CHEF ON THE MOVE
Kundera joins Holts Cafe
Chef Julia Kundera, formerly of Glasshouse Bistro at the Enjoy Centre, has moved to Holts Cafe in Holt Renfrew (10108 101 St.).
The move sees a new menu, plus an invigorated approach to sourcing local.
Pat Batten of Ocean Odyssey Inland will supply the sustainable fish, with duck and eggs coming from Four Whistle Farm, and tomatoes from Gull Valley Greenhouses.
In addition to the eatery’s classics — the Holts burger, the roasted chicken pot pie and the BLT salad — Kundera has introduced some fresh items for the sunny season. There’s an herb-crusted Icelandic char, plus a Caprese salad, as well as a gluten-free brownie and a lemon semifreddo with summer berries.
Get Cooking Edmonton (11050 104 Ave.) is trying something new. The local cooking school and caterer is hosting a pop-up restaurant with summer foods and beer by Yukon Brewing on Friday, June 24. There are two sittings, 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Chef Doreen Prei has three meals on offer — an Alberta Pork Burger with crispy egg yolk ($18), Yukon Beer Marinated Alberta Flank Steak ($22) and Stuffed Branzino ($26, serves two). A $10 deposit is required to book a seat. Visit getcookingedmonton.com
Also, Get Cooking has been chosen as the official caterer for the upcoming Diner En Blanc to be held July 28 at a secret location in Edmonton. For more details, visit edmonton.dinerenblanc.info.
When Todd Rutter started catering in 1991, chicken wings, quesadillas and nachos were the go-to items at A Cappella Catering. The 2000s were heavily influenced by Asian foods, including sushi, satays and spring rolls. These days, a rustic charcuterie and cheese board with an edible flower garnish and handmade truffles grace even the simplest menus.
“Now, local sourcing and whole, non-processed ingredients have become particularly important,” says Rutter as he prepares to host a party to celebrate the company’s silver anniversary.
On Saturday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Westmount Community Centre (10970 127 St.), Rutter invites staff, past and present, to join in an evening of fun and reminiscence. There’s a cash bar, and a band, Pal Joey, will be on hand for dancing.
Rutter began his catering career with a pizza kiosk at the University of Alberta. Today, the company has about 100 full- and part-time staff.
Rutter says between 1,500 and 2,000 people have worked at A Cappella Catering over the years, and while he doesn’t want all of them to show up for the party, he hopes to see lots of old friends.
“We’ve had tons of people who met and subsequently got married at A Cappella and the friendships that have been forged are still going strong. It’s like a evolving community of people. It’s been fun. It’s been a great 25 years.”
The patio at Pampa (9929 109 St.) will be redolent with the scent of charcoal, as the restaurant raises money to support the Fort McMurray Fire Department on Wednesday, June 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chefs will grill Brazilian-style skewers of beef tenderloin, baconwrapped chicken thighs and Parmesan-crusted pork loin over hardwood charcoal for guests. Tickets are $100 a person, and include wine pairings. Call 780756-7030 to reserve.
For 37 years, RoseBowl Pizza (10111 117 St.) has been one of Edmonton’s go-to spots for pizza. Now, it’s closing at the end of the day on Thursday, June 30.
Sam Moukhaiber, owner of the family-run staple, says RoseBowl is moving to a new, as-yet-to-be-determined location which will open in 2017. In the meantime, some RoseBowl Pizza favourites will be available at the family’s sister restaurant, BLVD Supper Club (10765 Jasper Ave.). Moukhaiber says the building has been sold and Chic-Hog-O’s Social House will open there shortly. Chic-Hog-O’s previous location closed in 2015. Follow the RoseBowl move on Twitter @rougerosebowl.