Salutes and Shout Outs

More than 70 restaurants took part in this year’s YYC Hot Chocolate Fest in support of Meals on Wheels. Congrats to winners Flower & Wolf for their Honeycomb Hot Chocolate!

Poutine With Purpose is back again from April 23-May 1. What more enjoyable way to support our restaurants and also provide meals to children in need through Mealshare, than by eating poutine! poutinewithpurpose.com.

In the past year, Soup Sisters has delivered fresh soup to over 100,000 people in need. Now you can join in their new Virtual Soup Pot online cooking classes with “souper star” chefs! So clever - for every ticket sold they deliver 1.8 Kg (4 lbs) of fresh, flash-frozen soup to a local shelter to support women and youth in need, and you get to enjoy your soup! soupsisters.org.

We’re welcoming Curtis Cardinal's new indigenous restaurant opened in Edmonton, Tee Pee Treats, at 11725 93 Street NW. Take-out and delivery Tuesdays-Saturdays, with daily specials. teepeetreats.com.

Collaborations make it so easy for us to support local, and now there’s a new foodie collective offering free delivery of gourmet local ingredients. 27 of our favourite Calgary businesses and culinary legends have joined forces under the helm of food entrepreneur, Alexandra Olson, to create Market Basket, with a donation from each order providing meals to children in need. marketbasketyyc.ca.

Looking for a new experience? Then you’ll be blown away by Chakalaka on Calgary’s 17 Avenue SW. Ronnie Mupambwa has mostly been involved in nightclubs and bars, and has now opened a sizzling new tapas and cocktail spot serving up impressive salads, snacks, skewers, and exotic hot stone-cooking. Head Chef Thomas Kagoro creates delicious small dishes from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Italy, and there’s a big cocktail list to match the exciting international flavours (try a $300 Louis XIII cocktail!). Exotic Tuesdays feature meats you may never have eaten before, and don’t miss your own dessert ferris wheel! Come hungry and bring your phone for photos. Open 7 days from 5 pm.

Samantha Pham and Cecilia Baguiwong have realised their dream with their new café Brew+Bloom at 10550 115 St NW, Edmonton. And as well as delicious salads, tartines, pasta, and noodles, all kicked up a notch or three, it’s a floral boutique too. You’ll see flowers in everything, including their dishes, and there’s also a cottoncandy bar! Open 7 days until 5 pm.

As host city for Curling Canada’s Season of Champions and Grand Slam of Curling, Calgary brewers have been busy! For the next three months, look out for O.T. Brewing’s stouts, Elite Brewing’s Brier Berry Cider, and Zero Issue Brewing’s Cyber Hack. And… they’re offering free and paid delivery!

My, how hotel restaurants have changed - the brand new Rendesvouz, in Seton’s Courtyard by Marriott, is eyepopping! From Vintage Group with Jayman Homes, Chef Mike Skarbo and his team are impressing locals and international guests with their contemporary Canadian cuisine and unique cocktails. We tried completely delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, with everything house-made using local ingredients. We’re definitely won over – everything is SO good... And while we may not be dancing in public quite yet, the amazing coloured dance floor will knock your socks off! Open 7 days from 7 am.

Canmore Uncorked is back. It looks a little different this year, but from April 8-22 enjoy mountain dining, shopping, and adventures! canmoreuncorked.com.

Share details of your new hobby, business venture, community project, or other exciting initiative at nandos.ca/win before April 30th for a chance to win a share of

Nando’s $50,000 Sauce of Inspiration Fund!

Wow! Edmonton’s Pitt County BBQ specializes in Eastern North Carolina style Whole Hog BBQ. They bring their mobile pit to you, cook the meat, break it down, and serve it to you and your family. How special is that! pittcountybbq.com.

Southeast Calgary has been a little lean on locally owned eateries, and the Starbelly Group is determined to change that. Alongside their McKenzie Towne Pink Door Pizza ghost kitchen, they’ve opened Calavera Cantina – a bright and spirited, quality, comfort food Mexican restaurant. Chef Mike Westman, of Banff’s El Patio Rooftop Taco, has created a menu with all our favourites: terrific tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, burritos, and a mole with 27 ingredients! There’s also a choice of eight Margaritas, as well as other Mexican cocktails, and happy hour specials. Open 7 days from 11 am.

We’re welcoming Curtis Cardinal's new indigenous restaurant opened in Edmonton, Tee Pee Treats, at 11725 93 Street NW. Open for take-out, delivery and catering Tuesdays-Saturdays, with daily specials. teepeetreats.com.