconnable, Gucci, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado, Wenger and more. Fine china, crystal, perfumes, leather, rum cakes, and liquor are available at bargain prices. Local crafts and treasure coins found in retail shops in George Town are also great buys.
Local Currency
The official currency of the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Islands dollar (KYD). U.S. dollars, credit cards, and traveler’s checks are widely accepted.
Shore Excursions here.
More tips here.
Cozumel
Shore excursions here.

Here I Come: Thermomix TM31 hits Salt Lake City
2015-02-25 08:00 - 2015-03-29 17:00 | Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Interested in seeing a Thermomix Demonstration if you live in Salt Lake City?

I am going to be GRAMSEY so will be in Salt Lake City for a month and will definitely be able to show my favourite kitchen machine to those interested. Of course, I cannot sell one to you, as I am not there to work, but I can share the passion with you. (January 2015 Incentives for the Thermomix TM31) I am there for the birth of my first grandchild – and to go to the Red Iguana as much as I possibly can to eat the best Mexican Food outside of the country.

(Still dreaming of the Enchiladas Potosinas I had two times while there last.) Anyway, if you are interested in setting up an appointed time to see a demonstration while I am there, I will probably have time to do a couple of demonstrations. Email me at valerie@acanadianfoodie.com and I will follow up with you… or

If you have a food website or read or follow my website and live in the area, let’s go for coffee or a taste of the city. Would love to meet – all dependent upon priority numero uno: William Duggan!

Salt Lake City: Here I come for the entire month of March 2015. I will be forever changed.

William Duggan Andersen: Arrival Due February 27
2015-02-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Salt Lake City, UT, United States
I am going to be GRAMSEY!!!!!
William Duggan Andersen, first grandchild due soon and I will be there.
SO EXCITED!

Vancouver Thermomix TM5 Training
2015-05-23 - 2015-05-27 | Thermomix Vancouver, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Consultant and Team Leader Training

William Duggan Andersen Blessing
2015-05-29 08:00 - 2015-06-08 17:00 | Andersen Home, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Salt Lake City, here Gramsy comes!!!!

Europe 2015 Trip
2015-06-09 08:00 - 2015-07-10 17:00 | Alberta
Hello Petar! (Vanja’s dad)
Amsterdam, Former Yugoslavia, Greece and more!
Yeah!!! Happy Summer!

Thermomix Demonstration: Join Us?
2015-10-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Taste Tripping Culinary Tour, Travel and Cooking Classes, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, T5T 6P8, Canada
Curious, but not yet a serious Thermomix Enthusiast?

You can see a post of a demonstration from a few years ago here.
Join us.
RSVP.

Tickled Pink to Host Cathy's Birthday Party!
2016-06-22 18:00 | Taste Tripping, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Amy's Baby Shower for Heidi Marie
2016-07-10 13:30 - 16:30 | Taste Tripping, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Vanja's Pig Roast July 23 2016
2016-07-23 16:00 | Taste Tripping, 874 Proctor Wynd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
