Events at Devonshire Tea House!

• March 29, April 26, May 31….FREE tea tasting from 2 to 4pm. Sample 5 various teas, and complimentary munchies. Book now to reserve your spot! Only 30 seats available….seats go fast!


• Bakery Launch, Sat. April 5th. 11-noon. Specials. Free Butter Tarts!


• Teddy Bear PicnicSaturday April 19 10 - 11 a.m.Children aged 2 - 99Tea Package $10~per person~Don’t forget your Teddy!(reservations recommended)


• May 10-11­­ Celebrate Mother’s Tea in style….Low Tea served at 11am, 1pm, 3pm…both days. Mom’s get a complimentary chocolate treat. Wear your hats and gloves!

NEW!

• Tuesday’s ….now Senior’s Day 8am-5pm. 10% off everything!

• Couples Tea….. Pot of favourite tea and two scones, w/ Devonshire cream and jam...$10 ~

• Bagged lunches now available for pick up. Variety of choices… Healthy alternative.

Devonshire Tea House - 60 Queen Street, Lakefield 705-652-TEAS

http://www.devonshireteahouse.com/

Upcoming Events at Cassis Bistro

March 26 - "Mussels & Music"
The classical guitar styling's of Woody Brumet and Michael Goldenberg's mussel creations!

April 17 - 19 "Spring in Provence"
Come celebrate the flavours & colours of spring in true Provence style

Reservations recommended
705-652-8045
Website - www.cassisbistro27.com

“A Taste of France in Lakefield”

A Taste for Life

On Wednesday, April 23rd you can dine out to help fight the impact of HIV/AIDS in our community.

Its simple!

1. Book a table at one of many participating restaurants for April 23rd.
2. Go out for dinner with your friends and family and have a great evening!
3. The restaurant will donate 25% of the cost of your meal to PARN – Your Community AIDS Resource Network .

Make your reservation early to avoid missing out!

PARN - Your Community AIDS Resource Network will once again be holding A Taste for Life in Peterborough on Wednesday April 23rd, 2008 with all proceeds going towards HIV/AIDS prevention work in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Haliburton and Northumberland counties.

Participating Restaurants:

• Backtalk Café 705-924-2166 9 Main Street Warkworth
• Burnham Mansion 705-740-2553 2235 Keene Road Peterborough
• Capers Restaurant 705-653-5262 28 Bridge Street Campbellford
• Charlotte Anne's Restaurant "The Gemmiti Brothers" 705-742-2944 390 Queen Street Peterborough
• Elements Restaurant 705-876-1116 140 King Street Peterborough
• Hot Belly Mama’s 705-745-3544 380 George Street North Peterborough
• Karma’s Café 705-748-5451 217 Hunter Street West Peterborough
• La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant 705-742-1559 190 Hunter Street West Peterborough
• Rare 705-742-3737 166 Brock Street Peterborough
• Saporito Italian Restaurant 705-748-4591 195 Simcoe Street, Unit D Peterborough
• Splice Restaurant and Lounge 705-749-9315 379 George Street North Peterborough
• St. Veronus Café and Tap Grill 705-743-5714 129 Hunter Street West Peterborough
• The Thirsty Loon Pub 705-652-1812 39 Queen Street Lakefield
  
  Visit http://www.atasteforlife.org/ for more information!

Kawartha Cuisine 2008 - New Pricing!

We've added a new price point to our menu of available options: a 1/2 page menu! Perfect for small restaurants, cafes or others! Call Pierre for more information at 927-7139 or email him at pierre@connectionnewspaper.com

Soup's On!

Cervantes Space is Going to be... ?

Well, we're not sure yet if it's going to have the same name but the owners of Cassis Bistro in Lakefield have taken over the space that Cervantes was in on Hunter Street W. They're in the process of converting it now so we're looking forward to what they're going to do!

Culinary Tourism Event

This past Monday (January 28), we along with about 100 other food producers, caterers, restaurant owners and chefs attended the GPAEDC's Culinary Tourism event. It was a positive first step to making Peterborough & The Kawarthas a 'foodie' destination and we hope to see much more in the future! See this CHEX video clip for more information: http://www.chextv.com/videos/Newswatch_CulinaryTourism.WMV

All Hail the King of Chefs!

