Food Day Canada - Celebrating Canadian Food

Deane House, Calgary

It’s been just over a year since Sal Howell of the renowned River Cafe and her tireless team opened Deane House at the confluence of the two rivers that define the early history of Calgary. The Bow and the Elbow were a traditional meeting place for the First Nations communities and it was at this watery crossroad that Fort Calgary was constructed in 1875 by the Northwest Mounted Police. The community sprang up around the fort clustering along the banks. It was a multi year dream punctuated by a major flood that hit all the national media and countless delays that would cause other less-determined people to simply walk away, but Ms. Howell is not faint of heart. The results of the restoration, the haunting of Prairie antique outlets, the honing of the menus to source the best local ingredients is something for which all Albertans can be mightily proud. Today this region is known as Inglewood and it has some of the oldest architecture in this hyper-modern Prairie city. It’s also one of the most vital culinary communities and is home to Rouge and Knifewear, a must-visit shop for any chef. The culinary philosophy of Deane House, as with River Café, is deeply rooted in sustainability. Decision-making around all aspects of operations is governed by a commitment to championing local food economies. “How can we lessen our food-print / foot-print? How local can we be? These are the questions we ask ourselves,” says Howell. One answer is found in the edible garden planted on the grounds, and in their support of other urban gardening initiatives. Long-standing partnerships with organizations such as Ocean Wise, which promote sustainable seafood choices are also important. “Environmentally-driven practices are not always obvious to diners, and often cost more, but we continue to devote our time and resources to these efforts,” explains Howell. “We do everything in our power to conserve on water and energy, which dictates things like what equipment we purchase, to when we turn on the lights in the dining room.” But it’s the food that will make this restaurant one of the real north stars in Canadian dining. Chef Chris Barton, a born and bred Calgarian, graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (S.A.I.T.) one of Canada’s most highly regarded culinary schools. He headed to Europe to work in several Michelin-starred restaurants before coming home. His food has always been exceedingly ingredient-centric and goodness knows, Alberta overflows with some of the most interesting foods on the continent. A lovely example (at left) is the poached Alberta Trout with crispy sunchokes, pickled cucumber, and dill. The trout are raised by local producer @alberta_trout_inc (formally Allen’s Trout Farm) the only green fish farm in Alberta. Contact Deane House at the number below to reserve a Food Day Canada table. Contactez Deane House directement, au numéro ci-dessous, afin de faire votre Journée des terroirs réservation. Deane House 806 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E1 T: 403-264-0595 Photo Credit (Trout) Marnie...

Fogo Island Inn, Fogo Island, Newfoundland

On June 1st, 2013, Fogo Island Inn opened as a world class destination for ecological and culinary tourism. It is one of a kind in Canada! There’s no where else quite like Fogo Island which is home to Brimstone Head, one of the official four corners of the earth according to the Flat Earth Society. And, as this island is unique, I’ve honestly never met a woman like Zita Cobb, President and chief dream-meister of the Shorefast, the organization that has pulled together the funding and has built the inn. “Fish is why we came here….it’s part of our songs, our stories…it’s part of us.” And fish for Zita, like it is for all Newfoundlanders,is ‘cod’. Just in case we needed to be reminded, she pointed to the wall on which the largest tile mural of a cod is embedded. Inside a modest frame building and her small, passionate staff have created one of the most imposing inns anyone has ever attempted in Canada.She holds forth, as only a Newfoundlander can, with a staccato lecture on her business plans. “Know your markets, know yourself. Resist mediocrity. Have a plan, adjust on the way…” And what a plan! Fogo Island, first settled in the 1680’s and which only got electricity in 1971, sits on the edge of the Labrador current and Iceberg Alley. “It’s the only part of the world where people live with moving ice.” she explains and quickly adds, “We are a sealing people.” And fishing was central to...

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, Nimmo Bay, British Columbia

” E2 = MC Expectations Exceeded = Memories Created. The Murray family’s and tourism’s new, Theory of Hospitality. ” In 1980 the Murray family floated a lodge into from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island to one of the most idyllic locations on the coast of British Columbia stationing it and themselves at the foot of the 5000 foot waterfall for a very practical reason pouring down from Mt. Stephens. They needed a source of hydroelectricity. They installed...

Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec

On the banks of Lake Massawippi, near North Hatley in Quebec’s Eastern Townships (L’Estrie), this inn and the chefs have been harvesting the region and serving it forth for as long as I’ve been writing about it. I published then-Chef Roland Ménard’s recipe in 1990 for lamb tenderloin baked in phyllo pastry and served with a local honey/fresh mint sauce. It would be at home on any 2019 menu. The salade ‘Estrienne’ that we...

Founders House Dining and Drinks, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

The region around Annapolis Royal and Founders House is steeped in very early Canadian history with Fort Anne, Canada’s first administered National Historic Site, within sight. For someone who loves to get a sense of place, the story of Fort Anne is riveting. Over the centuries, the Annapolis Valley became the most important growing region in the Maritimes…renowned for its tree fruits especially apples and now for its spectacular wines. With the arrival of...

Oxbow @ Hotel Arts Kensington, Calgary

On the banks of Calgary’s meandering Bow River, the elegant boutique Hotel Arts Kensington exudes the motto of Relais et Chateaux…comfort, calm and best of all in my books, cuisine. Their new restaurant, Oxbow, fits that respected organization with Canadian members like Langdon Hall, Manoir Hovey The Wickaninnish and Sonora Resort but it also fits the feisty, progressive city of Calgary perfectly. For Food Day Canada 2019, the entire Hotel Arts team brought the “Table to...