Spring food events mean return of seasonal treats
With the giant bunny of Easter looming somewhat ominously, we are driven to consider what traditional foods must be placed on the table for our loved ones. In Italy, and now in Edmonton, a seasonal bread known as Colomba di Pasqua is a popular option, particularly for brunch.
The sweet bread, shaped like a dove, is made locally by Canova and can be picked up either at the bakery’s location at 12667 125 St. or at Safeway and Sobeys. The grocery stores carry Canova’s signature citrus flavour. You may be lucky enough to score a chocolate loaf at the Canova retail outlet. canova.ca
Mother’s Day is coming up, yes, quickly. You’re probably wondering what sort of amazing gift to give the woman who held you in her womb for a very long time. What about a nice brunch?
Sure, you can blacken a bit of toast and over-scramble some eggs, and she’ll be cheerful about it. But if you want to impress, think about taking a class at Kitchen by Brad.
Chef Tracy Zizek will teach you fun twists on brunch staples, including crepes filled with chocolate and nuts, brie and fruit-stuffed french toast, vegetarian eggs Benedict with basil hollandaise, and bacon asparagus quiche. The classes run for about three hours on Tuesday, April 11, Saturday, April 15, and Saturday, April 29 and cost $145 per person. For details, email info@ kitchenbybrad.ca or call 780-7577704.
Last year, the Alberta Avenue Business Association and the City of Edmonton created a pilot project designed to let Edmontonians know what delicious bites were available on 118 Avenue — home to many small, independent restaurants, often with an ethnic flair.
The pilot project proved so successful that organizers have brought the concept back for three more tours, starting Wednesday, April 26. On the walking tour are El Rancho, Battista Calzone, and T&D Vietnamese Noodle House. Participants experience the flavours of each restaurant, sampling the food, drink, and culture that each unique business has to offer.
Tickets are $40. More details are at alberta-avenue.com.
Dining with Friends, a regular dinner club hosted by the Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society (FRAMS), is having a Haitian night at Caribbean’s Finest Restaurant (8815 118 Ave.) for its next outing on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. Linda Tzang, curator of cultural communities at the Royal Alberta Museum, will tag along to tell lots of great stories about the food. The menu includes taro fritters, Creole chicken skewers and sweet potato pudding. For tickets to the $43 event, call the FRAMS office at 780-453-9103 or email frams.office@gmail.com.
I recently wrote a profile of Vikram Vij, based on an interview with the Vancouver celebrity chef about his new memoir, Vij. In it, the chef talks about his line of frozen Indian entrees that, at one time, could only be sold within B.C.
Now, the products are making their way into Alberta. The Vij’s At Home line will soon be showing up at Save-On-Foods. A spokesperson for Vij’s company says the products should be on frozen-food shelves by the last two weeks of April.
The fourth annual Dig In Horticulinary Festival kicks off in St. Albert with a host of activities geared toward local food. Sponsored by the city of St. Albert and Hole’s Greenhouses, Dig In runs April 29 and 30 at the Enjoy Centre (101 Riel Dr.) and sees talented guest chefs working with staff at the Glasshouse Bistro to prepare special menus.
Acclaimed Toronto chef Corbin Tomaszeski (the pride of Warburg) will produce a onetime brunch menu and one-time dinner menu for guests at the bistro. Chef Tomaszeski is the host of Food Network shows Dinner Party Wars, Restaurant Makeover and Restaurant Takeover, and he began his career in Edmonton at Holt’s Cafe.
Then on Sunday, April 30, Gusto TV’s Desiree Nielsen of The Urban Vegetarian cooks up a brunch menu at the Glasshouse Bistro, located inside the Enjoy Centre. Tickets for these celebrity meals along with other presentations and workshops are available on the Dig In website.