Recap: 3rd Annual Interactive Blogger Dinner at the Fairmont Macdonald

This year I was fortunate enough to be invited back to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald’s 3rd Annual Interactive Blogger Dinner!

The behind-the-scenes cooking experience puts me and four other food lovers inside the Fairmont’s kitchens, working alongside the hotel’s talented chefs to create a delicious, three-course meal that we also get to eat!

It’s such a fun (and tasty) experience that I’ve suggested the Fairmont hold it as a regular, ticketed event!

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Lincoln’s excited about the pepper! lol

Once everyone had arrived, we were split off and assigned to different courses with different chefs.

Lincoln Ho of YEGVentures and I were tasked with the main entree – making sous vide duck breast with duck confit arancini and morel mushrooms with Chef Jiju Paul.

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Ready to cook!

It’s not really an intensive cooking class (it’s certainly not meant to be). The chefs really lead the charge and we jump in for certain aspects.

The majority of the prep work is also done and laid out for us to do the final steps (otherwise the event would be need to be a full day long! lol).

The beauty is getting up close and personal with chefs Serge Jost, Jiju Paul and Ryan Watson, who are happy to answer our cooking questions along the way.

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Liane Faulder working on the gazpacho appetizer!

There is something extra special about eating meals you’ve had a hand in creating!

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Searing the duck.

The evening was also a great opportunity to learn about some upcoming special events taking place at the Fairmont.

They just had a very successful Spanish wine dinner at the end of May, and on June 23, they’re teaming up with Taste Alberta for a special, locally-inspired four-course dinner “Prairie on a Plate!”

June is also Pork Month, so they’re offering some pork specials, and this was a nice reminder of the hotel’s everyday, $25 three-course, express lunch deal. Did you know they offer that?

Steal of a deal, and great if you work downtown.

Also, be sure to watch for upcoming dinner buffets (starting June 17!)

So many tasty things!

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Plating the entree!

After our kitchen adventures, we headed out to The Harvest Room to dig in, and chat with Chef Jost about Edmonton’s food scene.

I always love talking to Chef Jost because he’s so passionate about what he does (and has been in the industry for so long – he has a wealth a food knowledge and experience!)

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Digging into the first course!

We were also treated to a flambe coffee demonstration from Antosh Setty! (Like dinner and a show – so much fun!)

I’m always excited to visit the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald – especially for intimate, interactive events like these.

The Fairmont is my favourite hotel brand and their incredible food (great service, and generally fantastic views) are a big reason for that love.

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Chocolate and mango with salted caramel ice cream for dessert!

Thank you to Chefs Jost, Paul, and Watson, and the whole Fairmont team for a wonderful evening (and awesome, custom chef jackets we got to take home with us!)

Check out Cindy’s recap of last year’s event and my recap from the first event back in 2014.

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Interactive Blogger Dinner - Edmonton

Our team tonight!

How fun would doing something like be as a date night or friend’s night out? Even a small corporate team function.

I hope the Fairmont open this type of activity up to all Edmontonians – I think it’d really be a hit!

Looking forward to my next Hotel Macdonald meal – you should be planning yours too! Hit up the patio this summer. Easily the best patio view in the city.

Linda

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Disclaimer: I will always provide my 100% honest opinion on this blog. I was invited by the Fairmont Macdonald to participate in their interactive blogger dinner, which included eating what we made! This has no impact on opinions stated in this post. 

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