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Culinary expedition explores Canadian food

A cross-section of Canada will be put on a plate and served at the Cornerstone Dining Room at Red Deer College.
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Red Deer College Hospitality Tourism Management students Taya Van der Vlis

A cross-section of Canada will be put on a plate and served at the Cornerstone Dining Room at Red Deer College.

The second annual Trans Canada Trail Culinary Expedition, made and served by students in the Red Deer College Tourism and Hospitality Management Program, includes menu items showcasing different elements of Canadian food.

“We most certainly try to grab a lot of different food, something unique so people are going to remember it,” said Ben Braun, a student in the program and the front of house manager for the event.

“Like the smoked salmon perogy, putting a twist on a regular item.”

Among the 12 menu items are: mini Montreal smoked meat panini with Canadian grain mustard, saskatoon pie with whisky ice cream, smoked Winnipeg goldeye and Fanny Bay oyster fritters, urban lavender s’mores and a roasted Alberta beef tenderloin with bannock blueberry compote.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go towards the Trans Canada Trail.

Bob Van Someren, hospitality and tourism management program chairperson, said the benefit of holding an event like the culinary expedition is two-fold. The experience of interacting with the public and promoting tourism within Central Alberta.

“The Trans Canada Trail is very prominent in Red Deer and throughout Central Alberta and it’s just such a legacy for all Canadians,” said Van Someren. “We see this as a great partnership with our department, with the college and with a significant community group in the Trans Canada Trail.”

The fundraising goal would be to generate enough of a donation to have the Red Deer College Tourism and Hospitality Management Program be recognized in one of the Trans Canada Trail’s virtual kiosks.

The Trans Canada Trail will span over 22,000 kms when it is completed in 2017. Van Someren said the trail is important to the tourism and hospitality industry.

“The Legacy Trail in Canmore and Banff is a great example, where 90,000 people a month go on that trail during the peak season,” said Van Someren. “If you just drive by there you see how well it is serving Canadians and visitors to Canada.”

Braun’s eventual goal is to open a restaurant and he knows to get there he’ll need to get his foot in the door after he graduates through experiences like the culinary expedition.

“As a student in a management program, it really helps to get your bearings on how you’re going to manage people later on in your life,” said Braun. “It really gives you that kick above the rest of the crowd.”

Van Someren said the last event was a success as all 100 tickets that were available were sold. This time they have increased the number of tickets available to 150, and a sellout is anticipated again.

“It was lively, it was fun, it was incredible,” said Van Someren.

“The students loved it, they get to interact with guests and it’s not a formal setting and yet it’s fun and the customer service the students present always impresses myself and my colleagues here in our department.”

The culinary expedition will take place on Oct. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Cornerstone Dining Room at Red Deer College. Tickets cost $65 and are all inclusive. For tickets and more information call Nicole Walliser at 403-357-3665, or by email nicole.walliser@rdc.ab.ca.

mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com