What better time to write about my last sushi class than when stopping over in Tokyo on my way west? I've never been to Japan before, and I'm barely dipping my toes in the water (the airport hardly counts), but I'm more than happy to talk for 3 hours about how to carefully swirl … [Read more...] about Sushi Classes in Montreal, and Flying Through Tokyo
Everything Else
“Out of the Freezer and into the Fire”: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam
Yes, I intentionally mis-quoted the saying. Whereas one usually leaves the frying pan and enters the fire (from a bad situation to a worse one), when one has as poor circulation as I do, the fire is an awfully attractive idea. Kind of like "The Cremation of Sam McGee": "Since I … [Read more...] about “Out of the Freezer and into the Fire”: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam
Top Travel Trends for Foodies for 2014
My most popular article on Fine Dining Lovers to date, "Food Travel Trends for 2014" is all about taking that exotic vacation you've always (or have never) dreamed of: Trujillo, Peru Amalfi, Italy Goa, India Flushing, NY Ningxia, Taiwan San Francisco, CA Helsinki, Finland Taguig … [Read more...] about Top Travel Trends for Foodies for 2014
The 2013 Holiday Party: International Christmas Smorgasbord
The party...whew, that was fun. The theme was "international Christmas traditions" or "international smorgasbord" and the idea was to make foods from all over the world that people from each country make for Christmas: Danish letter cookies made in the letters of the last name of … [Read more...] about The 2013 Holiday Party: International Christmas Smorgasbord
Home for the Holidays
"There's about a 50/50 chance we'll be able to land in St. John's due to fog." Those were the words of the pilot on my plane home to Newfoundland for Christmas two years ago. I'm making the annual pilgrimage again tomorrow and as I stare out of bedroom window, I wonder what feat … [Read more...] about Home for the Holidays
Vote for Me on Hostelworld!
Remember when I cut 6 lbs of chili peppers without gloves? Wasn't that hilarious? Turns out that a panel of objective judges (aka "not just my mom") thought burning my hands was great fun, too! So now I'm a finalist for the Hostelworld Travel Story Awards 2013 in the "Funny" … [Read more...] about Vote for Me on Hostelworld!
“Fruitcake Redeemed” in the National Post
Check out my article in the National Post today on Quebec-made artisanal fruitcake: "One man's quest to save the mighty—yet maligned—holiday loaf." Montrealer Ken Ilasz soaks dried fruit in rum, kirsch, and eau de vie, uses local products (ever heard of the haskap berry?), and … [Read more...] about “Fruitcake Redeemed” in the National Post
“Heinz on Crack” Homemade Sweet and Spicy Ketchup for Fine Dining Lovers
My most recent publication is the last of my canning series over at Fine Dining Lovers. In this final installment I break out the big guns: my bestselling "Heinz on Crack," a sweet and spicy tomato ketchup that should not be restricted to hamburgers. Tourtière, shepherd's pie, … [Read more...] about “Heinz on Crack” Homemade Sweet and Spicy Ketchup for Fine Dining Lovers
One Fish, Two Fish: Montreal Sustainable Seafood
You're in a restaurant, out for a special dinner, and you decide you want fish. Staring at the menu you have your choice of shrimp, samon, Chilean seabass ("bar du chili" en francais), or whole red snapper ("vivaneau"). The mango and pineapple salsa sounds good with the salmon, … [Read more...] about One Fish, Two Fish: Montreal Sustainable Seafood
6th(!) Annual Volk/Watson Christmas Extravaganza: Party Menu Ideas 2013
It's crazy to think that it's been 6 years since I got so fed up with being bored at Christmas that I decided to throw a massive party, having the balls to call it "annual" even in its first year. This year will be more of the same, in true Christmas tradition form, and I'm … [Read more...] about 6th(!) Annual Volk/Watson Christmas Extravaganza: Party Menu Ideas 2013