If you are into food & wine, then you probably know about Michael Stadtländer. He and his wife own the world-reknowned Eiginsinn Farm, in Singhampton Ontario. You have to wait for months for your reservation, you have to bring your own wine and, unless you're crazy, you'll book a B&B locally to sleep after the gastronomic wonder that you will be served... I have never been there - it's on my life list - but people I know who have just come away amazed.

Chef Stadtländer produces much of what he serves and is one of the biggest proponenents of the 'eat local' trend. This April, he will be the keynote speaker at the Green EXPO!

Saturday, April 26, 2008

10 am until 4 pm

Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Rd.

Admission: $5

Showcasing all aspects of living greener: extensive exhibits, impressive line-up of presenters, wine tasting, fashion show, children's activity area. Keynote speaker is Michael Stadtländer, one of the world's most accomplished chefs and an ardent promoter of local food. A School Challenge will showcase what area schools are doing to green their schools and workshops on greening businesses for young entrepreneurs will also be offered. .

Kawartha Cuisine 2008

Interested in being a part of Kawartha Cuisine 2008?

Check out this factoid sheet: http://kawarthacuisine.homestead.com/Factoid_Sheet.pdf

And give us a call with any questions you might have!

Cervantes is Gone?

Driving along Hunter the other day, we noticed that the windows at Cervantes are papered up and the space is for lease. Unfortunately, we have no information as to what happened but we hope all is well with Lee and his family!

Cooking Classes Winter 2008 at In A Nuttshell

Classes run on Wednesday evenings in the back studio beginning at 6 PM and finishing about 8:45 PM. All classes are hands-on, and the finished recipes enjoyed by the participants. All classes cost $50 including taxes and must be paid at time of registration. Full refunds granted if cancelled one week in advance. Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance
will be refunded with an in-store credit. Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance will forfeit registration fee. Minimum 5 participants, maximum 8. We reserve the right to cancel.
Register by calling 705-652-7814 or by email chefjay@inanuttshell.webcentre.ca

Wednesday, February 13, 2007
Chocolate:
Join Jennifer and Jay for all things chocolate, including take home truffles for the following day…
*****

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Cheese:
Fondue, soup, soufflé, gratins, and cheesecakes…join the big cheese, Chef Jay
*****

Wednesday, February 27
Beef:
From soup to dessert, Chef Jay looks at five innovative ways
to use our favourite meat
*****

Wednesday, March 19
Beer:
For the fans of barley and hops we put man’s greatest invention to good use…
*****


Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Spices:
Purchasing, grinding, storing, and five unique ways to put them to use
*****

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Potatoes:
A long standing staple, done in 5 ways including
Prince Edward Island Chocolate potato cake
*****
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Fish:
Okay, no dessert on this one, but 5 different methods and techniques for preparing healthy seafood ideas for your friends and family…
*****
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Berries:
Spring is in the air, and we explore all the permutations of fresh berries in salads, cold soups, entrees, and desserts…


Private cooking classes of 6-8 people may be arranged on available evenings in our studio.
Topics include the above selections, as well as
“A Fancy Dinner”, Thai, Spanish, Garlic Seafood Lovers,
Main Course Salads, and Make-ahead Casseroles.
Cost is subject to date and menu selection.
Contact Chef Jay: chefjay@inanuttshell.webcentre.ca

8th Annual North-End FOOD DRIVE

"Helping Neighbours in Need"

The organizer of the 8th annual North End Food Drive would like to thank North End residents for their generous, generous donations. Through the efforts of this caring community, the "Helping Neighbours in Need" food drive collected over 10,295 food item of food for Kawartha Food Share! The actual weight of the food is 12,000 lbs. The approximate dollar value of the items collected is $20,590.

A special thank you to the Peterborough members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and community volunteers who worked together to make the event so successful!

In total, the annual North End Food Drives have collected over 48 tons of food for Kawartha Food Share. This will go a long way in making sure that no one in our community goes hungry. Once again, thank you to residents and volunteers who made this event such a success.

Iron Chef Kawarthas? It's True!

Read the piece by Joanne Culley, from the Examiner here: It sounds like it's an event worth attending. Limited tickets available at In A Nuttshell.

