Foodie tours are popping up in almost every city nowadays — and most give a good sampling of local fares. But for not all provide the opportunity to eat like an insider.
Now that shows like Top Chef have transformed us into a nation of foodies, food tours are popping up in pretty much every major destination. But on a recent trip to Calgary, Alberta Food Tours provided more than a taste of local color — our group got to truly eat like insiders.
We met up with Karen Anderson, who founded Alberta Food Tours in 2006 after a career in healthcare spurred a passion for spreading the word about the connection between food, culture and health, for a guided tour to the most iconic foods of Alberta in two savory and two sweet tastings at four of the city’s coolest venues.
But what we got was so much more than just some amazing nibbles — we also ingested stories of the food, place and culture, and got to connect more deeply with each other through the experience. Yes, the meat-eaters among us got to sample the finest of the area’s beef and bison, but we also feasted on Red Fife wheat, barley, saskatoon berries and the hands-down best hot chocolate I have ever tasted before the tour was done.
At our first stop, Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar in the elegant Fairmont Palliser, Anderson asked us to share memories of hotels that have personal meaning for us, as well as foods that would be considered iconic to where each of us came from. She then connected us with some stories about the hotel and the foods the area is known for. Chef Rupert Garcia created an amazing salad tableside, whose signature Hawthorn Honey Dressing featured local honey vinegar and canola (did you know canola is short for Canadian oil? I did not, nor did I know that Canada is the world’s largest mustard seed grower). We also got to taste a Bloody Caesar, which is kind of like a Bloody Mary but with a distinctive, Calgary flair.
Just a short walk away was our next stop, Annabelle’s Kitchen, where we feasted on amazing pasta, both Bolognese and vegan, and a delicious Montepulciano red wine before waddling off to our next stop, The Chocolate Lab, home of a premier bean-to-bar chocolate maker and the aforementioned unbelievable hot chocolate. The variety of truffles and bonbons, the artistry of the confections and the flavor that burst with every mouthful was, well, I took a boxful home to share but I will shamefully admit that not all made it back to Massachusetts!
Our last stop was for desert at Charcut, which features an assortment of house-cured meats, Alberta prime rib, and lots of veggie options, as well as a yummy deconstructed cheesecake that we managed to devour, even if we were all on a bit of a sugar high from all the chocolates. Founded by Carrie Jackson and acclaimed chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, the menu draws inspiration from Italian and Portuguese traditions while incorporating seasonal, artisanal ingredients, including, in our case, applies from the chef’s own orchard.
In just a couple of hours, we not only got to taste some of the best local restauranteurs had to offer, but we also got the opportunity to learn as Anderson pointed out items of interest as we strolled between foodie stops. One can’t miss is the pedestrian-by-day Stephens Avenue, a designated National Historic Site (more than 30 buildings dating from 1880 to 1930) that is very conveniently accessible to groups holding events at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre — and even in early spring, was a hot spot for outdoor dining for the après-work crowd.
I have been on a few foodie tours, but the Alberta Food Tour was unlike any I had experienced before — and they can connect groups to local cuisine and culture while still accommodating those who require gluten-free, vegetarian, lactose-free diets and those with food allergies. The company welcomes groups from eight to 150 on a walking tour or large group coach tours. Self-guided tours also are available.
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