Explore the culinary delights of Music City
If the thought of listening to music in Nashville makes you hungry, this is the tour for you.
For five days, Oct. 22-26, I’ll be leading a group of food and music lovers on behalf of Newwest Travel through the buzzing streets of Music City. The trip offers plenty of opportunities to sample classic southern dishes, including barbecue, grits and other down-home specialties. Plus, we’ll be taking a southern cooking class at Dabble Studio (complete with a bourbon float, and an intensive study of the history of bourbon). A second culinary class will demonstrate how to make a classic southern candy bar, the Goo Goo — touted as the world’s first combo candy bar. Naturally, there is a night of music at the Grand Ole Opry, with a signature Nashville dinner beforehand. Three walking tours, including a brewery and distillery tour, will help you burn calories while finding your way around this popular music centre. We have left a couple of nights free to explore storied Nashville neighbourhoods such as Germantown, 12South and The Gulch, or to visit any number of hip eateries.
The trip costs $3,480 based on double occupancy. In addition to the highlights above, that price covers round-trip airfare from Edmonton to Nashville (including parking at the airport while you’re gone), four-nights accommodation at downtown’s Courtyard Marriott, five days of sightseeing with local tour guides (and me), plus a welcome reception and farewell lunch while in Nashville. There is a Bon Voyage reception to kick off the trip prior to departure. For further information, call Newwest Travel at 780-432-7446 or email info@ newwesttravel.com.
The only thing that makes me feel better when winter hangs around too long is to plan nice treats for myself. If you are the same way, think hard about a couple of events at Chartier in Beaumont this month.
On April 23, co-owners Sylvia and Darren Cheverie host their first long table Brewmaster’s dinner for 2018 with their friends at Bench Creek Brewing. Chef Steve Brochu will pair five great brews with five delicious courses. Tickets are $95 plus GST, available through eventbrite.ca.
On April 29, food and liquor join forces once more at the Sunday Scotch Club. This time, port is the featured beverage, as participants taste products from the Taylor Fladgate family. The sips will be sampled alongside five small bites. Tickets are $45 through eventbrite.ca. Chartier is at #102, 5012 50 St., Beaumont. is hosting a manners course for children aged seven to 12 on Sunday, April 29, and another session geared to teenagers on Sunday, May 6. Both classes are being held at Bistecca (2345 111 St.), and include a meal (three courses for the kids at $75, and four for the teens at $95). Highlights include tips on cellphone and social media etiquette. For more details and to buy tickets, email info@vipprotocol.ca.
Culinary tours and celebrity chefs are on the agenda as the City of St. Albert and Hole’s Greenhouses host the fifth annual Dig In Horticulinary Festival. Celebrating the food and horticulture of the St. Albert region and sponsored by Averton, the festival runs from May 1 to 6 at the Enjoy Centre (101 Riel Dr.).
Highlights include food tours, on foot or by bike, plus a multicourse, interactive dinner by chef Mary Berg of Gusto TV on Saturday, May 5. Also, a host of St. Albert restaurants will offer Dig In Dining Week specials throughout the festival. For details, visit diginstalberta.ca.
For 27 years, Sorrentino’s has been hosting a Garlic Fest at numerous locations. This year, proceeds from the festival go to Sorrentino’s Compassion House, a residence for women and their families dealing with breast cancer. Garlic Fest runs until May 11, offering a host of special, garlicbased dishes on menus at participating restaurants, as well as the festival’s signature event, the Garlic Festival Cook Off. Another fundraiser, this invites teams of two to pay $250 to create three garlic-based courses April 25. The winner will receive a trip to the world-famous Gilroy Garlic Festival. For more information, visit sorrentinos.com.
Bar Clementine has been named one of the top 10 bars in Canada by the Toronto publishers of Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants. Four Edmonton restaurants were also listed in the magazine’s best 100, including all three of chef Daniel Costa’s eateries. Uccellino was placed at 59, Corso 32 at 52 and Bar Bricco at 45. Biera, located in the Ritchie Market and helmed by chef Christine Sandford, rated most highly of the Edmonton dining spots, making the 32nd spot. See the winners at canadas100best.com.
Our own castle on the riverbank, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, will host a Royal Wedding Viewing Party and Breakfast on Saturday, May 19, as Prince Harry and his fiancee, Meghan Markle, say their wedding vows. The hotel has a couple of offerings for those who would like to take part in this special day, even from across the pond. There will be a guest-room package available on Friday, May 18. Plus, starting at 5 a.m., hotel guests can watch the ceremony over breakfast for $35 (plus tax and tip). Visit the hotel’s website to book or call 780-424-5181.