A Turner Valley distillery will warm up patrons with an assortment of concoctions ideal for the chilly weather at the annual Taste of Diamond Valley event on Oct. 28.
Apple brandy and Christmas gin made with frankincense and myrrh are among the samples Eau Claire Distillery will be serving up.
It’s one of a bounty of tasty samples from local restaurants, caterers and beer and spirits producers that people will get a chance to try at the event.
All proceeds go to the Oilfields Food Bank.
Staff at Eau Claire Distillery, which produces wine and spirits made from locally grown ingredients, started participating in the Taste of Diamond Valley when they opened three years ago.
“We are a very proud participant in this community and we want to support our neighbours as much as we can and get to know them,” said owner David Farran. “This is a perfect venue for getting out and seeing people from the area.”
Chantal Teasdale, co-owner of Rusty Spur Catering in Turner Valley, will warm up patrons with a unique pulled pork sundae.
Teasdale said they will slowly roast the pork in apple juice and house-made Cajun seasoning, shred it and top it with garlic mashed potatoes and house-made coleslaw.
“It’s lots of fun and delicious,” she said. “The last time we did bacon wrapped potatoes with a truffle aioli on the side. It went over very well.”
Being a part of Taste of Diamond Valley is a way to give back to the community, said Teasdale.
“We really like the idea that the money goes back to the local food bank,” she said. “That’s really important for us to support their cause. We try to donate as much leftover supplies as possible to the food bank. It’s just a good will gesture.”
Valley Liquor owner Sarah Harrold has been hosting the event for four years to give the public a taste of what the area has to offer.
“It’s something different for out here,” she said. “A lot of the shows like that are in the city and they’re a lot more expensive to go to. If people from here want to go to them they have to figure out a way home, whether it’s a designated driver or getting a cab or a hotel to stay in. It seems logical to do it out here to give the area a fun thing like the shows in Calgary without having to go far.”
Food vendors include the Country Store Diner and Turner Valley Golf Club. Big Rock Brewery, Six Corners Brew Works and various others will be offering spirits and wine from across the Foothills and Calgary, Harrold said.
“It’s a socialization aspect for the people that come,” she said. “They... learn about the products they are trying, sample new things and hopefully the businesses that are there drum up some new business.”
The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Turner Valley Golf Club.
Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at turnervalleygolf.com/tasteofdv or Valley Liquor in Turner Valley.
Prizes will be awarded for best Halloween costumes for those choosing to dress up.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
