Tucking in for his final night sleeping on the frozen Assiniboine River Mandel Hitzer reflects on creation and the inevitability of letting go. And, surprise! Chantal is back to spend another night with Mandel for the newlyweds’ one month anniversary.
The Forks
MANDEL HITZER’S GREAT CANADIAN SLEEPOUT – NIGHT TWENTY
Mandel talks Great Canadian Sleepout and RAW:almond before his second last night on the ice.
RAW:ALMOND NIGHT SIXTEEN – RIVER REPORT FEAT. CHEF ERIC LEE
Chef Eric Lee of Pizzeria Gusto talks #riverpopup. He’s a fan of the restaurant’s 2014 luxury kitchen set up complete with three-sink system (thanks Joe Kalturnyk!).
RAW:ALMOND NIGHT FOURTEEN – RIVER REPORT FEAT. CHEF EDWARD LAM
Chef Edward Lam of Yujiro reports on his experience cooking at RAW:almond.
THE COOLEST WEEKEND BRUNCH GOING IS ALMOST GONE, SO GET DOWN THERE
Delicious Tansi-style breakfast corn dog on the frozen Assiniboine River.
This weekend marks the last opportunity to brunch on ice for 2014. Head on down to RAW:almond Saturday or Sunday between 9 am and 2 pm to for a multi-course brunch feast from Talia Syrie and her Tansi Restaurant team. Brunch is $22 (cash-only). This week’s menu promises new delights such as fresh cornbread and baked beans, and sweet potato blintzes with ‘slaw and pulled pork, plus the fitting return of the most apt river pop-up grub: Red River Cereal.
Check out The Manitoban’s impression of last weekend’s brunch, which includes Talia Syrie’s delicious ambition: “We tried to deep fry something in every course.” Listen to podcast featuring full length interview via Katy’s Kitchen. Super interesting window into logistics of cooking on a frozen river.
Pancakes and Poppy bacon.
RAW:ALMOND NIGHT TWELVE – RIVER REPORT FEAT. CHEF VIKRAM VIJ
Chef Vikram Vij‘s first visit to Winnipeg and RAW:almond experience was a mutual pleasure.
SPICE ON ICE – CHEF VIKRAM VIJ AT RAW:ALMOND RIVER POP-UP
Chef Vikram Vij.
Sixty super lucky folks are in store for a truly memorable meal this week in Winnipeg. Not only will they dine in an intimate ten seat tasting lounge of a beautiful temporary restaurant on the frozen Assiniboine River, their chef for the evening will be Vikram Vij.
The renowned chef of Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, BC is “thrilled to be a part of such a creative pop up dining experience in Winnipeg”. The uncultivated culinary frontier, like RAW:almond, is familiar territory for the visionary chef. Read more in Bartley Kives‘ story ‘Celebrated Vancouver chef accepts icy invitation to bring his Indian vision, cuisine to pop-up restaurant on the river‘.
Vikram is “excited to share his heritage and indian cuisine with diners, and to help infuse an ethnic twist to this food festival”. Chef Vikram Vij cooks in the tasting lounge of RAW:almond February 3 and 4, 2014.
RAW:almond co-founder Chef Mandel Hitzer, Chef Vikram Vij and RAW:almond co-founder Joe Kalturnyk. Photo by Brett Howe.
RAW:ALMOND AT WORK – image gallery
This collection of low grade photos offers a glimpse of kitchen action at RAW:almond 2014 thus far. Culinary talent depicted hail from these fine Winnipeg eateries: Bistro 7 1/4, deer + almond, Deseo Bistro, Diversity Food Services, Elements the Restaurant, Lobby on York and Segovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Cyrus Smith lives in Berlin.
RAW:ALMOND NIGHT EIGHT – RIVER REPORT
Night eight on the river brought diesel mittens, a light show dance party, refried bean and coconut ice cream props and Champagne tops.
RAW:ALMOND NIGHT EIGHT – Chef Scott Bagshaw recaps; intro by Chef Mandel Hitzer
Filmed January 31; the eighth night of RAW:almond marked the fourth night in the kitchen for Chef Scott Bagshaw of Deseo Bistro.
RAW:almond - stories from the ice 