Tag Archives: Rouge Restaurant

Artesia Kitchen Party

Albi Show Home, ArtesiaHave you ever walked into a show home kitchen and fantasized about using the fantastic new appliances? Perhaps at this Albi Home, in Artesia at Heritage Point? Chef Paul RogalskiRecently, Artesia invited Chef Paul Rogalski to do just that. But being co-owner of the world-renowned Rouge Restaurant, he took it up a notch…Chef Paul Rogalski… turning a cooking demo into a kitchen party.Artesia and Chef Paul RogalskiI’ve seen a few ginormous island kitchen islands recently, and it always makes me wonder how you wipe the crumbs off (with a Swiffer?) but Chef Paul knew exactly what to do with the space.

Chef Paul RogalskiIn between showcasing cooking techniques for Roasted Cauliflower and Parsnip Soup, Duck A L’Orange and Tangled Beef Flank in Sherry Vinaigrette…Chef Paul Rogalski dices onionChef Paul dished on how to slice and dice an onion to achieve the perfect Big Mac garnish. Surprisingly it involved tossing almost half away. And yes, this award-winning chef and master of modern French cooking referenced McDonalds. Someone give this guy a reality show — quick!

Cocktails and Canapes at Artesia home Between courses, guests spilled out of the kitchen, into the super-wide entrance hallway. Tanya Puka of Anstice Communications flashes her pearly whites at the camera. On her right, Carolina Oxtoby, President and CEO of Heritage Pointe Properties and Heritage Point Golf Club. And in the glasses, Brad McMeekin, President of Skyline Construction. All well-versed in the art of being an Alberta houseguest:  shoes off!Oxtoby, President & CEO Heritage Pointe Properties and Heritage Pointe Golf Club A belle who busted her way through the doors of the developer boys’ club, Carolina is the woman who helped to make this luxurious neighborhood happen. Years before Calgary’s bedroom communities had sprawled anywhere near southern city limits, Carolina was trudging through fields and knocking on farmer’s doors. By 1989 she’d helped to amass 1000 acres for the Heritage Pointe community and matching golf course in De Winton — south of the “deep south,” as they like to say round these here parts. Artesia at Heritage Pointe followed.

Chef Paul RogalskiWhile Chef Paul continued to slave over a hot, never-touched-before stove, Carolina told me how sustainability was a priority for her, especially water management. Heritage Pointe Properties uses grey water to maintain the landscaping.Artesia cocktail partySustainability continued indoors, with party guests thriving on champagne and Chef Paul’s delicious eats. What a great night!Blue Besos

 

Pop-up Dinner Party

IMG_1735If you’re headed to the Calgary Home+Design Show this weekend, I recommend going to it before you paint your walls the wrong shade of grey. Because if you attend, like I did, while the unexpected blue and lavender tones are still drying on your walls, you’re sure to see the right shade of grey everywhere. Like here, on the main stage furnished by Urban Barn.IMG_1719And at the Western Living Lounge.IMG_1723Even on the super-cool distressed concrete floor.IMG_1740Plus I was a walking example of What Not To Wear to a convention center. But I tried not to worry about that — I was there for a party.IMG_1742Calgary’s best bloggers were invited to attend a pop-up dinner party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the design show.IMG_1751Decorated by Revolve, my table was accented in blue. Blue Besos blue. With totally appropriate azul cocktails.IMG_1766The Casa Bubble display lurks in the background while YYC top chefs, Kyle Groves from Catch, Paul Rogalski from Rouge and Michael Dekker from SAIT cook under the watchful eye of Neil Stuart from Trail Appliances…IMG_1760… and the eyes of anyone walking by the cooking stage. With a camera overhead displaying their culinary moves on a giant flatscreen, it was a cooking show come to life.IMG_1757Of course, that also meant if you were part of the dinner, you were part of the demonstration.IMG_1767But the food was too good to let eating in a fishbowl sink my appetite. Especially when Chef Kyle Groves’ dish included an unexpected fish chip made from deep fried char skin. IMG_1775Cafe Rosso rounded out the night with a jolt of java. Cole tried to distract me from all the surrounding perfect grey tones by remembering I like my lattes extra-hot. He has a memory like an elephant, or should I say he has grey matter similar to a certain grey pachyderm? Meanwhile, the coffee and cooking were delicious. The Calgary Home+Design Show continues at the BMO Center through Sunday.

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