Flavourful Saskatoon, April 30, 2012

Foodie news and events in and around Saskatoon – an edible alphabet, German wine, a farmers’ market in Hafford, Chef Jenni Rinnovo, and more

Foodshed, May 3 & 10
dee Hobsbawn-Smith and Dave Margoshes will be reading from their newest books on Thursday, May 3, at 7:30 pm at Atlantis Coffee, Regina, and on Thursday, May 10, at 7:30 pm at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon.

Foodshed: An Edible Alberta Alphabet by dee Hobsbawn-Smith introduces readers to 75 of Alberta’s farmers and producers, from asparagus growers to zizania cultivators. Hobsbawn-Smith, a chef and slow food advocate, also discusses some of the issues faced by modern farmers.

Foodshed is an important addition to the discussion around local food. I am so pleased that dee now lives near Saskatoon and will be lending a hand in establishing a Slow Food convivium in Saskatoon.

A Book of Great Worth by Dave Margoshes is a collection of scenes set among the Jewish community of inter-war New York City.

Friday Lunch Buffets, Saskatoon Farmers’ Market
The Friday lunch buffets offered by Garlic Guru and Riverbend Plantation at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market are back starting May 4. The full menu is available on the Garlic Guru’s website, but they promise lots of options for both vegetarians and carnivores.

Winemaker Dinner, May 26
Saskatoon POW City Kinsmen is hosting a winemaker dinner with German winemaker, Johannes Selbach, on Saturday, May 26, at the Prairieland Exhibition Park. Johannes will speak briefly to each of his wines, which include 3 different Rieslings and a Pinot Blanc (distributed by Doug Reichel of Fine Wines Sask). Tickets are available online from Picatic.

The Selbach Riesling Spatlese was a huge hit at Axon Development Corporation’s wine tasting last year.

Fresh at SaskMade Marketplace
SaskMade Marketplace is now carrying fresh produce. They currently have fresh cucumbers, green peppers, salad mix, arugula, basil, dill, cilantro and sorrel. And soon we can expect fresh fiddleheads and wild mushrooms.

Hafford Farmers’ Market
If you live near Hafford, you will be delighted to learn that the Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve is organizing a weekly community farmers’ market at the Ukrainian National Hall in Hafford. It will be held one Saturday a month from 10 am to 5 pm (June 9, July 7, August 18, September 8, October 6).

Everybody is invited to participate with fresh garden produce, jams and preserves, eggs, honey, baked goods, or art. Contact Rachel to register (549-4060, rturnquist@redberrylake.ca).

Chef Jenni – Rinnovo
If you were looking for great food in rural Saskatchewan, New Ground Café in Birch Hills was the place to go. Chef Jenni served creative dishes prepared from local, seasonal food. The restaurant is now closed, and Chef Jenni is focusing on catering, speaking, writing and a series of 12 food, music and art events to be held in unique venues across Saskatchewan from April to December 2012.

May 26 – Hazeldell Community Hall (across the river from Prince Albert) – a 3-course meal infused with spring’s earliest offerings

June 16 – Kerry Vickar Centre, Melfort – all things rhubarb (plus Saskatoon’s own Carrie Catherine)

The tour will also visit La Ronge, Saskatoon, Waskesiu, Bruno, and Regina. Events will be posted on Chef Jenni’s website.

Processing SK Fruit
The Food Centre has received provincial funding for juice processing equipment to provide further opportunities for the Saskatchewan fruit industry.

Bringing Eat Alberta to Saskatoon
Edmonton bloggers and local food enthusiasts organized the second annual Eat Alberta conference on April 14. It sounds like it was a huge success (here's one account on Only Here for the Food). Over 100 people participated in over 15 different sessions, ranging from cheesemaking and knife skills to sourdough breadmaking and spring rolls.

Calgary Eats!, organized by the Calgary Food Committee, was a one-day event with speakers and display booths designed to promote local food and share ideas on building a sustainable food system. Approximately 1000 people participated.

Contact me (penny@axonsoft.com) if you would be interested in organizing a similar event in Saskatoon.

Food Trucks
Food trucks are clean and they don’t take business away from restaurants – Toronto shows us how it can be done in Saskatoon.

Carrots and Politics
Carrots used to be purple, yellow and white. Then politics got in the way, and the Dutch started promoting orange carrots in honour of their ruler, William of Orange.

Slow Food Canada Here I Come! 
I leave on Wednesday, May 2, for the Slow Food Canada national meeting in Edmonton. I am super excited about this opportunity to meet other slow food advocates.

My thanks again to my four sponsors: DayBreak Mill, Earth Bound Bakery, Loiselle Organic Family Farm, and my Mystery Sponsor (Don't you wonder who they are? I hope to fill you in shortly!).

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook where I’ll be posting photographs from the farm tour, the market tour, the gala dinners, and more.

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