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Heading into fall with a full heart (and belly)

Two weeks ago, more than 150 people jumped on the Winnipeg Trolley and took a bumpy ride down Burrows Avenue for the Free Press Fall Supper. The vintage shuttle was only one component of an evening fit for a sesquicentennial celebration — and, dear readers, we had a blast.

You might recall, last year’s Fall Supper took place out of town with a menu of local ingredients. This year, we marked the paper’s 150th anniversary with a dinner at the Ukrainian Labour Temple, in the heart of the North End, and a menu inspired by Manitoba recipes.

The Free Press Fall Supper took place at the beautifully refurbished Ukrainian Labour Temple on Pritchard Avenue. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

The Free Press Fall Supper took place at the beautifully refurbished Ukrainian Labour Temple on Pritchard Avenue. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

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Chef Paul Ormand and his catering team from Lola D’s absolutely nailed the food. We asked Paul to come up with a four-course menu based around recipes in the paper’s Homemade. He chef-ified more than a dozen home-cooked recipes for a meal that flowed together seamlessly. I’m still thinking about the pork belly.

Filipino pork belly adobo with candied sweet potatoes, mustard pickles and skillet cornbread from chef Paul Ormond. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Filipino pork belly adobo with candied sweet potatoes, mustard pickles and skillet cornbread from chef Paul Ormond. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

The event was a party for the Free Press’s milestone anniversary and a fundraiser for Harvest Manitoba. All told, we were able to donate roughly $4,500 from ticket and raffle sales to the provincewide food bank network, which serves more than 83,000 people every month. What a great way to wrap up a night full of great food, drinks and conversation.

Thanks to everyone who attended and supported us! After months of planning and preparing, I’m more than ready to hibernate.

 

Eva Wasney, arts reporter

 

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Tasty tidbits

After Deadline is a remarkably versatile brew. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

After Deadline is a remarkably versatile brew. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 18 for the Winnipeg Free Press Sips and Snacks event at Nonsuch Brewing (125 Pacific Ave.), where we will debut our special 150th anniversary beer, After Deadline. Our very own Ben Sigurdson helped brew the Italian grape ale; he’ll be on hand with folks from the brewery to offer a guided tasting journey through three rounds of paired appetizers and beer. Get your tickets here.

A cozy new spot to imbibe is coming to the Exchange District. Rosé Coffee and Wine is set to open soon at 474 Main St., in the revamped home of a former antique store. Fireside Design, a local firm responsible for some of the city’s trendiest new restaurants, has taken inspiration for the bar’s glam interior from “historic vaudeville theaters.”

Best to get one last cup of joe and breakfast/lunch fare from Joy Coffee Bar (3311 Roblin Blvd.) while you can. On their Facebook page, the owners of the Charleswood spot announced they’re moving back to their hometown of Toronto, although they didn’t specify when they’d be closing up shop.

After three years away, it seems Raw: Almond, the winter pop-up restaurant on the river ice at The Forks, is coming back for 2023. Earlier this week Deer + Almond’s Mandel Hitzer, one of the co-founders of Raw: Almond — which pairs local and national/international chefs nightly for an ever-changing menu set in a cutting-edge architectural space — posted that Raw: Almond would be returning, and put out a call for potential chefs to participate.

Details are scarce right now; previous years have seen Raw: Almond set up shop in February.

Recommended fare

Ben: I’m about halfway through the next pick for the Free Press Book Club, Winnipeg author Méira Cook’s novel The Full Catastrophe. Set in Winnipeg, it’s a touching, tender and absolutely charming coming-of-age story about 13-year-old Charlie Minkoff, who was born with intersex traits, and his grandfather Oscar.

When Charlie finds out Oscar never had a bar mitzvah, he sets out to change that. The next Free Press Book Club meeting is Monday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m., so you still have time to grab a copy and get in on the fun.

Eva: October is usually dedicated to horror movies in our house, but we’ve been watching nothing but Alone for the last few weeks. The wilderness survival series, which debuted in 2015 and is available on Prime, is apparently satisfying our seasonal craving for uncomfortable and scary television.

Each season, 10 people are dropped into the woods and tasked with surviving alone for as long as they can.

Homemade

Homemade: Recipes and Stories from Winnipeg and Beyond is a community cookbook celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Free Press. Copies can be ordered online here.

This recipe for Filipino Pork Belly Adobo, submitted by Ron Cantiveros, served as inspiration for the main course at the aforementioned Free Press Fall Supper.

 
 

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Savour Manitoba Spring issue cover featuring colourful mixed drink's on a table.
 

More stories to sink your teeth into

Ben Sigurdson:

Front-page brews

Nonsuch’s gonzo grape ale is a bold type of beer to celebrate Free Press’s 150th anniversary Read More

 

AV Kitching:

Tending to the neighbourhood

Exchange District BIZ executive director sees his job as akin to cultivating a garden Read More

 

Eva Wasney:

Rise and shine

Contestants on The Great Canadian Baking Show more supportive than competitive Read More

 
 
 

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