Chefs and restaurant reviewers naturally have an awkward relationship at best, and at worst a combative one. Naturally, no chef enjoys being criticised, as nobody in any job would. Even less so when the chef deems the criticisms to be either uninformed or inaccurate. They’ve got a pretty valid point, but they’re kind of damned […]
Off Menu Podcast Ep. #15 – Farmers Markets
This week we’re talking about the trials and tribulations of farmers markets with a couple fixtures of the Edmonton farmers market scene. Owen Petersen is owner and head baker at Prairie Mill Bread Company, and veteran of numerous markets including the Southwest Edmonton Farmers Market, and the City Market Downtown, on 104 st. Kirsta Franke […]
Off Menu Podcast Ep. 14 – The Butcher Shop
The Butcher Shop The world of butchery can be demanding, but my guests this week, Elyse Chatterton from Tofield Packers, and Corey Meyer from Acme Meat Market make it look easy. These 2 butchers give some insights into their favourite cuts, their dream jobs if they weren’t butchers, and Corey reveals a man-crush on The […]
Off Menu Podcast Ep. 13 – Pass the Walrus Masala
Pass the Walrus Masala It’s always exciting when you get to try something new, but imagine a dinner party where every single dish contains something you’d never even imagined eating. That’s Northern Food Night in a nutshell. In this episode, I talk with Steven Cooper, who along with his wife Twyla Campbell created what […]
Off Menu Ep. 12 – Red Cup Distillery Moonshine
For many rural Albertans, moonshine has been something to be tight- lipped about for decades, but the opening of Red Cup Distillery in Vegreville has changed all that. Old-timers are coming out of the woodwork to share their own stories of home brew, and owner Robert de Groot graciously sat down with me in this […]
Off Menu Ep. 11- Top Chef Canada Winner Dale MacKay
In this episode, celebrated Canadian chef Dale MacKay gives us some insight into the differences between working for Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Boulud, we talk about learning from “failures”, and he talks about being an unapologetic villain. If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe in the iTunes store and leave a rating […]
Off Menu Podcast Ep. 10 – Calgary and Edmonton Food with Clapson and Campbell
The Alberta food scene has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, with Calgary leading the way with an abundance of top quality independent restaurants. The last few years have seen big strides taken here in Edmonton as well, with the promise of more great things to come. I figured it was time […]
Off Menu Podcast Episode 9 – Tipping
Tipping is such a contentious topic, with plenty of points to be made either pro or con. To sort things out, I enlisted Garner Beggs, co-owner of Edmonton’s highly acclaimed Duchess Bake Shop, and Kelsey Johnson, kitchen manager and co-owner (along with the Duchess owners) of an upcoming breakfast spot yet to be named. Kelsey […]
Off Menu Episode 8- Chef Robin Wasicuna
Chef Robin Wasicuna is passionate about food and his home city of Yellowknife. That comes across in spades during our conversation for this episode of Off Menu. I chatted with Robin about his experience as a competitor on the Food Network show Chopped Canada, and we delve headfirst into one of my favourite topics- burgers. […]
Off Menu Episode 7- Prairie Noodle’s Arden Tse
The long awaited opening of Prairie Noodle Shop has finally happened, and I sat down recently with one of the owners, Arden Tse, to chat about their Prairie inspired ramen. You’ll learn a little about ramen, what makes Prairie Noodle Shop different, and we chat a little about the dreaded online reviews. Prairie Noodle […]