From the frozen lakes and lands of Alberta to the sunny west coast, to the east and back again, 2019 was a well-travelled year thanks to our most kilometer-full collaboration yet, a culinary tour across Canada with our client, Club House®.

Enjoy this visual recap of the sights and eats and hosts we met along the way.

Stop One: Edmonton

With our chef tour guide of the day Shane Chartrand (SC Restaurant) leading the way, we saw some of his favourite restaurant resources including bison product provider Strawman Farm, produce supplier Mo-Na Foods, the English-inspired eatery London Local, and the seafood squad at Effing Seafood.

Then, we visited the local chefs – Alexei Boldireff of Baijiu, Brayden Kozak of Wishbone and Spencer Thompson of The Marc – together creating some great Club House®-inspired recipes influenced by their own communities. These included Chef Chartrand’s own Salt Roasted Beet Salad with Candied Pistachios and Coconut Cream. More please!

Stop Two: Winnipeg

Our crew then cooled things off in our next destination, Winnipeg, Manitoba, with ice fishing and outdoor gardens exploration with deer + almond’s Chef Mandel Hitzer. From his morning breakfast stop, Luda’s Deli, to the year-round crops of the Sustainable South Osborne Community Co-op to his favourite coffee joint, Little Sister Coffee Maker, micro-greens provider Braman’s Greens and the ice fishing experts of Kristjanson Fish, these were the must-see destinations Chef Hitzer finds defining his Winnipeg.

Upon bidding him a temporary farewell, we visited Chef Jesse Friesen of The Merchant Kitchen, Chef Christa Bruneau-Guenther of Feast Bistro Café, Chef Sean Bernard of Oxbow – and, of course, Chef Hitzer – for some warming eats, like this delicious Sean-approved Falafel Burger.

Stop Three: British Columbia

Ready to shake off the snow, it was time to bounce around beautiful British Columbia, because one city just wouldn’t be enough for our team, or their hunger for flavour.

Who else could we invite to give us the grand tour but top B.C restaurateur Chef Robert Belcham, creator of Campagnolo Restaurant, Monarch Burger and Popina Canteen!

What destinations inspired Chef Belcham? Seafood wholesale masters The Lobster Man, fruit and veggie providers Glorious Organics, good food raisers Coghlan Cottage Farm and family farm + butcher shop Hopcott Meats!

Thanks to the best of the west for their creative recipes and amazing hospitality; that’s you, Chef Scott Jaeger of The Pear Tree Restaurant, Chef Nick Cassettari of Alta Bistro, Chef Alex Chen of Boulevard Kitchen + Oyster Bar and Chef Robert Belcham of Popina Canteen!

We’re still craving more of his Chilled Sidestripe Shrimp with Fennel, Tallow Croutons and Brazilian Spiced Vinaigrette.

Stop Four: Halifax

With only two destinations to go, it was time to hit up the East Coast and eat up all there was to offer in glorious Halifax, Nova Scotia! Meeting up with 2 Doors Down and Chive Canadian Bistro Chef Craig Flinn, we were taken on tours of fresh and frozen provider AshMeg Seafoods, handmade cheesemaker Blue Harbour Cheese, the produce growers of Noggins Farm plus Dartmouth’s Nine Locks Brewing Company.

Halifax meal must-haves included visits with Chef Greg Balingit of The Five Fishermen, Chef Justin Floyd of Avondale Sky Winery (yay wine!), Chef Natalie Rosen of Field Guide and Chef Host Craig Flinn of Chives Canadian Bistro.

You’ve got to try Chef Flinn’s Spiced Scallop, Shrimp and Lobster Cake. It’s Halifax on a plate.

Stop Five: Montreal

Because flavour needs no translation, we were excited to say “Au Revoir” to the tour by saying “Bonjour!” to the Italian culinary community of Montreal, Quebec with help from Impasto Chef and guide of the day Michele Forgione.

Born to share authentic Italian cuisine with the masses, Chef Forgione shared some of his long-time neighbourhood destinations, some of which he’s been visiting since childhood.

These included the signature Montreal bagel maker St-Viateur Bagel, Italian ingredient importer La Baia Dei Formaggi, culinary supply retailer Quincaillerie Dante and steak legend Moishes Steakhouse.

Despite all the bagels and cheese, we still had room for the back of house creations of Le Diplomate’s Chef Aaron Langille, Provisions Restaurant‘s Chefs Hakim Rahal and Pablo Rojas, Arthur’s Nosh Bar‘s Chefs Reagan Steinberg and Alex Cohen plus Chef Forgione’s own to-die-for Cacio e Pepe.

#ChCoast2Coast By The Numbers