Traveling Cowboys: Small Plates and Big Flavour at the Grande Brunch of Uncorked 2018 in Canmore, Alberta

Nine in a Row

For a town of fourteen thousand people, Canmore has so many restaurant choices that even if we eat at a different one every day, for a month, we still won't be able to try them all.

That is why we love our annual appointment with Andrew Nickerson and his team at Canmore's Uncorked Food Festival. The festival makes it easier to discover and enjoy the best Canmore's dining scene offers - restaurants we didn't know existed and dishes we haven't tried before. When we say the best, we don't only mean the food. We also suggest the people committed to promoting this great destination for culinary's sake. We applaud their effort.

DO YOU YOU WANT YOUR DESTINATION OR BUSINESS FEATURED?

It is our third year of involvement in the event. Spring is always a great time in the mountains. The Uncorked food festival seals the deal for a visit and an appointment with this lovely destination.

Canmore Uncorked is a multiple award-winning food festival that returns each May for eleven days of remarkable dining experiences. It is the opportunity for restaurants of the town to showcase what they have to offer and to entice diners to try something new. For patrons, it is a flavour gauntlet that stretches the imagination and the waistlines. It is a must-do!

One way we make the most of the experience is to attend the Grande Brunch. Nine restaurants come together in one location to offer delicious taster morsels. The newly opened Grande Kitchen and Bar hosted the event this year which took place the first Sunday of the festival.

We tried everything, which proved to be an overly ambitious task. The portions were just enough to entice us to do another visit at participating restaurants. Together, it made for an amazingly delicious and very fulfilling meal.

Observations

Food festivals are for patrons. Patrons come with friends to celebrate, eat, explore, experience, meet and have fun with plates of food, mugs of beer, and glasses of wine. It is a familiar promotional drawcard used by destinations to entice new customers to visit and discover more about local businesses partaking in the celebrations.

Vendors are given an opportunity to reach new customers, fill their restaurants and move their products. It is a great marketing opportunity - when done right. The organizers of food festivals have the delicate balancing act of assuring there is enough variety, volume and value for attendees to make it worthwhile attending, and for participating businesses and the destination to see a return in the short and longer term.

Here in lies the crux of a successful food festival. Participating businesses and the destination, as a whole, must go all-out or risk being relegated to just another irrelevant mee-too food event of which there are far too many already. Businesses should make the most of the chance and strive to out-do each another. Not just each other in town, but other festivals, elsewhere.

We all know that with the demise of Canmore's destination marketing organization the Canmore Uncorked festival was left on shaky ground. Cudos to Andrew and his team for seeing it through and keeping the festival going. Unfortunately, herein lies the problem. We are of the opinion that Canmore's establishments overall are still not getting that this is their opportunity. It should not be just an event that continues. It should be the pinnacle food event in the Rocky Mountains!

In 2018, a few die-hard businesses and some newcomers remain committed to the festival's success, and they are reaping some of the potential rewards. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Canmore's food scene remains missing in action, and as a result, the town risks losing the opportunity.

It is no longer the "great" festival it once was. A celebration is not, and should not be for immediate profit or gain. If it was, it would be called a market. A longer perspective and commitment should prevail. The festival is there for the purpose of building marketing and promotional momentum for the times of the year when there isn't a festival. Profit follows from this momentum, and the awareness, excitement and the discovery drawcard it lit in customers. Participating businesses should commit their resources to building momentum like they would have done through any other marketing or promotional effort.

Canmore should be lucky to still have Uncorked. We hope to see it grow again to the grand festival it was once before. Andrew has our commitment and our vote to make it work. Now, all we need is for more of Canmore's food establishments to realize that this is their opportunity and get behind it. We are hopeful that it will happen before it is too late.

Hendrik van Wyk

Uncorked Cowboy

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Photos

Yum, Yum!

Benedict

Andrew

Cupcakes

Traveling Cowboys: Event Highlights for Canmore Uncorked 2017, Alberta, Canada - You Should've Been Here!