New Site for Kawartha Cuisine

Of late, we've been struggling with keeping our website updated and working properly. In addition, many of you have commented on the usability of the original site and how it wasn't totally intuitive to finding shops, services or links. SO! We listened and took matters into our own hands. The result? www.kawarthacuisine.ca

Enjoy it!

Chef Henry's New Site!

Are you a fan of Brian Henry's cooking? Odds are, if you live in Lakefield, you've probably had some of his cooking, either when he was at In A Nuttshell (catering) or perhaps at an event where he was catering. However you've had it, we're sure you've enjoyed it. So if you're thinking about getting catering, stay tuned to Chef Brian's new site: www.chefbrianhenry.com

New Site for Irwin Inn

Check out Irwin Inn's new site - it's great and with online booking, you can see what's available for that family trip or a romantic getaway for 2. http://www.irwininn.com/

Interested in being in the 2008 Edition of Kawartha Cuisine?

There are some very special deals for businesses who sign up now for 2008. Only a deposit and a contract are required! We also have "Early Bird" pricing for businesses who sign up and pay in full before October 31, 2007! Call today to take advantage of this!

Contact Pierre Saville for more information or pricing at: 705.927.7139 or pierre@kawarthacuisine.ca

Chefs Show off at Taste of Fiesta

Visitors from as far away as Finland and those close to home in Buckhorn came on July 20 to experience one of the province’s premier wine and food shows, Fiesta Buckhorn. The 2nd Annual Taste of Fiesta Culinary Challenge on Friday night proved popular, with more than 400 people watching chefs compete and the judges tasting appetizers and entrees prepared under the pressure of time constraints and an audience.

Each restaurant was paired with a participating winery to offer a match of food with wine. Plates for tasting and presentation were set before a celebrity panel of judges, including Chef Brian Henry; Shari Darling, The Sophisticated Wino; and Tara Barrows, morning show co-host on 107.9 The Breeze Radio.

The Kawartha Cuisine Magazine Awards went to:

Appetizer:
First Place: Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut/Colio Estate Wines
Second Place: Chef Erik Hoflick, Ward Street Grill/Fielding Estate Wines
Honourable Mention: Chef Julio Campos, La Hacienda/Kawartha Country Wines

Entrée:
First Place: Don Vassiliadis, Shish-kabob Hut/Colio Estate Wines
Second Place: Chef Julio Campos, La Hacienda/Kawartha Country Wines
Honourable Mention: Chef Erik Hoflick, Ward Street Grill/Fielding Estate Wines

As well, Chef Julio Campos from La Hacienda was awarded the People’s Choice "Golden Whisk" Award for personality and performance during the competition.

"The competition is an opportunity for our creative chefs and wine experts to showcase their talent and experience," said Shari Darling. "It's also a great example that validates my belief that the Kawarthas is a food and wine destination point with beautiful countrysides and blue lakes."

The organizers of Fiesta Buckhorn would like to thank Kawartha Cuisine Magazine and the judges for their support of the Challenge.

First Place Appetizer
Greek Summer Village SaladServes two
4 heritage tomatoes (yellow, orange and red) - sliced 1 red pepper - julienned ½ English cucumber- halved lengthwise and sliced¼ Spanish onion - sliced thin¼ red onion - sliced thin5 Greek Kalamata olives250 g (8oz) goats milk feta cheese -crumbled125 g (4oz) Greek kefalotyri cheese - finely grated½ cup (4oz) virgin cold pressed Greek olive oil ¼ cup (2oz) white vinegar 1 teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon salt
1. On a plate, spread layers of tomato, cucumber, red pepper and onion.2. Pour vinegar over vegetables and sprinkle salt.3. Spread both cheeses on top. 4. Pour olive oil over salad. 5. Sprinkle oregano on top.6. Put kalamata olives around edge of salad.

New Winery in Warkworth!

A WINE EXPERIENCE YOU'LL WANT TO SHARE
Oak Heights Estate Winery is nestled in the rolling hills of Northumberland County, just minutes from the picturesque town of Warkworth, Ontario. Visit http://www.oakheights.ca/ for more information (info obtained from website).

Splice Restaurant is Not to be Missed!

