This summer at Canadian Cookbooks, we’re exploring culinary travel throughout our great country. Alberta is a must on any foodie’s list to discover local and regional cuisine. And what easier way to do that but to tuck this book under your arm and use the experts’ knowledge of their province: Karen Anderson and Matilde Sanchez-Turri.
We review Karen’s other book, A Spicy Touch in our Book Review section…it’s an amazing peek into Indian cuisine! Karen is also the owner of Alberta Food Tours where she provides hand-picked culinary locations to excite all adventurous food lovers. https://albertafoodtours.ca
Matilde is as Albertan as they come…raised in Claresholm and on a farm near Nanton, now living in Calgary, she worked at Alberta Food Tours and is now a corporate communications professional. When you put these two ladies together you get an award-winning book that was shortlisted for a Taste Canada Award and the winner of a Gourmand World Cookbook Award in Canada. Pick up a copy of the book at https://alberta-food-tours.myshopify.com/ and discover food artisans throughout the province that create amazing food for your table.
Along with some ideas from the book we also explore these culinary experiences:
Having worked in Jasper for a summer, I know the drive between Edmonton and the beautiful town of Jasper is spectacular. With Alberta Food Tours, you can now make that trip a culinary adventure with their self-guided food tour at Alberta Food Finder: Self-Guided Road Trip | Alberta Food Tours – many stops are outlined in the book so you can read about your many discoveries. It’s worth the drive!
Immerse yourself in Indigenous flavours from Chef Brad Lazarenko in both Edmonton and Métis Crossing. You’ll enjoy authentic dishes with a modern spin using local suppliers for the freshest ingredients. History and food on one plate. Métis Chef Explores Roots of Indigenous Food in Canada | Canada’s Alberta
Alberta boasts of dinosaur parks with both https://tyrrellmuseum.com/ in Drumheller but also the lesser known but equally impressive Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley, just west of Grande Prairie. You’ll find both adventures for dinosaur lovers but also Cafe on 43 of yummy delights with archeological names. Fun for the whole family!
Alberta Food Tours take you to many interesting places and each one is a distinct experience. If you find yourself in Banff, you’ll notice the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel towering over the town. Within the walls of this grand hotel are many food and wine destinations in themselves…Alberta Food Tours will ensure you taste the best they have to offer, hear the back stories from the chefs and learn the historical significance of the hotel.
Just southeast of Calgary, make your way to this farm: Poplar Bluff Organics in Carseland. Pick up organic vegetables and juices from their farm store and then check out their Recipes page for inspiration. That’s farm fresh!
Southwest of Okotoks, drive to Turner Valley where you can sign up for a Prohibition Experience: The Speakeasy at Eau Claire Distillery. Travel back in time when imbibing was a no-no but people still managed to find their alcohol of choice! You’ll enjoy drinks and lots of stories from an era of sneaking sips.
Keep heading south to Lethbridge and immerse yourself in some Japanese traditions at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden where you can take part in a private tea ceremony, picnic in the garden, gin & juniper tastings or charcuterie in the garden.
At the back of the book, the authors provide us with a few recipes that you’ll want to try…go to our Recipe section for Cedar-Planked Roast Beef that will melt in your mouth…another perfect way to enjoy the great barbecue season!
Excerpted from Food Artisans of Alberta by Karen Anderson and Matilde Sanchez-Turri. Copyright © 202018 by Karen Anderson and Matilde Sanchez-Turri. Reprinted with permission of TouchWood Editions. https://www.touchwoodeditions.com/book/food-artisans-of-alberta/