Canmore Uncorked Food Festival in the Mountains 2017

This is the second year that we collaborate with Canmore Uncorked (http://www.canmoreuncorked.com).

See the highlights of 12 days of food festivities in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta.

Because many of the business in Canmore support us as sponsors and patrons, we support them in return: http://www.travelingcowboys.com. If you want to see more about them, be a supporter of our cause or follow our travels, then please become a friend on Patreon. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and read our Blog.

Hendrik van Wyk

Travelling Cowboy

See More on Patreon: Click Here

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Here they are:

Highlights!

Launch Party!

Long Table Dinner

Wine Festival

Beer Festival

Whiskey and Spirit Festival

Progressive Amazing Dinner Tour Race

Traveling Cowboys: Getting Ready for 12 Days of Food, Drink and Community at Canmore Uncorked 2017, Alberta, Canada

Canmore Uncorked Food Festival in the Mountains 2017

This is the second year that we collaborate with Canmore Uncorked (http://www.canmoreuncorked.com).

We do it because it is an excellent award winning event that kicks off Spring in the Rocky Mountains every year. It is our opportunity to showcase the fantastic food establishments and producers in the Bow Valley. We celebrate their businesses, and we give you an inside glimpse into what makes Canmore a great place to visit. It is also a food festival, which means we need no further justification for the Two Cowboys & A Camera to show up.

Many of the businesses we showcase during the festival are supporters of our campaign. They are producers, and they help us to encourage more people to make something, establish local businesses, employ locally, build community and shop with each other. All of them are serving the town's folk and collaborate with fellow producers to bring great products to market. For us, it is a success story when a community comes together for a celebration and to mutually support each other. That is why we are at the festival and why we will be bringing you the highlights of the festival.

Because many of the business in Canmore support us as sponsors and patrons, we support them in return: http://www.travelingcowboys.com. If you want to see more about them, be a supporter of our cause or follow our travels, then please become a friend on Patreon. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and read our Blog.

Hendrik van Wyk

Travelling Cowboy

See More on Patreon: Click Here

"For as little as $1/month you will get the inside track on content like this and follow the travels of the Two Cowboys & A Camera. Join here."

Here they are:

Gaucho Brazilian BBQ - Canmore

Canmore Brewing Company

An Edible Life

Murrieta's Bar and Grill

Rave Coffee Canada

RAW Distillery

Valbella Gourmet Foods

Wild Life Distillery

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Cooking Class

Did Someone Say Vodka?

We quickly dropped in for a shot of Vodka at Elana's Cooking Class. It is one of the many fringe events of the Canmore Uncorked Festival.

On the menu was Borscht and Cabbage Rolls, amazing wine, Ukrainian Vodka (which we didn't get to taste) and a hearty dose of fun and laughter. Did I mention that we missed out on the Vodka?

This class took place at the Paintbox Lodge in downtown Canmore.

The Paintbox Lodge is an intimate boutique hotel nestled in the heart of downtown Canmore, owned by Olympic medalist, Sara Renner and World Cup Champion, Thomas Grandi. The Lodge is a reflection of the local champions – relaxed, welcoming and professional.

Their intimate and well equipped kitchen is the venue for cooking classes from some of Canmore's best chefs throughout the year. For this one, it was thanks to Canmore Uncorked that we got to meet Elana and her attentive students.

Elana, previously from Mountain Mercato kicked off her teaching career by showcasing how to cleverly lure in a meatatarian with vegetables on the menu. We thoroughly enjoyed our drop-in. Elana assured me that you are not expected to cook your own food at these classes.  There was a lot of laughter, a great intimate atmosphere, and no more Vodka.

Next time Elana, I bring my own ;-)

Hendrik van Wyk
Aspiring Chef and Vodka Connoisseur

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Photos

The Lodge

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Wine Festival

They All Came

A hot and sunny Saturday afternoon saw more that 600 wine festival attendees at the Canmore Uncorked wine festival. 

