There are many things Canmore is known for, from having more dogs than children living in the community to boasting the highest per capita number of Olympians that call it home, but with the second year of Uncorked about to launch, it should be amazing food and libations that make us famous.
Anyone who knows me knows I love everything epicurean, delicious and indulgent and I am proud as a peacock of the food and beverage industry that has grown and thrived in Canmore.
As a local teen, I worked in restaurants. As a university student, I worked in restaurants. As a full-time reporter at the Outlook, I still work in restaurants. I have a favourite dish on every menu and a favourite drink at every bar.
This love of the culinary has only grown with the beginning of Uncorked last year – and yes my waistband tells me I may have overdone it a wee bit.
This year is even more exciting than last, with several super special events that it would be a shame to miss if you are a local foodie like me. And tickets are going fast – the wine and beer festival events are sold out, the long table dinner is sold out and 13 of the 18 progressive dinners are sold out.
Luckily for you, the highlight of the festival, the Culinary Symphony, held on April 13-14 is not yet sold out. This is an event John Gilchrist referred to as a ground-breaking culinary experience. When they say it is a must see, they aren’t kidding. I’m not sure what to expect from an event that pairs food with music, but I am delighted to be one of the first people to experience it.
There are so many things going on for Uncorked, it can be hard to decide where to eat. With so many fixed price menus, I find it hard to choose between all my favourite places. Luckily, there are some restaurants that are doing something extra special for the event.
My tip of the hat has to go to Sage Bistro for stepping up to the challenge of offering something amazing and taking the food festival to another level with Swords and Bubbles.
That’s right, you read it correctly. Todd Kunst at Sage is offering a winemakers dinner with Eric Von Krosigk of Summerhill Pyramid Winery that will feature the sabre and opening bottles of delicious sparkling bubbles with it.
What’s that? Using a sword to open your bottle? It is a real thing that dates back to Napoleon Bonaparte on the battlefield. Spoiler alert – he forgot to sabre his champagne before Waterloo.
Cutting the top off a champagne bottle with a sword is a wonderfully fun thing to do – making you feel like a warrior just a bit and also a totally legal and sane way to use a sword without coming across as a nut bar.
And it is all paired with delicious food on April 7 – so get your tickets now. Kunst is also bringing Tyler Harlton from TH Wines in Summerland B.C. as well as Vincent Tremblay from Domaine Gerard Tremblay of Chablis fame for another pairing dinner with seven courses on April 17. Tremblay is coming from France. That’s right, from France, just for this event.
I think it is exciting to be in Canmore at this time as a member of this industry, as we are at the precipice of a culinary renaissance when it comes to tourism. People travel to eat – culinary tourism is a thing and Canmore is embracing it.
As I look at my festival passport for Uncorked – which are now available – I see so much energy and passion and cooperation between businesses. Food classes at Paintbox Lodge are a great illustration of that. On April 10, for example, John Spear from Le Chocolatier will teach a class on making chocolate; what a great collaboration. That’s just one of the 10 days of classes on offer for Uncorked.
I also have to mention a very special new gastro pub that opened its doors officially this week. Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon may have to be called Where the Tanya Roams Saloon because I’m so excited to have a fancy cocktail bar that also boasts a fantastic selection of wine and beer in a warm, inviting and western themed saloon with a modern twist.
These savvy ladies, Oona Davis and Shelley Young, have transformed the space into an entirely new and stylish location to have a beverage in Canmore.
Having only just opened, their Uncorked offering is their signature cocktail Where the Buffalo Roam bourbon sour, which contains Buffalo Trace bourbon, homemade sage juniper honey syrup, fresh lemon juice and egg whites. The egg gives the drink a foamy finish that once you try it, you won’t want to drink bourbon any other way.
Go to www.canmoreuncorked.ca for more information about special events at almost every local food establishment, fixed price menus and tickets to the Culinary Symphony.
