Chopped Canada Season 2, Episode 23: Chicken Sliders with Parsnip and Cabbage Slaw

For the appetizer round, the mandatory ingredients were chicken breast, stout, parsnip and jelly rolls.  A little bit weird, but not a complete throw-off.  Not that difficult to figure SOMETHING out, either.  What I’d make would be sweet and sour chicken sliders topped with parsnip slaw.  This would work very well both as a passed […]

A Meal at Ottawa’s Mezzanotte

Fine dining in Ottawa isn’t hard to find, but that is really more of a problem than it might sound. Ottawa’s Byward Market is full of locations that will provide you with a satisfactory experience, however, if you’re anything like me, satisfactory just isn’t good enough. I want it all when it comes to my […]

Top Father’s Day Gifts 2015

At a loss what to get for your beloved father on his special day?  DelectablyChic! is back with its Annual Father’s Day Gift Guide! For the Father Who Likes Skincare: King’s Crown’s Skincare Gift Set is a three-step skin care regimen featuring a cleanser, moisturizer and the Brand’s staple Ultra-Rich Shaving Cream. Formulas are free of parabens, phthalates and alcohol and fondly […]

Chopped Canada Season 2, Episode 22: Turkey with Maple Fudge

Maple fudge was one of the items in the main course basket, along with soft pretzels, chili fries and corn on the cob.  So what should one make with that?  Why not pulled maple turkey over pretzel and fries cake?  Topped with corn and kale salad? Maple fudge – would you use it for a […]

Freekeh Out Over a New Salad at Aroma!

From delicious breakfast items like shakshuka (I had my first there!) to soups (always comes with delicious baked-in-store bread), sandwiches and salads to their wide range of caffeinated drinks and pastries, Aroma Espresso Bar is one of my favourite places to grab brunch or lunch.  In fact, this Israeli-based eatery is popping up all over […]

Chopped Canada, Season 2, Episode 21: Rabbit Burgers with Rainbow Green Bean ‘Fries’?

Ummm, sure?  Yes, rainbow coloured “fruit ring” cereal (think Froot Loops) was one of the mandatory ingredients for the main course of Episode 21.  This was along with rabbit legs, spicy pickled green beans and port.  Yes.  What a weird basket.  Difficult, too.  But one needs to use the imagination in order to win, right?  […]

Unique Table Pieces at Summerhill’s Hopson Grace

If you’re looking for something to spruce up your dining room, kitchen or even outdoor dinnerware or serveware, look no further than Hopson Grace.  Founded by Andrea Hopson (ex-Tiffany’s exec) and Martha Grace McKimm, a former Toronto-area PR executive, this store has taken up shop at the old Patachou cafe. Colourful butter knives and preserve […]

Chopped Canada, Season 2, Episode 20: Microwave Cake Elk Roulade?

So what do you make with ingredients such as elk, microwave cake (mix), saba and fenugreek?  Roulade, filling the elk with fenugreek, ricotta, spinach and a bit of cake.  The dish would be served with some orzo and some vegetables. Would you be able to make a main course with MICROWAVE CAKE?? (GROSS!) First of […]

Dining at Diwan Restaurant in Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum

Diwan Restaurant, the 85-seat dining room at the architecturally-stunning Aga Khan Museum is located near the not-so-convenient Don Valley parkway. There aren’t many other sit-down restaurants in the vicinity, which is largely known for its big box outlets. So it would be fair to say that Diwan has a captive audience of museum goers around […]

Chopped Canada, Season 2, Episode 19: Black Plum and Oxtail Dumplings

The mystery basket ingredients for the appetizer round of episode 18 wasn’t all that difficult if one is very creative.  They were: hot chocolate, cooked oxtail, harissa and black plums.  With hot chocolate as one of the ingredients, the first thing that popped in my mind when I was watching was a mole sauce.  Since […]