There were wines from Bordeaux, New Zealand, Italy, Australia. Local Canadian wines were well represented from as far away as Niagara to the sweet and earthy tones of our own Okanagan from down the road. We sampled from over ninety different wines that included incredible reds, whites, roses, ice wine and sparkling wines. Some tried all ninety, but we won't tell.

The lonely hearts and housewife convention in Banff announced a field trip to Canmore for Saturday. Someone mentioned wine, and before we knew it, a stampede ensued and there was standing room only at the Coast Hotel banquet hall. Some texted their remaining friends in Calgary, and they all rushed to Canmore in time for the second sitting. If the Whisky and Spirits event was a man's event, then we finally stumbled upon the event for the ladies. Gentlemen, take note. This is where she really wanted to be the whole time you were crawling around downtown Canmore looking for a parking spot. 

Andrew Nickerson and team, it was a long twelve days, but it was worth every smell, taste, smile, note, fresh mountain air and great company that you and the great people of Canmore dished up at Canmore Uncorked 2016. There cannot be a better mountain event for celebrating Spring, and this beautiful valley we call home. If we ever thought we can keep our little paradise a secret, I think we've well and truly failed. Canmore arrived on the culinary stage. Now, we can only get bigger.

Thank you for all your efforts! Thank you for everyone that watched and shared our little pleasures showing you around. We are proud to know you.

Hendrik and the other Cowboy

Cowboy News Network

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Photos

Only 20?!

Mine!

Them Too

Pure Joy!

Yes!

We've Found it Ladies!

Happy Place

Only Ninety Wines, Really?

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Quartetto Perfecto!

A Progressive Dinner with Raw Emotion

A perfect night, and another bottle of crisp chablis was Uncorked in the Rocky Mountain town of Canmore, Alberta.

We hit the downtown courtesy of the Canmore Uncorked food festival with twenty good friends and four world-class travelling musicians. Communitea Cafe was the start with a refreshing Vodka and salad (and some tea... I think), while we were serenaded by Quartetto Gelato.

Before we knew it, we were swinging away to Latin rhythms and reciting love poems for lovers long gone, or yet to be found.

The music was a classy touch to another innovative Progressive Dinner Tour from the organizers of this great food festival. Our palates travelled through the wonderful flavours and aroma's of Canmore's best dining establishments, and we were swept away to far away destinations and foreign cultures, by the sweet sounds of the Quartet that beautifully paired their songs with the establishments, meals and wine.

Upstairs at the Hive we were treated to Blake's White Gold cheese, factory ricotta stuffed burrata, Evoolution dill olive oil, fennel crystals, black pyramid salt, radish, Korean chilli and Canmore micro greens. If you weren't wax lyrical after this, you were then given a paint brush and a blank table cloth to express your hidden inner artist. Another cocktail or two had to follow.

This is where it all came undone. The sensory overload of the magnificent elixirs, exquisite food and breathtaking art stirred raw emotions that were amplified by the solo of the Oboe, and accompanied with nostalgic Chello and Violin. Someone shed a tear...

The tour concluded in a ruckus haze where the Buffalo Roam. Another fine night. Thank you Canmore for the privilege to call you home.

Hendrik van Wyk
The Singing Cowboy

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Photos

Tea Time! 

Promise

Focus

Somewhere Out There

Just Call it Blake

My Horse

Chablis

Make Something!

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Progressive Dinners

Get There...

Get there by car, by bus, bike or walk. Whatever you do, get yourself to this year's Canmore Uncorked progressive dinner tours.

Do I hear you ask: "What is a progressive dinner tour?"

Apparently, the whole world knows what it is, especially those familiar with Canmore's amazing food-fest. If you are too embarrassed to ask: It is a marathon eating and drinking experience with four or more restaurants, twenty of your best or new friends, and your preferred mode of transport, all in one fun filled evening.

