The Sinister 7

You may or may not know that this week end was Sinister 7 week end here in the Pass. As in the past, the B&B was full to capacity with those crazy folks out here to run. After talking with them over the week end about the race and how it was run etc. the consensus is that it was great.  The fellows in charge ( our own Brain and Andrew) put on a wonderful event with a challenging course and everyone was happy they came.
From the point of view of a tourism operator here in the pass it's more than a great event. It attracts a lot, and I mean a lot of folks here to the valley, guests that spend their money, cause no problems with over indulging ( unless you count all those sore muscles ) and are genuinely nice people that really want to be here. It's one of those gems that we all look for and wish could happen every week.

So hats off to Full Moon Adventures for doing what they do soooo well. Thanks Guys.

Taste the Local Difference

We held our menu launch a week or so a go. I would count it as a success. We had a number of people come and enjoy the sampler menu we produced and it was very well received. Thanks everyone who joined us and all our suppliers for the great products. You can find the full menu online here

Tapas and Wine Tasting Night

Recently we hosted for a group, a tapas and wine tasting night here at the house. From my point of view it was a lot of fun and how couldn't it be- I got to cook and serve a bunch of really cool stuff to a group that really enjoyed themselves. When I was talking with a friend about the evening they suggested that it might be something that we could do here. Do up a menu and offer tickets for sale to the general public. Well after bouncing it off my partner in crime, we came to the conclusion it would be fun and there might be enough folks around here interested in coming to such an event. We would be looking at not more than 24 people on an evening in January or February to gather together tasting good food and wine, learning alittle and having fun. Any takers?

Continuing Education Classes

For the first time in many years I taught a Con-Ed class last week. It was as much fun as I remembered. The ladies that joined me gathered around the bar that separates the kitchen from the rest of the house and we chatted and I cooked. The topic of the class was Hors d'œuvre. You know, those little bite size wonders that sends hostesses into fits. Well we made a bunch of easy, many do- ahead, items that work really well, sampling all the while.  

  
Thanks again for coming Ladies. I hope to see you again in other classes.
Anyone who is interested in joining us can register with Toni and CNP Adult Education 

Hors d’oeuvres – Intermediate

Make simple and elegant hors d’oeuvres that will allow freedom through advanced preparation so you are able to both enjoy your party and impress your guests. These great do ahead treats are sure to be a hit!!!

Dates: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Cost: $25.00
Instructor: Dawn Rigby
Location: Country Encounters Hospitality – 7701 17th Avenue Coleman
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 3, 2010
To Register: 403-562-2853

How to Make Sushi

Learn the special techniques of Japanese cooks to make these easy recipes in your own kitchen. You will work with special tools and ingredients and learn how to select the freshest foods available to you. You are sure to wow any dinner guest with these hand-made beauties. Nori rolls and Nagari made easy!!!

Dates: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Cost: $25.00
Instructor: Dawn Rigby
Location: Country Encounters Hospitality – 7701 17th Avenue Coleman
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 10, 2010
To Register: 403-562-2853

Prairie N' Peaks Quilt Festival 2011

In conjunction with the folks in Pincher Creek  a group of us here in the Pass are involved in organizing this event. And what an event it will be. 10 days full of workshops, lectures, markets, dinners etc,etc, etc,  Check here Prairie N' Peaks Quilt Festival  for more information and updates as they are released.

Our newest flyer

End of the Season

With the snow last night, came the realization that the end of summer is pretty much upon us. Was it a good season? Well the weather was a little shakey but the tourists were plentiful and things went well. The new kitchen
held up reasonably well and the functions went great.  The last big one till Christmas season is Saturday Sept 25.
The Harvest of Memories is  the Crowsnest Museum's annual fundraiser  so come out and support the museum and have a wonderful night out.

So much going on

Oh boy have things been going on. Renovations ( more to come on that one), moving, website revamps, opening and first use of our new meeting space ( more to come on this one too), First time appearance as a exhibitor at the trade show, hosting Exploritas programs and our new retreats.  Wow lots of stuff.

We have recently partnered with Paterson Photography  form Lethbridge to host a couple of photography classes/retreats. Now these are going to be great.  I will supply classroom space, meals and accommodations and Mike will be the instructor, leader of the group adventure, etc. It is going to be great.

Ya the Christmas Party is Back!!

So I've been booking Christmas parties left and right over the last few weeks. Lots of them, more than last year and new groups. This is great. I did a bit of advertising in the local paper and I was attributing it mostly to that. Good I think it's paid off. Then I came across this article in Hospitality Trends http: www.htrends.com/trends-detail-sid-42139.html . Ok so it just wasn't my ad but then again the groups may have been thinking about it and the ad urged them to action either way the result is the same: a busy Christmas season. Thanks Crowsnest Pass for thinking of us.

The Bonus of Doing What I Do

This weekend was a real busy one. So busy in fact I had to import my middle daughter ( she’s the one in cooking school) back from Let bridge to help with all the parties. We had 5 dinners, 3 breakfasts, 1 brunch, and 2 lunched all between Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, when 3 of the dinners took place, I left my girls to take care of the 2 small ones ( and they did great, thanks ladies, couldn't have done it without you) My husband and I and the rest of the staff went of to cater a wedding in Sparwood. It was a lovely Celtic affair with guests from all over the world. The bride was lovely, the groom dashing in his kilt and all had a good time. They choose a menu that transported well making out job easier and things went well. In and out in 2 hours with many compliments along the way. It was great.


Now here comes the bonus part. When the bride and groom returned the tablecloths etc. they had rented from me I got not one but three hugs for a job well done. They were so please and they let us know it. They gave me a gratuity for my staff ( I don't believe in automatically charging it but that is a whole other post) which was really nice but what was great was the genuine gratitude that showed in their actions that made my day. It was a reminder after a long week end of one of the reasons why I do this job.

Many thanks to the new Mr and Mrs F for reminding me of the great part of this job. May your life together be filled with happiness.

Harvest of Memories

On Sept 26 I had the pleasure of catering the annual fund raising dinner for the Crowsnest Museum. The "black and white" event was sold out and it appeared that everyone had a good time. According to Wendy Zack, the curator, the museum made out well. The event included a buffet dinner (I love doing these ones where they give me a lot of freedom to create) that we tried out some new dishes for, coconut curry chicken, a dill and cucumber salad, tomato basil salad, and a cinnamon swirl loaf. They did a silent auction as well as a live auction and then had dancing afterwards. It seemed to be a night that all the locals came out, mixed and mingled. Generally just having a good time and supporting a worthy cause.




Speaking of that Cause, when was the last time you visited our local museum? They truly do an amazing job for a small town museum with little funding and mostly volunteer labour. Take a look at their website Crowsnest Museum. and drop by to visit - it's informative and rather well done

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