My hat goes off to Edmonton’s Avenue Magazine–specifically the March issue featuring the 25 Best Things to Eat in our city. Gail Hall, Edmonton’s preeminent food source, gives descriptions of the establishments and what food you should go for, and Peter Markiw’s photography of the dishes is outstanding. In his Editor’s Note, Steven Sandor says, “There is a special culinary scene being created in this city–and it deserves to be recognized.” Amen brother, now pass the tarts.

Some of the best things to eat come from places that have been around for a while, like the Sugarbowl (10922 88 Ave.),

the Budapest Deli (9308111 Ave.),

and the Won Jung Gak (9655 62 Ave.).

I was happy to see the mention of new products like the amazing Caesar salad dressing from Garlic’s Purity Plus (by the way, you can also find it at Real Deal Meats on Ellwood Drive), artistic edibles by Jaqueline Jacek of Jacek Chocolates,

and the Droewors (dried sausage) from Betsy’s South African Deli on 104 Street. Go to Betsy’s for the chilibites too!

Battista’s Calzones gets mentioned twice, and deservedly so – as one of the top 25 things to eat, as well as in the two-page spread featuring dining destinations on 118th Avenue. Safron’s Caribbean Delights, which shares the same building as Battista’s, is (in my opinion) the best place to get jerk chicken in the city, by far.

And Daniel Costa, of Corso 32, Red Star Pub and Da Capo’s, gives a no holds barred interview in a great article titled, “Bite Me”.  I don’t care what cologne or clothing Costa likes to wear, but I do care about what he has to say about the chef community and the lack of communication between food professionals in the city. His answers were enlightening and if you care anything at all about the state of food in Edmonton, you’ll want to grab a copy of this issue now.

In the past year, Edmonton has had three heavy weights in the food industry spend time in our city: David Adjey, Gordon Ramsay and Susar Lee. Big names like those, along with the gaining momentum of Edmonton’s Slow Food movement, and publications like the Edmonton Journal featuring a Taste Alberta section, are helping Edmonton establish itself as a worthy food destination. Food advocates like Gail Hall, Jesse Raddies (of the Blue Pear – arguably Edmonton’s pioneer in local food usage), and food bloggers like Kevin Kossowan (and many more like him), are making a lot of noise when it comes to using sustainable, seasonal foods grown locally. For more info on eating, living and shopping locally, click here.

The times, they are most certainly a’changin’! Thank you, Avenue Magazine, for giving us a taste of the good things going on. Methinks this is just the beginning.