As if the events of the Canmore Uncorked festival so far have not already offered enough opportunity for excess, now you get a chance to do a whole month's dining out, in one glutinous night of deliciousness.

The kick-off is at a centrally arranged trusty watering hole of the Grizzly Paw Brewery, to oil the wheels literally and figuratively. Let's just say the water bottles were filled for the trek.

Some progressive dinner events you can do by bicycle with two Olympians for motivation and moral support. No need for a fast bike they assured us. A little stamina, and a lot of will, will get you up the hill to the Iron Goat. You need to get there for your beverage break - Vodka on Ice - and more than a snack. While you work off the calories you just amassed, you will have an excuse for three more of these well timed breaks to catch your breath and clear your dietary conscience.

For the lazy, old or tired ones amongst us there is arranged transport by bus. No one mentioned that this was a clever ploy to attract the more beverage inclined members of the party. It worked. The wine flowed and the laughter rung out louder and louder with every stop. The swan song of the evening's indulgence took place at Murietta's on Main Street. I can still not entirely remember what we had for desert, but it was gorgeous!

There is also a walking tour. This one ensures you maximize the time at each establishment and make the most of the excellent company of the group.

As with most things we do at Two Cowboys, we had to test the boundaries. We set ourselves a challenge to cover all the restaurants for the three tours in one night, during three hours of filming. Call it the amazing race. We called it the gallop of pleasure. The people were awesome, the food fantastic, and it made us proud to be part of this wonderful community. Somewhere between all of it, we started on the bus, lost the bike, found a horse and ended up walking home. What a night!

You should be here!

Hendrik van Wyk
Without a horse... Cowboy.

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Photos

This Big!

Yes, Indeed

My Place

Progressive Dinner

Fan

Fantastic

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Beer Festival

Who Let Them In?

I am referring to the folks from Ontario, BC and elsewhere that camped out this afternoon at the Canmore Uncorked Beer Festival at the lovely venue of the Steward Creek Golf Course Club House. Wow, what an event! What a location! What a variety!

Standing room only if you missed it. Twenty tastings. More for the ladies that didn't get their cards clipped (I am not telling...).

Mount Begbie is the only foreign brew for which I will brave BC's deadliest highway in winter. I easily drive the three hours and thirty two minutes in blowing snow and blizzardly conditions to get a case of Tall Timber Ale. It is one of the best. A must stop in Revelstoke. My wife will confirm this craziness that overcomes a big thirst on a Saturday afternoon, after a particularly good Hockey game. Glad they could make it.

I know Big Rock. Nothing beats a "Trad", but you have to realize: I am an underdog-supporting kind of guy. Trad is the king of beers in this province. The Keg in my living room, and my heart belongs to you. The rest can only dream of living up to your heavenly standard of English-style Ale, toasty malt, sweet caramel, nutty flavour, medium creamy carbonation, and mild hop bitterness. I hear music playing when I throw back a pint and realize, this is Alberta. The place of our beer.

Then there is the Bear. Canmore's own brew, Grizzly Paw faced some stiff competition in the room this afternoon. It did well. The way I describe Grizzly Paw to visitors to Canmore is that it is like a brother. He knows you love him. You don't have to tell it to him all the time. It is your go-to-guy when the chips are down. Grizzly after a thirsty round of golf at Steward Creek's famous golf course, or a hard day of pounding ice and powder in the glorious mountains of the Bow Valley. Life cannot get any better.

These were the big ones in the room, but there were many, many more. You should have been there.

Fallen Timber was a pleasant surprise. Mead, Beer, Wine? Who cares. It is just delicious.

How amazing to see so many brewers take an interest in Canmore, and the people of the Uncorked Festival supporting this event so well. We are happy to have you here. Ontario, Colorado, as we say here in the valley. Have a cold one on us! You are always welcome.

