Tag: Edmonton Food

A Taste of Canadian Derby

A Taste of Canadian Derby

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The Canadian Derby has been the foremost social and fashion event of the season in Edmonton since 1957.  This is a chance for the ladies to display beautiful hats and fascinators. When I think of “Derby”, images of Julia Roberts dressed for the Kentucky Derby dance through my imagination.

Some Derby Trivia; this event is considered to be a “marathon” for the horses at 1 and 3/8 miles.  Only three year old horses are entered into the race.  It is the largest purse west of Ontario at $200,000.

Besides the racing and fashion, there is also the food.

This year, the 84th Canadian Derby will take place on August 17th.  The lucky folks who purchased tickets for the Colours Dining experience will be able to indulge in some very tasty meal options while they watch the races from their tiered restaurant seating.

For $130 you get:

• A delicious three-course meal including non-alcoholic beverages
• Complimentary commemorative Canadian Derby race program
• Television monitors on every table
• Live entertainment
• Contest entry to win a new car courtesy of Londonderry Dodge/Chrysler

Your menu choices for the Colours Dining Experience are scrumptious.  Chef Chris McMaster has hit it out of the park with this year’s lineup.

For starters:

Roasted Apple and Parsnip Soup with Saffron Petals
Roasted Apple and Parsnip Soup with Saffron Petals

This option wasn’t available at the tasting event, but it did smell divine!

Summer Beet Salad with goat cheese, candied pecans and fresh raspberry tossed in poppy seed dressing
Summer Beet Salad with goat cheese, candied pecans and fresh raspberry tossed in poppy seed dressing

If you read my blog, or my Twitter feed, you know that I am not a huge salad person.  This was very light and refreshing.  The roasted beets went really well with the mix of flavours in the salad.  A big thumbs up for this one.

Crispy Beef Dumpling with cucumber carrot slaw and horseradish dipping sauce
Crispy Beef Dumpling with cucumber carrot slaw and horseradish dipping sauce

I really enjoyed this one as well.  Not the traditional Chinese Potsticker that you would expect. The beef inside is tender and full of flavour.  Pairs very well with the horseradish dipping sauce.

Your choices for Main Course:

Grilled Chicken Breast with mushroom Dauphinoise potato, sweet corn puree, thyme crepe and seasonal vegetables
Grilled Chicken Breast with mushroom Dauphinoise potato, sweet corn puree, thyme crepe and seasonal vegetables

Another pairing of some great flavours.  The Dauphinoise potato was tender and firm.  The sweet corn puree was a lovely partner to the tender chicken.

Slow roasted Alberta Prime Rib with chive mashed potato, seasonal vegetables and Rosemary Jus
Slow roasted Alberta Prime Rib with chive mashed potato, seasonal vegetables and Rosemary Jus

Another teaser that wasn’t available for the tasters but looked and smelled divine.

Dungeness Crab Cakes with butter poached lobster, smoked tomato relish and fresh arugula salad
Dungeness Crab Cakes with butter poached lobster, smoked tomato relish and fresh arugula salad

Who doesn’t enjoy crab AND lobster? The smoked tomato relish was a nice touch.

Roasted garlic Portobello Wellington with balsamic glaze and seasonal vegetables.
Roasted garlic Portobello Wellington with balsamic glaze and seasonal vegetables.

This is the vegetarian main course choice for the event.  Not available for tasting but I think I may have actually enjoyed this one.

And lastly, my favourite, the desserts:

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with poached strawberry and rhubarb
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with poached strawberry and rhubarb

This was my absolute favourite out of all of the options.  I have a friend that is an amazing pastry chef and Panna Cotta is one of her favourites for breakfast.  This is topped with both strawberry and rhubarb, so a nice mixture of sweet and tart.  Vanilla bean is used in the Panna Cotta which is just lovely.

Chunks of brownie folded into bread pudding with salted caramel sauce.
Chunks of brownie folded into bread pudding with salted caramel sauce.

This is a great spin on an old favourite.  Chunks of brownie are folded into a traditional bread pudding recipe.  It is then garnished with salted caramel sauce and real whipped cream.

Phew!  That was a tasting marathon.

The In-Field Hospitality Tent is another option available for guests for the ticket price of $90. The infield presents the most unique setting to watch the Canadian Derby. Once a year guests received the opportunity to dine, lounge and enjoy all of the days exciting thoroughbred racing from the in-field.   You have exclusive access to a relaxing garden setting with lounge chairs on the lawn.

Included:

• Premium lunch buffet with coffee/tea included
• Complimentary commemorative Canadian Derby race program
• Full service cash bar
• Easy access to pari-mutuel tellers and self service terminals to cover all your betting requirements
• Live entertainment between races
• Televisions displaying the races and betting information throughout the Tent and in-field
• Contest entry to win a new car courtesy of Londonderry Dodge/Chrysler

Private box seating is sold out already for this year but is normally available for $100/box.  Boxes seat 4 guests.  Nothing fancy.  Food and drink is available at the grandstand.

There are birthdays, anniversaries, stagettes and a number of other social events being celebrated by attending the Canadian Derby.  This would be a unique way to celebrate a milestone.  It is also your only chance all year to be able to view the race from the in-field.

Many thanks to the Northlands Park team for the tasting event.  It was nice to meet the team and Chef Chris.

**Do you have Twitter?  Follow me @yegfoodie

K-Days is Nigh!

K-Days is Nigh!

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K-Days is something that I always look forward to every year.  Having not grown up in Edmonton, it was a big treat when we came in for the midway and it always brings back happy childhood memories.

K-Days has evolved into so much more than the “deep fried flavour of the year” for me.  This year includes traditional offerings, vegetarian, gluten-free options and local Canadian cuisine.  Only four more sleeps away!