Last Saturday, hot and tired from spending time at the Dragon Boat Festival, we sought an oasis, a refuge from the assault of overwhelming heat. We found it at 379 George Street. Cool and calming, Splice Lounge is a beautifully designed restaurant with a prominent bar and gorgeous leather banquettes from which you can sit and observe the world.

We sat. I ordered a vodka martini. The server asked me if I wanted that dry or extra dry. Heaven. Someone who knows how it should be done. For lunch, I had the butter chicken pizza with chickpea salad. It was everything I needed in a light but satisfying lunch. Pierre had Chef Ashley's rendition of Fish & Chips. Instead of the big slab of beer battered fish, these delicate pieces of halibut were encrusted with Panko crumbs and served with delicate frites and a warm and spicy wasabi tartar sauce. It was perfect.

A light lemony dacquois dessert, with 2 Americano coffees put the final touches on an excellent meal. We'll definitely be back for more!

Have you Been to McLean Berry Farm Lately?

If it's fresh, local, top of the line produce your looking for McLean Berry Farm has just that. As their season kicks off there are tons of things to look forward to. Strawberries are picked fresh every day during their regular strawberry seasons and they've expanded yet again to include over 20 acres of strawberries and raspberries for both pick your own and available at their farm market. Twice a week they venture into Peterborough for the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Markets and bring along with them their freshly picked produce. Along with strawberries come a host of other fruits and vegetables that are grown right on the farm. Peas, beans, potatoes, tomatoes and of course their to die for corn on the cob are all favourites to look forward to over the summer season. New this year, they've started growing their own Day Neutral strawberries. This means that their delicious local strawberries will be available all summer long - right until October! If you're looking for quality produce whether it be in your store, restaurant or home be sure to check out McLean's - their home grown taste can't be beat! Located just off Hwy 507 (just south of Buckhorn) their Farm Market opens this year on June 16th . To check what's in season or get more information you can call (705) 657-2134 or visit their website at www.mcleanberryfarm.com

Restaurants abound in Peterborough & the Kawarthas!

So I heard yesterday that in Peterborough, there are 30 restaurant for every 10,000 residents. In Toronto, there are 11 restaurants for every 10,000 residents. Puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Ontario Government is Encouraging Consumers to "Buy Ontario"!

In a press release, sent out May 11, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Leona Dombrowsky stated: " The Ontario Government will be putting the spotlight on the fresh, high-quality foods grown and produced in the province this summer with a new "Buy Ontario" marketing strategy.

"If we all buy Ontario, everybody wins," the Minister was quoted as saying. " We're getting healthy, fresh food from here at home and we're supporting local farmers, our rural economy and our environment."

The government is contributing $12.5 million to the ‘Buy Ontario’ strategy, which includes a consumer awareness campaign designed to increase interest and demand for local foods across the province, expands the Foodland Ontario program to more fresh food products, and boosts the Savour Ontario program in fine and vacation dining establishments. Of the total, $2.5 million has already been distributed to a number of agri-food industry associations to assist them in promoting the sale of Ontario products.

Peterborough Wednesday Farmers

- Market Opening Day Wednesday May 2nd -

Environmental issues are forefront for most Canadians these days. Climate change, over flowing landfills, soil, air and water pollution are issuesnagging us to take action. It can be overwhelming sometimes to know where to begin. The Peterborough Wednesday Farmers' Market is a great place to start. Food is one of those things that we make decisions about many times day.What we choose to eat, how it is produced and where it comes from all havean impact on the natural world.

The Peterborough Wednesday Farmer's Market, located in downtown Peterborough, is a unique market, as it is a local producers only market. What does that mean for you the consumer? Well that means that each vendor must ensure that 80 percent of all the products that they sell are produced from their own farm, while the remaining 20 percent can come from off farmas long as it is still regionally produced. By shopping at the Peterborough Wednesday Farmer's Market you can ensure that you reduce the “food miles”associated with the food you eat. When we reduce the distances our foodtravels to get to our table, we significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions our food we produces.Other good, green reasons to check out the Peterborough Wednesday Farmers'Market are:

· Healthy and farm fresh foods produce is picked fresh and brought to the market, often within a day of being harvested! Ecologically grown andorganic produce is also available just ask.

