Salutes and shout outs

Snippets of good news from our everchanging food and beverage scene!

Congratulations to Calgary’s Cōchu Chocolatier, on taking home Gold (Chai Masala Caramel), Silver (Soft Salted Caramel), and Bronze medals (for Peanut Butter), as well as Commendable for “The Jann”, in the UK’s Academy of Chocolate, 2020 global chocolate competition!

Congrats too to SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism on moving up six spots from last year to place 21st in CEOWORLD Magazine and QS World University Rankings for best hospitality and hotel management school in the world —and the only Canadian school to be included in the list!

We all miss dining out at our favourite restaurants, so let’s support Canada #TakeoutDay Wednesdays, and order in. Last month, many restaurateurs saw a significant spike in sales of 20–60 percent on these days, with some selling out. Leduc’s Habaneros Mexican Grill saw sales double from the previous week! Way to go!

SPUD has launched a new Stay Home box program for customers and those in need to receive a reliable food source, faster than ever. First is the #WeApplaud Box, with a baby box, vegetarian staples box, and cleaning box coming soon! Proceeds from the boxes go directly to supply front-line workers and those at risk with discounted or complimentary boxes. Visit stayathome.spud.ca

Imagine ordering a dinner of sushi from Japonais or Dorinku, beef dishes from DOSC, a healthy portion of Seoul Fried Chicken, and wine paired to the meal! This culturally and culinarily diverse group of five Edmonton restaurants have banded together to find ways to keep their people working—their servers are now running deliveries! Visit their websites, and order at hoot.company

Wild Tea Kombucha has launched an online store community of 14 small and local, food and beverage brands, with more coming soon. All at one online hub,

open for take- out

#TogetherYYC

Anne Selmer, Cōchu Chocolatier

wildteakombucha.com/shop, they offer no charge, contact-free delivery within Calgary with a $25 minimum purchase. “It’s just about spreading positivity, and to lift one another up,” they say. Hear hear!

More local Calgary businesses have joined forces to create Project #TogetherYYC— a community-building signage for business windows. Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Lisa Shelley, and Jenifer Rempel, of Urban Productions, have created a series of future-focused and positive signs that tell a story and spread a message of solidarity. The free posters can be accessed at togetheryyc.ca, and downloaded to print on 8.5 x 11" poster paper.

Brewery & The Beast has launched Homeschool Series—step-by-step videos of a cocktail recipe and unique culinary dish hosted by festival chefs and guest bartenders, with proceeds going directly to them and a charity of their choice. $10.00 per session gets you the food and drink recipes in advance, along with a link to the episode, and opportunity for live Q&A. To register, visit 17blackevents.com/homeschool-series

To support those who are keeping us well fed, Tourism Calgary has set up #LoveYYC From Home to highlight the local entrepreneurs that are facing these challenging times head on. Share your favourite acts of compassion using #LoveYYC and tag @TourismCalgary; visitcalgary.com/loveyyc-from-home for a list of contact-free local offerings.

#TogetherYYC

Local food bloggers, Tara and Ken Noland, have released their first e-book, The Best Canning Recipes. With 12 simple recipes (including our fave—quick pickling!) and many tips, this little book will get you started on the canning trail to enjoy all the local produce now becoming available across our province. $7.95 at

noshingwiththenolands.com

Village Brewery has launchedThe Village Sociable Project, an easy way to pay it forward and reach out to people you care about, so no one feels like they’re going through this alone. Spread cheers by sending beers to friends, family, co-workers, or all of them together, at villagebrewery.com