The Delta Bessborough is Saskatoon’s most storied hotel, an original CN property which offers the opulence of a bygone era and whispers today of “a castle in the heart of the city.” Its construction began in February of 1930 but by the time the exterior of the hotel was completed in late 1931 the Great Depression was in full swing and as a result did not open until 1935. The hotel greeted its first guest, Horace Stovin (after whom the hotel’s Stovin Lounge is named) on December 10, 1935, making this year the hotel’s 80th anniversary.
It was my first morning in Saskatoon when I whisked my way across the hotel’s backyard to dine at the al fresco Garden Court Cafe. I was joined at the table for a locally sourced brunch by the fine folks at Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, the provinces agricultural experts who would be leading me on a four stop farm tour that day outside of the city.
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan believes that getting to know farmers and ranchers equals getting to know food. Today, more than ever, people want to know where their food comes from. They want to understand where their food is grown, and be reassured that what they eat is produced with care. Launched in December 2014, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan represents thousands of livestock, crop and horticulture farmers, related businesses and government to foster a crucial gate-to-plate link between producers and consumers. With only 2% of the Canadian population now having direct ties to the farm there is a great need to provide consumers with the facts on how their food gets from the farm to their fork.
Our beautiful brunch that morning was prepared by Gold Medal Plates Saskatoon 2015 Winner Executive Chef Christopher Hill who did an excellent job at showcasing Saskatchewan’s summer bounty. We began by sipping through a rainbow of freshly pressed juices by locally owned Thrive Juice Co. Soon after a parade of plates arrived at the table, a colourful Taste of Saskatchewan featuring Lake Diefenbaker Steelhead Trout, chicken sausage and crispy slab bacon from Pine View Farms, chef’s garden tomato, camelina oil, mustard and juicy barbecue peaches.
Here are my Top 5 at Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon:
1) Thrive Juices | black lemonade (coconut charcoal, lemon, coconut sugar, filtered water), sweet envy (kale, spinach, apple, pineapple, parsley, lime), True Tang (carrot, pineapple, orange, turmeric), Know Your Roots (beet, carrot, apple, lemon, ginger)
2) Lake Diefenbaker Steelhead Trout Eggs Benedict | house-smoked trout, local mustard hollandaise, wilted spinach, earth bound bread
3) Pine View Farms Chicken Sausage and Slab Bacon
4) Chef’s Garden Tomatoes | basil, feta, three farmers camelina oil
5) BBQ Peaches | blueberry, raspberry
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