Cookbook Co. Cooks & Wordfest Present Calgary Eats

Have you ever wanted a second chance? A few extra seconds? A second helping?

Gail Norton and Karen Ralph, authors of Calgary Eats (the sequel to the best-selling Calgary Cooks) are thrilled to present “Seven Seconds."

Restaurant life inspires some great stories, and we rarely get to hear tales from the other side of the line. The theme of the evening is “Seconds" – and we have gathered seven of the contributing chefs from Calgary Eats together for this fun night of storytelling. 

Tickets include a themed cocktail from Eau Claire Distillery, and some small bites from the pages of the book.

Dining out is entertainment, it's meant to be fun.”

About the Speakers:

Kevin Kent, Knifewear

Kevin Kent, owner of Knifewear is still as obsessed with Japanese knives as the day he first held one. Knifewear stores can be found in Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Edmonton and Kent plans to open stores in Toronto and Kyoto, Japan. He refuses to confess how many Japanese knives he owns … but he admits the number is rather high.

Kayle Burns, UNA Pizza + Wine and Bread and Circus

Executive Chef Kayle Burns oversees the menus for both UNA Pizza + Wine and Bread and Circus. Originally from Ontario, Burns has worked in kitchens around the world. From the presentation of his dish to the time he spends away from the kitchen to interact with the diners, Burns is committed to food and hospitality in every way.

Judy Wood, Meez Fast Home Cuisine

Executive Chef and co-owner Judy Wood was one of the first in Calgary to have a chef-driven, specialty-food retail store. She earned her grand diplôme from L’École de Cuisine La Varenne in Paris. Wood travels semi-annually to France and Italy with small groups, sharing her love and knowledge of regional cuisine and wines through teaching and cooking. 

Rogelio Herrera, Alloy Dining

Chef Rogelio Herrera started as a dishwasher, was a  line cook, the “pasta guy” and eventually sous chef in some of Calgary’s best restaurants before deciding to open Alloy Dining. Herrera leads by example, and is dedicated to helping children change their lives through work programs and education.

Liana Robberecht, WinSport

Chef Liana Robberecht has led WinSport’s kitchen since 2015, overseeing the menus for two kitchens, two lounges, and more than a thousand catered events. 

Previously she was executive chef at Calgary’s Petroleum Club. Robberecht was named Chef of the Year by the Alberta Foodservice Expo and Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice News in 2011. 

She notes “Being a chef is a position of change rather than authority.” 

Karen Kho and Dave Sturies, Empire Provisions

Karen Kho, co-owner of Empire Provisions is a certified sommelier, worked in retail wine sales was the wine director for Velvet, Cilantro, the Ranche and created the wine program at Vin Room. She became the Operations Manager for the Teatro Restaurant Group, before opening Empire Provisions in 2017. 

Co-owner and head butcher, Dave Sturies has a degree in Environmental Science and he’s always held his own in a kitchen. He learned butchery at a local butchers and then moved to Teatro, where he oversaw the butchery and charcuterie program. He then perfected his sausage-making skills at UNA Pizza + Wine and sold his products into retail stores and restaurants.

Cody Willis, Two Penny, Native Tongues Taqueria, Calcutta Cricket Club

Born and raised in Calgary, Cody Willis has been instrumental in putting fun with a capital F into dining out. The creative vision behind Native Tongues Taqueria, Two Penny / The Tea House and Calcutta Cricket Club, Cody is a certified sommelier. His restaurants and partnerships are truly labours of love.

Dining out is entertainment, it's meant to be fun.”

Karen Ralph, Co-Author, Calgary Eats

Karen Ralph is a freelance writer, long time contributor to City Palate magazine, co-author of Calgary Cooks and food and wine instructor at The Cookbook Co. Cooks. Ralph organizes the wine tours for annual food and wine camps in the south of France. She is owner of grassland gluten free baking, specializing in classic treats. 

Gail Norton, Co-Author, Calgary Eats

Gail Norton is the owner of The Cookbook Co. Cooks, a specialty cookbook, food, kitchenware and cooking school. A lifelong Calgarian with deep roots in the local food community Norton is the former publisher of City Palate magazine, co-author of Calgary Cooks, Dishing, Double Dishing, and Cooks in My Kitchen.