“We’ve taken the traditional fair food lineup, fried it, dipped it in chocolate, sprinkled it with bacon and then fried it again to create a roster of savory, sweet and ooey-gooey goodness. Why not dig in to a deep fried caramel apple pie, Idaho Taco or some Pulled Pork Poutine. If you live on the edge, delve in to our Jalapeño Fudge and a Japanese Hot Dog. For those who prefer the basics, we haven’t forgotten to include mini donuts, corndogs and elephant ears – all with a bit more pizzazz.

This year’s fair food lineup goes gourmet! We are what we eat and if you like to know where your food came from, celebrate all the things that make our country taste great at A Taste of Canada inside the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Here you’ll find a mouth-watering selection of homegrown delicacies, including a wide selection of Canadian beers and wines. With dishes representing four of Canada’s diverse regions—East, West, Prairies and Maritimes—every taste bud will have a chance to be delighted. Lobster rolls, smoked meat, bison sliders and salmon wraps are only a small selection of what you will be able to expect!

Every taste bud gets its due at The Grand’s amazing international food court inside the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Pick almost any flavor and it’ll be there waiting for you in a variety of exciting options – designed to appeal to both adventurous eaters and those who stick to what they like. Take a trip around the globe and choose from Vietnamese, Ukrainian, East Indian Chinese, Italian and more at The Grand!”

They had me at chocolate and bacon!

The K-Days Facebook page has given us some photos to tantalize our tastebuds as well:

Broccoli Cheese Ribbon Fries - A heaping pile of ribbon fries smothered in scrumptious broccoli and cheese and topped with smoky bacon awaits you—the perfect combination of flavours to satisfy your palate. After the first bite, you might not want to share.
Broccoli Cheese Ribbon Fries – A heaping pile of ribbon fries smothered in scrumptious broccoli and cheese and topped with smoky bacon awaits you—the perfect combination of flavours to satisfy your palate. After the first bite, you might not want to share.
Japanese Hot Dog - The classic hot dog gets a tasty Japanese facelift. An Angus Beef hot dog is topped with perfectly sautéed onions, teriyaki sauce, japanese cream sauce, Japanese Nori (Japanese Seaweed) and a hint of wasabi mayo to bring you the juicy delectable Japanese Hot Dog.
Japanese Hot Dog – The classic hot dog gets a tasty Japanese facelift. An Angus Beef hot dog is topped with perfectly sautéed onions, teriyaki sauce, japanese cream sauce, Japanese Nori (Japanese Seaweed) and a hint of wasabi mayo to bring you the juicy delectable Japanese Hot Dog.
The Works Cube Fries - A densely packed cube of perfectly fried curly fries—you might want to share when you see just how many fries there are! As you pick apart this delectable cube topped with chili, cheese, tomato, green onion, sour cream and bacon bits, all you’ll be able to say is “Mmmm.”
The Works Cube Fries – A densely packed cube of perfectly fried curly fries—you might want to share when you see just how many fries there are! As you pick apart this delectable cube topped with chili, cheese, tomato, green onion, sour cream and bacon bits, all you’ll be able to say is “Mmmm.”
Chocolate Bacon Caramel Apple - The sugary sweetness of chocolate and caramel tangos with the smoky addiction of bacon bits. When you bite into this “sweet tooth’s delight,” your taste buds will burst with enlightenment at the combination of sweet and smoky with a ripe crunchy Granny Smith apple on a stick.
Chocolate Bacon Caramel Apple – The sugary sweetness of chocolate and caramel tangos with the smoky addiction of bacon bits. When you bite into this “sweet tooth’s delight,” your taste buds will burst with enlightenment at the combination of sweet and smoky with a ripe crunchy Granny Smith apple on a stick.
Deep Fried Caramel Apple Pie - Just like mom never made! This Deep Fried Caramel Apple Pie is made from homemade pie crust stuffed with tasty apple pie filling and deep-fried until crispy and warm. The pie is then covered with cinnamon sugar, drizzled with caramel sauce and served with vanilla soft serve ice cream for a sweet and savoury experience.
Deep Fried Caramel Apple Pie – Just like mom never made! This Deep Fried Caramel Apple Pie is made from homemade pie crust stuffed with tasty apple pie filling and deep-fried until crispy and warm. The pie is then covered with cinnamon sugar, drizzled with caramel sauce and served with vanilla soft serve ice cream for a sweet and savoury experience.
Chimney Cake - Break through the sweet crunchy coating to discover the soft sumptuous interior of this Hungarian festival treat. A Chimney Cake is made of a milk-based raised dough comprised of vanilla, butter, and sugar and topped with a variety of savory toppings including cinnamon, walnuts, coconuts and chocolate. This sweet dough is rolled around a stainless steel roll and then dipped in sugar which caramelizes as it bakes in a special charcoal oven to yield a delectable sensation.
Chimney Cake – Break through the sweet crunchy coating to discover the soft sumptuous interior of this Hungarian festival treat. A Chimney Cake is made of a milk-based raised dough comprised of vanilla, butter, and sugar and topped with a variety of savory toppings including cinnamon, walnuts, coconuts and chocolate. This sweet dough is rolled around a stainless steel roll and then dipped in sugar which caramelizes as it bakes in a special charcoal oven to yield a delectable sensation.

Now that you are probably drooling a little…

You will have to check back with me and follow me on Twitter (@yegfoodie) and Instagram to get the latest on the many food experiences that await you at K-Days 2013!

In the meantime – check out the other photos and news available on Facebook and on their website:  K-Days Official Website

Happy K-Days Edmonton!

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