Savour selects

The Competition Heats Up

A new season of Fire Masters debuted on April 16 featuring several Canadians including some well-known faces from Calgary. Tune in to catch local chef and Twitch-channel host John Leung , who is influenced by his Cantonese background and childhood where he learned to cook using glowing red charcoals in a brick pit. Executive chef Kaede Hirooka, who is one half of Respect the Technique, approaches cooking with fire by using all five senses like the sound of wood crackling or the sight of burning coals to indicate it’s time for some sizzle. Andrew Plaza is a self-taught pitmaster who loves cooking over an open flame while blending southern and midwestern flavours. All chefs in this series go head-to-head in each episode, airing on Food Network Canada and STACKTV, for the chance to walk away with $10,000.

Fire Masters Food Network Canada and STACK TV

PETIT DÉ JUNER, BIG FLAVOURS

Next time you're in Canmore, treat yourself to breakfast at Chez François. With traditional Québécois cuisine at the heart of the menu, there's really something for everyone and they have what might be the best French toast we've ever had. We also loved the fruit salad waffle which was a real looker and just as delicious.*

Chez Franç ois 716 Bow Valley Tr., Canmore 403.678.6111 restaurantchezfrancois.com

Pump Up The Jam

Jam’s Diner opened its second location in February taking over Kane’s Harley Diner, which quietly closed its doors last year. “I’d had my eye on this space for a while,” says owner Brad Stefaniuk “But we pretty much went broke before we opened fixing things.” Noticeable changes include less orange and more brick, new floors, and the pool room has been turned into a lounge area to play board games and visit with friends. Stefaniuk is no stranger to working in the industry having worked at the Cactus Club Café, Earls, Midtown Kitchen + Bar and Citizen Brewery, to name a few. He’s now happy creating an atmosphere for chefs to be creative and try new things. Everything is made in-house and items like jam, hot sauce, back bacon and sausage are available for sale. The diner is co-owned with his wife Joni Klaassen, and together this duo hope to keep growing and giving back to their community.*

Jam’s Diner 1209 9th Ave. S.E. 403.452.5174 jamsdiner.ca

Top Dog

What goes around comes around and for Calgary’s favourite hot dog joint, a glow-up to a trendy cocktail bar is just that. Tubby Bar is the rebirth of Tubby Dog , whose 17th Ave. location was an iconic destination for Calgary’s alternative music scene, video gamers and anyone who loved a good hot dog. When leasing issues during the pandemic caused a closure of the well-loved location, owner John Truch took stock and began to reminisce about his days serving free hot dogs to Night Gallery patrons. And so, Tubby Bar was born. The team reimagined the former Starbucks location on 12th Ave. and 8th St. S.W. as a chic mid-century modern lounge with a gorgeous bar as the focal point. Patrons can enjoy a fantastic line-up of local beer and a small-but-lovely wine list along with classic cocktail favourites. On the food menu is, of course, hot dogs with some of Tubby Dog’s favourites. We opted for the A-Bomb with mustard, ketchup, mayo, bacon, potato chips and space cheese (a zesty cheese sauce) drizzled on top. Messy, salty, crunchy and chewy, this is everything a hot dog should be and more. Just like the Gen-Xers who made Tubby Dog an icon, this business has grown up (just a little) and added a touch of refinement while maintaining its rock-and-roll attitude. We’ll be back!

Tubby Bar | 100A, 1210 8th St. S.W. 403.452.1896 | tubbybar.com