During the month of November, the food and culinary industry is blazing away with a variety of planned events, both savoury and imaginative. Check out the ones listed below:
Four courses. Five beers.
Once again 12 Acres Restaurant is offering a specialty four-course dinner created by one of St. Albert’s top chefs. But instead of wine pairings, the courses will be matched with brews courtesy of the Fernie Brewing Company.
Chef Andrew Cerrato-Yeomans and his team start the reception on Monday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. with a pint and platters of hors d’oeuvres that include pretzel bites, house-made sausage and braised empanadas.
By 7:15 guests will be ushered to their tables for four sit-down courses: spicy tomato soup, blueberry glazed chicken thigh, ale-braised lamb shank, and chocolate-caramel bread pudding.
At the start of each course, chefs will discuss the dish selection and Paul Roberts from Fernie Brewing will chat about the beer pairings.
Dress casual. Tickets are $75. 12 Acres is at 8 Mission Ave. To reserve call 780-569-1799.
4th annual Remembrance Day at St. Albert Beer Hunter
As a sincere gift of appreciation for services rendered, the St. Albert Beer Hunter Bar & Grill is offering any veteran or anyone currently serving in the military a free meal on Friday, Nov. 11.
Guests will be offered a choice of six varied options ranging from pizza, fettuccine Alfredo and cheddar burger to a barbecue chicken wrap, donair pocket and a BLT.
“What was amazing last year was that our regular clientele would see them coming in wearing their uniforms, and buy their table a round of drinks. Veterans and the military are not appreciated enough, but on that day they were recognized and it was great to see,” said Beer Hunter marketing coordinator Diandra Schmidt.
To identify personnel, past and present, individuals must wear their uniform or provide military identification.
This special service is offered only on Remembrance Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Beer Hunter is on 386 St. Albert Trail.
Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival
Now enjoying its 15th anniversary, the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival has returned to the Shaw Conference Centre.
Today is the last day of the two-day event with visitors flocking to the Grand Tasting Hall to enjoy a distinguished collection of wines from around the world.
In addition, there are premium spirits, single malt, blended scotches, ports specialty liqueurs as well as import and micro-brewed beers.
Guests can pair beverages with a selection of nibblers from local restaurants, hotels and food purveyors. Samples range from value-based to ultra-exclusive.
Regular online entrance tickets are $32 and front of line is $37. Sampling coupons are 50 cents and are available in the Grand Tasting Hall.
The festival runs from Saturday, Nov. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hole’s holiday workshops
Christmas celebrations are just a few weeks away. Hole’s is offering a series of free how-to workshops on Saturday, Nov. 19 that will help people get a fresh-start and avoid last-minute stress.
At 1 p.m. certified florist Dana Sabotilova demonstrates how to make a table centrepiece followed by a 1:30 p.m. session with Glasshouse Bistro Master Chef Enrique Toledo making Lois Hole’s favourite holiday recipes.
Interior designer Joyce Madole reveals tips to stunning tree decorating at 2 p.m. and Dana Sabotilova returns at 2:30 to present a how to decorate a wreath.
To register call 780-419-6800.
Gingerbread-building competition is on
The St. Albert Chamber of Commerce invites all local businesses to jump into the holiday spirit by joining the 4th annual Gingerbread Building Competition.
“It’s one of the fun aspects of the holidays. Everyone can join the creative process and come out with a beautiful creation. And you get to eat a couple of guilt-free candies along the way,” laughs chamber event manager Lori Pratt.
The gingerbread house base should be no larger than two feet by two feet. There is no height restriction.
“It just has to fit through the door.”
Both edible and non-edible items can be used as decorations, however the structure must be gingerbread.
Bakers need to reserve a spot in the contest by registering with the chamber by Monday, Nov. 14.
Creations need to be delivered to St. Albert Place on Friday, Nov. 25 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Visitors to the Snowflake Festival that night will vote for the top three from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The top three finalists will remain on display at St. Albert Place until Friday, Dec. 2. The public will have a second chance to rank the three finalists in first, second and third place. The people’s choice winner will be announced on the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce website.
The winning business receives two weeks of free advertising on either the north or south digital sign on St. Albert Trail and a golf travel bag donated by the St. Albert Gazette.
To register call 780-458-2833 or email [email protected].
