Taste of Winterlude - Ottawa

[Ms.Huxtable]

Taste of Winterlude highlights local food in Ottawa region

Top-notch culinary events and special menus from Savour Ottawa member restaurants

OTTAWA, January 23, 2009—This year’s popular Winterlude festival will pay special attention to food from the Ottawa region. Taste of Winterlude will feature a new Walkabout Winter Feast highlighting restaurants in the ByWard Market neighbourhood who are also members of Savour Ottawa, an initiative to promote local food from the Ottawa region. Ten Savour Ottawa restaurants are also participating in Taste of Winterlude from January 29 to February 22, 2009 by offering special table d’hôte menus highlighting local products. And the Urban Element is presenting a hands-on 100-mile cooking class using local foods available in the coldest months of the year.

“We’re ecstatic to work with Taste of Winterlude to highlight products from our great local farmers to both locals and visitors to our region,†says Heather Hossie, Savour Ottawa coordinator. “Our member restaurants are proud to serve local meats, vegetables, cheeses, maple syrup, honey, cranberries, and more.â€

Here’s just some of what’s on offer:

WALKABOUT WINTER FEAST WITH SAVOUR OTTAWA AND TASTE OF WINTERLUDE

Wednesday, February 11, 2009; 5:30 p.m.

Savour Ottawa and Taste of Winterlude present an evening of local, seasonal cuisine with a five-course, wine- or beer-paired meal at some of the ByWard Market’s finest restaurants—Courtyard Restaurant, Restaurant e18hteen, Domus Café, Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro and Murray Street—who are also members of Savour Ottawa and share a commitment to sourcing local food. The evening begins with a reception, and continues as the group strolls from restaurant to restaurant.

$120 per person

Mid-Winter Comfort Classics With a 100-Mile Menu

Wednesday, February 18, 2009; 6:00 p.m.

The Urban Element, 424 Parkdale Avenue

A hands-on cooking class to inspire guests to look beyond the blanket of snow and consider the local foods that can be used even through the coldest months. Chef Susan Jessup’s dedication to local products shines through with a delicious 100-mile menu created specially for this evening. During this casual kitchen party, guests will prepare celeriac remoulade, pork tenderloin with fresh warm applesauce and carrot-beet strata—and for dessert, apple cranberry upside-down cakes with maple whiskey cream.

$95 per person

table d’hôte menus

January 29 – February 22, 2009 (some exceptions may apply)

Chefs in over 55 restaurants in Ottawa-Gatineau have created special prix-fixe menus to be available during Taste of Winterlude. The three-course table d’hôte menus are available for $25, $35, $45 or $65 per person. A full list of restaurants can be found at www.winterlude.gc.ca/taste

Participating Savour Ottawa member restaurants include:

Atelier Restaurant; www.atelierrestaurant.ca

Le Café at the National Arts Centre; www.nac-cna.ca/cafe

Les Fougères; www.fougeres.ca

Beckta Dining and Wine; www.beckta.com

Courtyard Restaurant; www.courtyardrestaurant.com

Murray Street; www.murraystreet.ca

Restaurant e18hteen; www.restaurant18.com

Perspectives (Brookstreet); www.brookstreet.ca/perspectives

101 Café (Crowne Plaza Hotel); www.cpottawa.com/fr/dining_cafe.asp

Capital Dining Room (Delta Hotel); www.deltahotels.com/hotels/hotelinfo.html?categoryId=2&hotelId=14

Taste of Winterlude runs from January 29 to February 22, 2009 and features exclusive prix-fixe menus, fine dining experiences, wine pairings and other culinary delights at the best food service establishments in Ottawa-Gatineau. Organized by the National Capital Commission, Winterlude is one of the world’s great winter festivals. Its 31st edition takes place on weekends between February 6 and 22, 2009. www.winterlude.gc.ca

Savour Ottawa works to develop and promote Ottawa and area as a premier, year-round culinary destination, with robust offerings of local foods and experiences for both locals and visitors to the area. www.savourottawa.ca