LAKELAND - The Alberta on the Plate event is coming up this month, and foodies in the Lakeland won’t have to travel very far to enjoy meals grown and served in the region.
Participating establishments in northeastern Alberta include Cold Lake Brewing & Distilling, The Ridge at Kinosoo Ridge Resort in the MD of Bonnyville, and Twisted Fork in St. Paul. The Red Brick in Vermilion is also serving up local flavours during the Aug. 11 to 20 food festival.
Over 100 participating establishments across 27 communities in Alberta make up this year’s Alberta on the Plate festival. In total, 200 farms and producers are being highlighted.
“From the Indigenous peoples who shaped our land to the immigration influences of the French, Ukrainian, Chinese, and Vietnamese, the Alberta terroir is shaped by the people as much as by the land which is reflected in the diversity of the restaurants, food products and culinary creators across Alberta,” said Rheannon Green, Director of Finer Details with Food Tourism Strategies.
The Alberta on the Plate initiative sees participating restaurants offer fixed-price menus highlighting local producers, growers, distillers, and brewers, according to information from the organization. The food festival takes place in conjunction with Alberta Local Food Week and Alberta Open Farm Days.
The program highlights relationships between food service operators and Alberta farmers and producers. It also encourages the creation of a more sustainable local food economy.
“It also connects our consumers with the incredible bounty of products being grown, raised, and processed in Alberta, while supporting the local food and drink establishments that put Alberta on the plate and in the glass every single day,” says Green.
Liz Lavitt is the Food and Beverage Coordinator with the MD of Bonnyville. She says The Ridge at Kinosoo Ridge Resort takes part in the Alberta on the Plate program as a way to encourage other businesses to choose local.
“The Lakeland is surrounded by many producers and farmers, and we hope to keep expanding our list of suppliers, while actively encouraging others to do the same,” says Lavitt.
“Residents, visitors and resort guests can take part in this program by making a reservation or coming to the restaurant during the festival period,” adds Lavitt. The Ridge will be open Aug. 11-13, and Aug. 16-20.
The Ridge is offering a three-course menu for a set price of $65. The first course is charcuterie, featuring Bison coil sausage, assorted cheeses, jerky and pepperoni, vegetables, honey, and fruit, served with olives, nuts, breads, and crackers.
The second course is braised coffee rub Angus Sirloin tip, garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and pan sauce. Wrapping up the meal is the third course – dessert – which is almond honey cake served with vanilla ice cream.
There will also be two options for cocktail drink pairings to go with the meal.
Twisted Fork
Debra Poulin is the executive chef and owner of Twisted Fork in St. Paul.
She says the restaurant, located on St. Paul’s main street, has been involved with the Alberta on the Plate program since 2017, when the restaurant first opened its doors.
This initiative offers nine days of showcasing Alberta locally grown food with different options over and above the regular menu at Twisted Fork.
“This is an opportunity to showcase local farmers, producers and distilleries throughout Alberta," she adds.
This year, Twisted Fork is offering a Next Level Smokey & Spicy Burger with choice of side for $25, and Darlene's Summer Lamb Burger with choice of side, also for $25.
A Buffalo Trail Bison Roast dinner is also on the menu and includes Al’s Carrot Cake, for a total of $35.
“We will be offering suggestions for cocktails, local beer or ciders to complement their meals,” says Poulin.
“This is a great opportunity to promote our local farmers as well as getting our customers to try something new,” she adds.
Cold Lake Brewing & Distilling
At Cold Lake Brewing & Distilling, visitors can enjoy a charcuterie board with raspberries and raspberry compote for the owners’ garden, fresh basil, which is grown at the brewery, gluten-free crackers, homemade hot beer cheese dip, salami, prosciutto and Old School Cheesery assorted cheeses. The charcuterie is paired with Cold Lake Brewing and Distilling Honey Lime Lager. The cost of the drink and snack is $29.
Cold Lake Brewing & Distilling is a small batch brewery as well distillery. There is an upstairs patio that looks onto Cold Lake, as well as a downstairs patio and inside seating. There are 21 different beers on tap, all brewed on site.
