Flavourful Saskatoon, February 4, 2013

Terra Madre Night, Feb. 7
Join Slow Food Saskatoon at 7:30 pm, February 7, at Root Down Workers’ Cooperative and explore Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto, the world’s largest food festival, through the photographs and experiences of Bryn Rawlyk and Sharon McDaniel.
Enjoy coffee and dessert from Root Down, sample some funky Italian cheese (Sharon's photograph), and check out the silent auction. Forget about winter and celebrate the world’s best food and drink.

Cherry Valentine Evening, Feb. 14
Students from the Saskatoon School of Horticulture are hosting Cherry Valentine Evening on February 14 in the Masonic Temple with live music and food featuring Saskatchewan-grown cherries as well as signature cocktails with spirits from LB Distillers. Call 931-4769 or email cherryvalentineevening@gmail.com to purchase tickets for $45 each.
The students say, “The Prairie Cherry is one of the greatest fruit crops that we can grow here and we have chosen to honour it by using it a feature product of the evening. Cherries will be the select ingredient featured in the meal, the drinks and of course the decor and prize opportunities.”

d’Lish by Tish Café 
I had breakfast yesterday at the newly-opened d’Lish by Tish Café on 14th Street (the Pacific Gallery’s former location). The large windows, sunshine-yellow walls and paintings by local artists provide a cheerful atmosphere.
There were lots of breakfast options, including fresh-baked banana-chocolate chip muffins, but I went with a bowl of quinoa topped with berries, Greek yogurt, hemp hearts and maple syrup – delicious and super healthy.
There are fresh soups daily (one is always vegetarian), and they serve beer and wine by the glass. I’ll definitely be going back.

Fourth & James, Lumsden 
If you’re on the Regina highway, be sure to detour and visit the Fourth & James Bakery in Lumsden. My brother and his wife stopped by for coffee and scones and gave it top marks.
Shelley says, “The triple-berry scone was light and fluffy, chock-full of berries and had a crisp sugary topping.”

Seabuckthorn Syrup 
Northern Vigor Berries, Saskatoon Farmers’ Market, has a new product – seabuckthorn syrup made with organic cane sugar and locally-grown, organic seabuckthorn purée.

I think it will be perfect for pancakes, but my sister in law has her eye on it for ice cream.

Souleio Grab and Go
Souleio now has a grab and go section with fresh sandwiches made daily, Greek yogurt parfaits, salads and bottled drinks.

Slow Food Reading
Could taste, or more precisely the lack of taste in today’s mass-produced food, be a contributor to the obesity epidemic in America?

Since 2010, Slow Food International has launched 1000 gardens in Africa and raised the funds to complete 700.

David Buchanan, author of Taste, Memory: Forgotten Foods, Lost Flavors, and Why They Matter, discusses the importance of heirloom foods and biodiversity

Flavourful Saskatoon is a weekly Monday feature. I also post regular profiles of culinary entrepreneurs, new restaurants and new food products.

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