Off Menu

Chefs and restaurant reviewers naturally have an awkward relationship at best, and at worst a combative one. Naturally, no chef enjoys being criticised, as nobody in any job would. Even less so when the chef deems the criticisms to be either uninformed or inaccurate. They’ve got a pretty valid point, but they’re kind of damned […]

This week we’re talking about the trials and tribulations of farmers markets with a couple fixtures of the Edmonton farmers market scene. Owen Petersen is owner and head baker at Prairie Mill Bread Company, and veteran of numerous markets including the Southwest Edmonton Farmers Market, and the City Market Downtown, on 104 st. Kirsta Franke […]

The Butcher Shop   The world of butchery can be demanding, but my guests this week, Elyse Chatterton from Tofield Packers, and Corey Meyer from Acme Meat Market make it look easy. These 2 butchers give some insights into their favourite cuts, their dream jobs if they weren’t butchers, and Corey reveals a man-crush on The […]

Pass the Walrus Masala   It’s always exciting when you get to try something new, but imagine a dinner party where every single dish contains something you’d never even imagined eating. That’s Northern Food Night in a nutshell. In this episode, I talk with Steven Cooper, who along with his wife Twyla Campbell created what […]

For many rural Albertans, moonshine has been something to be tight- lipped about for decades, but the opening of Red Cup Distillery in Vegreville has changed all that. Old-timers are coming out of the woodwork to share their own stories of home brew, and owner Robert de Groot graciously sat down with me in this […]

  In this episode, celebrated Canadian chef Dale MacKay gives us some insight into the differences between working for Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Boulud, we talk about learning from “failures”, and he talks about being an unapologetic villain. If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe in the iTunes store and leave a rating […]

The Alberta food scene has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade, with Calgary leading the way with an abundance of top quality independent restaurants. The last few years have seen big strides taken here in Edmonton as well, with the promise of more great things to come. I figured it was time […]

Tipping is such a contentious topic, with plenty of points to be made either pro or con. To sort things out, I enlisted Garner Beggs, co-owner of Edmonton’s highly acclaimed Duchess Bake Shop, and Kelsey Johnson, kitchen manager and co-owner (along with the Duchess owners) of an upcoming breakfast spot yet to be named. Kelsey […]

Chef Robin Wasicuna is passionate about food and his home city of Yellowknife. That comes across in spades during our conversation for this episode of Off Menu. I chatted with Robin about his experience as a competitor on the Food Network show Chopped Canada, and we delve headfirst into one of my favourite topics- burgers. […]

The long awaited opening of Prairie Noodle Shop has finally happened, and I sat down recently with one of the owners, Arden Tse, to chat about their Prairie inspired ramen. You’ll learn a little about ramen, what makes Prairie Noodle Shop different, and we chat a little about the dreaded online reviews.   Prairie Noodle […]

This episode I chat with Mark Bellows and Ryan Brodziak of The Local Omnivore about their departure from the food truck world, and impending entry into the full-fledged restaurant business. You’ll also hear about how The Local Omnivore owes it’s beginnings to of all things, dim sum. Their new restaurant will be opening any day […]

  This episode is the first Food Forum; every fifth episode of Off Menu will bring together some of the finest food writers, chefs, and food fanatics in Edmonton and beyond to discuss new restaurants, trends, or food news of the moment. My guests on this first Food Forum are 2 pillars of the Edmonton […]

Today’s guest on Off Menu is Guelph, Ontario cookbook author, professional home economist and food network pioneer, Emily Richards. Emily was in town to promote her new cookbook, Per La Famiglia and was kind enough to sit down with me before heading to Jasper Park Lodge for Christmas in November.   Show Notes: The wine […]

On today’s episode of Off Menu, I talk with Shannon Ruzicka of Nature’s Green Acres. Shannon talks about the benefits of eating grass-fed, her first couple months of living off the land, and her pin-up boy husband, Danny.     Show Notes: Nature’s Green Acres Twitter Facebook Instagram Shannon’s Shoutouts: Tzin Wine and Tapas RGE […]

In today’s Off Menu podcast, I talk with Jacqueline Jacek, the force behind Jacek Chocolate Couture. Jacqueline’s passion for spreading joy is not just an idle philosophy, but is evident in everything she does. Show notes: Jacek Chocolate locations Credo Coffee RGE RD Corso 32 Duchess Bake Shop The Dish Bistro         […]

  In this premiere episode of the Off Menu Podcast, I chat with Ben Chalmers, chef and partner of Edmonton’s Corso 32. We talk about Ben’s role at the restaurant, some of his favourite places to eat, and of course pasta. Ben even gives us some tips on how to make the best pasta at […]