by CJ Katz, Publisher
OTTAWA - The earth roared. Cups and saucers and teapots rattled. The Parliament Buildings were evacuated. And the needle on the Richter Scale bounced to 5.0.

Whether you believe the Ottawa earthquake this week was serendipity, divine intervention, or just plain karma, the course of Canadian gastronomy shifted dramatically to a higher plane when Governor General Michaëlle Jean presented the very first awards honouring Canadians who have made significant contributions to what is on your dinner plate.

The new award, aptly named In Celebration of the Nation’s Table, recognized 14 Canadians who have in one way or another deeply changed our connection with our food and have inspired us to think differently about what we eat, what we buy, and what we drink. These individuals have, in very personal ways, through their passion for what links us together as Canadians, inspired, taught and delighted us.

After four years of cross-Canada consultation with people working in all aspects of the Canadian food industry, six awards were created based on values rather than sales figures or tasting notes or competition medals or critic’s reviews. The award honours creativity and innovation; education and awareness; leadership; mentorship and inspiration; stewardship and sustainability; and youth.

0 Comments CJ Katz submitted 72 days ago

 by CJ Katz, Publisher

One thing that is outstanding about Saskatchewan is the giving spirit. If someone were to ask me one defining characteristic, it would be the desire to give. And this province gives big.

I know this article is not food related but one of Saskatchewan's own - Mandi Schwartz of Wilcox - is in desperate need of your assistance - and it takes just a few minutes of your time. 

Mandy a rising superstar in hockey has leukemia and desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. She has only 35 days left to find a perfect match. Everyone is praying that she stays healthy until that transplant happens. She is at home in Wilcox right now resting after a difficult bout of chemo.

It has been extremely difficult to find a perfect match for Mandi because of her Ukrainian-Russian-German descent. Currently there is a worldwide search on for a perfect match with no success. Are you the perfect match? 

If you're between 17 and 50 years of age, please consider attending one of the bone marrow drives in Regina and Saskatoon. It takes just 10 minutes, including answering a few questions and a quick swab of your mouth.

Here is some info on the bone marrow drives:

• Saskatoon - this Saturday and Sunday June 19 & 20 on 23rd St. between 3rd and 4th Ave.and will be open from 8 – 6 pm. A large tent will be set up beside the 4 on 4 street hockey tournament that will be going on (the street is blocked off).
• Regina - next Saturday and Sunday June 26 & 27 at 13th Avenue between Robinson and Angus Streets from 8-6 pm both days .
• If you cannot attend in person then we pray you will proceed with ordering a swab kit from their web site at www.onematch.ca. It is very simple and straightforward.

Here is a short video produced by ESPN on Mandi Schwartz. Her story follows the short Johnny Walker commercial.

 

0 Comments CJ Katz submitted 80 days ago

by CJ Katz, Publisher
The Olympics in Vancouver brought this country together like no other event. It sure felt good to be a Canadian, didn’t it? I, like many other Canucks, sat evening after evening at my coffee table, eating my supper, drinking my wine, and glued to every event. I was excited and proud of each Olympian who competed. And when the last goal was scored, I screamed for joy as Canada showed the world that we indeed, did own the Gold Medal podium. And so, a new chapter of Canadian pride began.

And a new chapter is beginning in Saskatchewan with an invitation earlier this year inviting our province to be part of an exciting celebration – Gold Medal Plates – a spectacular evening that brings together our very best Saskatchewan chefs and Canada’s top Olympians and Paralympians.

Gold Medal Plates is unlike any event the province has ever experienced, except perhaps winning the Grey Cup! It ranks among the top culinary events in the country and you are invited to attend. Some of you may have seen the Gold Medal Plates show on television.
0 Comments CJ Katz submitted 87 days ago

by CJ Katz
SASKATOON – It’s a “here tonight, gone during the day” sort of concept. A ‘Pop-Up’ restaurant - popular in the UK where restaurants will literally ‘pop-up’ during a defined period of time, like over the Christmas season, during a festival, or even inside a family home. It’s probably the most economical way to run a restaurant, not to mention, show off your talented culinary skills without being married to the place for years and worrying about whether your new ‘spouse’ will drive you to bankruptcy!
2 Comments CJ Katz submitted 95 days ago