· Support your local agricultural community in developing a secure and healthy food system.

· You can leave your car at home and take the bus, bike or walk to the markets central location.

· Bring your cloth bags and/or support the Peterborough Wednesday Farmers Market by purchasing one at the market and reduce the number of plastic bags being littered, landfilled or even recycled in our community.

· The Peterborough Wednesday Farmer's Market is friendly, filled with vendors that carry a wide range of products from organic produce to localmeats, handmade natural soaps to fresh fruit, gourmet cooking to preserves, potting plants to spun wool, all locally produced. At the market you get to meet the growers, producer, chefs, and crafts people, ask them questions and get connected.

To start the season off in an environmentally sound way, the Peterborough Wednesday Farmers' Market will be giving away 25 Peterborough Wednesday Farmer's Market tote bags to the first 25 customers at the market on our OPENING DAY, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2ND , 2007. For the remainder of the day these beautiful yet sturdy market bags will be on sale for our opening day priceof $5 each.We hope to see you at the market every Wednesday! It is open from May toOctober, from 8:30 am until 2 pm on Charlotte St. (between George St. andWater St.). For more information contact:P aula Anderson 745-3238 or Lynn Hassen 705-324-9413

The Martini Subculture

The Martini Subculture
By Chantal Saville

There is a whole world of people out there who live, breathe and drink martinis. Gin, a dash of vermouth and a lemon peel or olive. No more and no less. They are almost fanatical about it, to the point of getting right snippy if you dare to call one of those ‘other’ cocktails a martini.

A standard martini is a five to one ratio – five of gin, one of dry vermouth. A ‘dry martini’ uses even less vermouth. The less vermouth, the ‘drier’ the martini. People who are truly into the dry martini will ‘rinse’ the glass in vermouth, but ultimately pour it out before adding the gin. “Connoisseurs boast of… passing the vermouth cap above the glass, shining a light through the vermouth bottle onto the glass, momentarily passing the finished drink near a closed vermouth bottle, or jokingly whispering "vermouth" over the glass. It's been said that a "Churchill Martini" contains no vermouth, just British gin. The legend holds that Churchill would get as close to the vermouth bottle as to "look at it from across the room". This would make it very dry or a so called Churchill Martini.”[*] A ‘dirty martini’ has a little olive juice included with the olive, which is said to lessen the intensity of the alcohol. A lemon peel is another ‘acceptable’ garnish. In fact, the best way is to peel the lemon right over the glass. The peeling action releases some of the lemon oil onto the top of the drink. I myself prefer lime, but that’s a whole other story.

If there was ever a more schizophrenic drink, it is the martini. If you order a martini at a bar, you should receive a standard gin martini. Where it gets complicated is when people order a martini but in fact they are expecting something other than a gin martini. Because of course, the modern bartender can read minds! Should it be ‘shaken not stirred’? This ubiquitous sentence is from James Bond, who always orders his martinis this way in the movies. However, true martini followers have several bones to pick with Bond. First, he asks for vodka, which as we have explored above, is not what a martini is traditionally made with. More importantly, the use of a shaker causes the ice to chip into the drink, thereby diluting it. The proper way to mix a martini involves stirring it carefully with a long spoon. There are also those who say that shaking it will ‘bruise’ the gin. Ultimately, you can tell a shaken martini because it is cloudier than a stirred one, since the shaking adds air to the mixture. Furthermore, a true martini drinker will keep all his ‘tools’ in the freezer: gin, vermouth, glasses, mixing glass.

If you enjoy a good dry martini, you are in good company: Churchill, Truman Capote, J. Robert Oppenheimer, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Cary Grant, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt all partook in martinis, some with better results than others![†] During Prohibition, martinis were the drink of choice because gin was easy to produce – whiskey was too time consuming to make in the quantities needed by speakeasies. Today, there are thousands of variations on the martini that have been developed: Vodkatini, Kangaroo, Cosmopolitain, Appletini… I can’t even begin to list them. Purists, however, would disagree. They would say there is only one martini – stirred, not shaken.
© 2007 Chantal Saville
[*] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_(cocktail)
[†] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martini_(cocktail)