In early August, for 4-5 days, Calgary hosts the international food and drink festival, Taste of Calgary. It is a great opportunity to discover world cuisine at unique local restaurants, shop for items from local artisans, participate in interactive activities, and enjoy music from local talents. Read more about this delicious event below on calgaryski.net.
A Brief History of Alberta’s Cuisine
The history of Alberta is much shorter than, for example, regions like Mexico or Italy, whose cuisine is famous worldwide. However, this doesn’t mean that “The Wild Rose Country” lacks its own regional flavor. Due to Alberta’s diverse climate and landscapes, it boasts a collection of various local tastes.
In 2015, the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance organized the Cook It Raw Alberta program. Local and international chefs traveled through various regions of the province, attempting to form a culinary identity for Alberta. 24 chefs identified 7 signature ingredients from Alberta and, drawing inspiration from cultural influences, created unique dishes that reflect the province’s distinctiveness and culinary diversity. Among these ingredients were beef, bison meat, canola oil, honey, red wheat, root vegetables, and serviceberries.
The most popular dishes and drinks in Alberta include:
- Beef steaks: When Canadians or tourists think of “Alberta food,” beef is usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, cattle were introduced to the province in the second half of the 19th century, brought from Scotland. Most restaurants in Alberta offer incredibly tasty steaks made from this beef, which is often brought from other provinces or even countries, with Alberta only processing it.
- Caesar cocktail: This is a national Canadian drink created in 1969 in Calgary by restaurant manager Walter Chell at Marco’s. If you ask any Calgarian or Albertan about cocktails, they’ll definitely suggest you try a Caesar. And once you do, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most famous cocktails in Canada and the US. The ingredients of a Caesar include vodka, Caesar mix (tomato and clam juice), and Worcestershire sauce. It’s served in a glass with ice sprinkled with celery salt and garnished with olives, celery stalk, and lime.
- Bison meat dishes: Bison roamed across Canada long before humans arrived. Indigenous people and settlers hunted them for meat, and various parts of the animal are considered delicacies.
- Edmonton-style doner: If you’ve heard of doner kebab, you can imagine the taste of Edmonton-style doner, which differs by adding extra breadcrumbs and beef.
- Ginger beef: A wonderful dish found nearly everywhere in Alberta. Ginger beef is a fusion of an ancient Chinese sauce recipe with English beef. The dish was invented in the 1970s in Calgary by George Wong, chef at the Silver Inn restaurant.
- Onion pie: Another variation of a dish in the Chinese style available in many Alberta restaurants. The onion pie consists of bread and green onions, often served with sauce.
- Pirogies: This part of the culture was brought to Alberta by Ukrainian immigrants. Pirogies are a Polish alternative to dumplings, which are also popular in Ukraine. They are made similarly to dumplings, but the filling differs in both dishes.
- Banh Mi: A dish that blends three different cultures. Vietnamese baguettes are made with French baguettes, Vietnamese chili peppers, cucumbers, and English sauces. Many of these vegetables are imported by Vietnamese immigrants living in China, so this dish is mostly found in Vietnamese restaurants.
A Gourmet’s Paradise
At Taste of Calgary, you’ll find Calgary’s gastronomic treasures and unusual dishes from world cuisine, such as lobster rolls, fried quail eggs, and tofu for vegetarians. Visitors can also purchase spices, seasonings, and condiments from well-known culinary countries like Mexico, El Salvador, the Caribbean, Brazil, the Philippines, and India.
Thanks to the combination of international cuisine dishes at unique local restaurants, favorite food trucks, and local companies selling drinks, you can also shop at some of the most interesting shopping spots in the city, all in one place. The festival is not limited to food; it also features local craft beers.
Participation in Taste of Calgary is free, but so-called “tasting tickets” cost $1 each, and the cost of each dish ranges from 2 to 7 tickets (as of 2023). It is recommended to purchase them in advance to avoid waiting in line on the day of the festival. It’s a great opportunity to sample a lot of food at a low price, and then buy what you like in larger quantities.
By the way, since tasting requires the use of a large amount of disposable tableware, the event organizers turn the food-safe utensils into compost to reduce the environmental impact.
A Lot of Entertainment
In addition to the opportunity to taste food and drinks from various local companies, you’ll also enjoy live performances, attend interactive events, and check out booths from artists and entrepreneurs in the city. While savoring various dishes and drinks, you’ll enjoy musical entertainment from the stage. Isn’t that great?
The festival helps build a community where artisans, entrepreneurs, musical talents, and interactive event organizers come together to unite patrons.
What Other Food Festivals Take Place in the Summer?
Taste of Calgary is not the only food festival in Calgary that takes place during the summer. For example, in mid-June, the Halal Ribfest is dedicated to halal meat. Head to the festival stop in Calgary to enjoy dishes like brisket, beef ribs, and smoked chicken, while enjoying live performances, markets, and more.
In 2022, Calgary Meals on Wheels launched the YYC Summer Scoop Fest to let Calgarians try unique ice cream at local restaurants. Part of the proceeds goes to purchasing healthy and nutritious food for those in need.
In early July, the Latin American Folklore Society organizes Mexifest, a three-day multicultural festival celebrating Mexican cuisine, dance shows, and orchestra performances, along with a craft market and professional wrestling in the Mexican national style, Lucha Libre.
In the hottest days of summer, at the end of July, Fiestaval transforms downtown Calgary into a celebration of Latin America. This three-day festival features over 30 vendors selling authentic food, hundreds of national and international performers, a craft market, kids’ areas, beer gardens, and plenty of entertainment.
Another must-visit food festival takes place in mid- or late-August – Barley & Smoke. At the event, you’ll find local beers and barbecue competitions. Plus, by purchasing a ticket, you’ll get to taste grilled dishes, play games on the large lawn, enjoy live music, and participate in raffles and prize draws. The funds raised from ticket sales go to charity.