Flavourful Saskatoon, March 18, 2019


Local Happenings 
Wolf Willow Winery is under new management. The wine will remain the same, but they’re expanding their menu under the direction of Chef Jenni with specially selected local menu items in addition to fresh-made pizzas.

Saskatoon now has two great options when purchasing ready-made pies. Mary from Prairie Pie Company sells a wide range of frozen, ready-to-cook pies at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market. She’s now joined by Trent Loewen, former owner of Earth Bound Bakery, at Scratch Provisions. He’ll be hosting a pop-up restaurant at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market on Mar. 23 - hot savoury pie for breakfast or lunch, dressed with smashed potato, mushy green peas, and extra gravy. Scratch pies can be ordered online for Friday pick-up or delivery. Both companies offer vegetarian pie options.

Food for Thought 
So many food service jobs in North America are filled by students working part-time on a short-term basis. In France, however, you’ll frequently see older servers who treat their job as a career. A photographer has written a book with photographs and interviews of people who have been in the hot food business in London for over 18 years. Manuel de Jesus has been a kitchen porter for over 20 years: “When we’re all together, we’re a kind of family. That’s very, very, very important. And I don’t like change. When you have a good job and boss who you like, you stay.”

“Research has shown that, regardless of where you live, eating closer to a traditional, pre-industrial diet rich in plant foods, fish, unrefined grains and fermented foods, with less meat and highly palatable processed and snack foods, reduces your risk of depression.”

The Guardian newspaper is predicting that banana blossoms will be the next vegan food star. It sounds crazy to me to import banana blossoms from south-east Asia just because its chunky flaky texture makes it an ideal substitute for fish. There are apparently two vegan schools of thought – those of us who look for protein substitutes (lentils, tofu) and those who opt for ingredients that bear a resemblance to meat or fish.


Photos: Collioure, France

Flavourful Saskatoon is a weekly Monday feature. I also post articles about food that is good, clean and fair; travel; and books. You may also enjoy EcoFriendly Sask profiling Saskatchewan nature/environmental initiatives and events. 

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