Hendrik van Wyk
Roaming Cowboy News Reporter

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Pictures 

Tall Timber

Falling Timber 

Angelic

Well Rested

Our Brew

Cider! Yes, Ma'am

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Whisky and SpiritsFestival

This Is A Grown-up Event

Who would have guessed that you can get so much class and talent into one room for one evening?
Yes, you can indeed. You should have been at the Canmore Uncorked Whisky and Spirits Festival to see, taste and experience it all. Another amazing event for 2016's festivities took place, and we were there for your sake. And what a lovely sake this one was ;-)

We are talking about celebrating the drinks of men, and the talent of Master Distillers from near and far away. There were Whisky, Scotch, Vodka, Gin, Scotch, Rum, Sake. Did I mention Scotch?

The Corner Stone Theatre was the classy venue for this year's grown-ups' event. It certainly is a place familiar with talent considering its one-of-a-kind flexibility for weddings, meetings, conferences or special events like hosting the best whiskies and spirits you can get into one room on a Friday evening in Canmore, Alberta.

We've really travelled this year with tastes from the motherland of distilling (Scotland) to Banff. Yes, Banff has a distillery now. Who would have guessed? So is Turner Valley and some strong contenders from Calgary and Quebec.

Highwood Distillers from High River keeps reminding everyone that they were first (in the world of Alberta) to legally muster the nectar of the gods at the Foothills of the mighty Rocky Mountains. Their Vodka-like Whisky is see-through, with a strong foundation of Oak and Alberta grains. Maybe they know someone upstairs that we don't. It all depends on the serving temperature. Apparently.

Tasting their elixir will revive any old rumrunner gene you may still done in your Alberta veins. The old folk from the turn of the last century will encourage you to question your commitment to oil, and applaud you for joining the new old gold of Alberta distillation, that made this Province famous in the first place. Remember we were distilling in this part of the world long before we were pumping oil. Sign me up for diversification of this economy. Fire up the stills!

Eau Claire Distillery from Turner Valley tempted us again with the long awaited upcoming 2018 release of their first Whisky. Every time we see these folks we remind them that we want to be on the ballot for that auction. I hear it will cost you your right pinky to have a seat at the the table for the first bottle out of those casks.

Enjoy our video. We certainly had fun filming it all. Andrew Nickerson (CEO, Canmore Business and Tourism) and his team found their rhythm. Keep playing the beautiful music of food and drink festival, and the world will follow you to Canmore.

Glad to be part of it.

Hendrik van Wyk
Did I mention Scotch?

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Pictures

The Man! 

Quebec!

Heaven in a Glass

Where they Invented It

A Hard Day's Nigh

Ladies Attended Too

o-CNN: Cowboy News Network - Canmore Uncorked, Long Table Dinner

Many Many Courses Later...

The weather was good. The mountains were beautiful. The sweet aroma of roast pork filled the air as the guests arrived for the pinnacle event of the Canmore Uncorked Festival: The Long Table Dinner. 

You couldn't have asked for a better venue, weather or company at this years dinner. Not one seat was empty. A hundred and fifty guests were treated to more courses than they can remember. Remembering appeared to be the main challenge this year while the wine flowed, the beer was crisp, and the waiters were galloping plates of delicious edible creations to an enormous table in the middle of the road, in downtown Canmore.

The event is usually sold out long before the tickets go on sale. Yes, you heard it right. You need a local to scalp you tickets for this one. 

Canmore Uncorked is about talent, dishes, and superb beverages. The long table dinner never disappoints. Set your watch and calendar for 2017's dinner reservations, and make sure you befriend a Canmorian (or, as some old timers refer to us: "Canmorons") to secure your ticket. Without this treasured relationship, you will be exactly where you are this year. A spectator!

You should be here...

Hendrik

Still Recovering Long Table Dinner Chef (Yes, I made the Gelato for your desert...), and roaming Cowboy News Network Reporter

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Photos

Three Amigos

Looong Table

Just One More Please

Delicious 

See the Wine

Did Someone Say: Gelato?!