Jackie DeKnock Creates Culinary Retreat "Gourmet Safari" Near Peterborough

Jackie gets help from Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan, who fluffs the rice. Photo: Julie MorrisJackie DeKnock and her husband Dan have set up a culinary retreat just outside of Peterborough in Mount Pleasant called Gourmet Safari. PtboCanada was there yesterday as part of a kind of culinary workshop organized by Kruz FM's Catherine Hanrahan. Jackie's growing business is coming together as a bed and breakfast and kitchen "studio" with hands-on cooking lessons.

The focus is on global cuisine, as Jackie has travelled the world during her last job at British Airways. Cooking and traveling are her two passions, so she took cooking classes and also learned about the importance of nutritional values. 

Jackie started her business by teaching cooking for two little girls, then moved on to men's cooking classes. She then added group classes, a Tapas birthday party and a couple's cooking class (they enjoyed it so much that they want to come back monthly).

There are a few spots left in Jackie's March Break Children's Cooking Camp, where kids explore culinary delights from the likes of Italy, Greece, Thailand, Mexico and Egypt.

Delicious kabobs served by Jackie and Dan. Photo: Evan Holt

For more info, check out Jackie's website. Jackie also appears on Kruz FM with Quick and Delicious Dish recipes every week.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Get NaKeD In The Patch This Valentine's Day

NaKeD Chocolate (382 George Street) was opened in the summer of 2009 by Warren Eley, a professional chocolatier. The aroma of chocolate fills the air the moment you open the doors of the shop and your eyes quickly start admiring the many displays of delectable chocolates from around the world showcased behind the counter and throughout the store.

Flavours like chocolate ganache combined with chilli, cayenne, ancho, and jalapeno peppers named the Aztec or, one of my personal favourites, the Chai Tiger made up of black tea, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and milk chocolate ganache.  

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, check out NaKed's specials and drop by the shop to pick something out for that special someone. And don't forget to treat yourself too!

[NaKeD Chocolate]

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough Folk Festival News: Submission Deadline & Band Promotion 101 Workshop Coming Up!

Memories of the 2010 PFF. The deadline for performer submissions to the 2011 Peterborough Folk Festival is February 28th, and submission guidelines can be found on PtboFolkFest.com. 

PFF receives more than 1,000 submissions from artists around the world each year, and is known Canada-wide for breaking new acts. Coming off a highly successful 2010 PFF, this year's PFF takes place Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28, 2011—so mark it on your calendars!

PFF Artistic Director Candace Shaw, who PtboCanada spotlighted last year in this Q&A, is also hosting a Band Promotion 101 workshop on February 2 at Sadleir House in Peterborough. Designed with the emerging artist in mind, Shaw draws on her many years of experience in the music industry to help up-and-coming artists understand the art of self-promotion. Cost is only $10, and participants must register at PtboFolkFest.com.

[Peterborough Folk Festival; PtboCanada Interview: Candace Shaw, Artistic Director of Peterborough Folk Festival; 2010 Peterborough Folk Festival]

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Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend

Friday

Snofest Family Swim (6:30 p.m. - Free) Sport & Wellness Centre

Saturday

Snofest Pancake Breakfast (9:00 a.m. - Free) East Peterborough Lion's Club

Wild Rock Outfitters: Nordic Ski Glide Wax Clinic (9 a.m. - $10/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

Snofest: SnoGames on Armour Hill (includes Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Hockey Shootout, SnoGolf) (10 a.m. - Free) Outside the Peterborough Museum

Wild Rock Outfitters: Snowshoe Demo (10:30 a.m.) Trent University Nature Trails

Trent University: Athletics Centre Community Open House (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Schedule) - Free)

Snofest: Chilli Contest (1:30 p.m.) Heritage Pavilion

Sunday

Wild Rock Outfitters: Classic Ski Lessons (10 a.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Stella Star of the Orient (10:30 a.m. - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

Wild Rock/B!ke Winter Group Bike Ride (12:00 p.m.) 

Wild Rock Outfitters: Skate Ski Lessons (1 p.m. - $25/person) Kawartha Nordic Ski Club

REELKids Film Festival: Letter for the King (1:30 - $5/person or $15 for four) Showplace

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

"Dr. Doug" Hosting A Wellness Extravaganza In Peterborough January 20th

Local chiropractor "Dr. Doug" (aka Doug Lukinuk, former Adam Scott basketball legend and the guy instrumental for this Hoop Dreams project in the Patch) is having a wellness extravaganza on Thursday, January 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

There will be prizes and giveaways, discounts on supplements and services, as well as info sessions on various health related topics.

There will also be an opportunity to try out the latest technology (a new non-invasive 3D system) to check how healthy your body really is, and a live cooking demo with Dr. Doug's personal wellness chef that will provide healthy and delicious meal options.

Call 705.741.4404 to reserve your spot. 

[Dr. Doug on Facebook, Dr. Doug's website]

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Reggie's HotGrill To Appear On New Food Network Show "You Gotta Eat Here!"

Yes, it's true. Reggie's HotGrill will be appearing on a new TV show slated to air later this year on Food Network Canada called You Gotta Eat Here!. Filming took place today at Reggie's, where PtboCanada's Julie Morris snapped the below shots.

[Reggie's HotGrill]

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PtboCanada Was There: Peterborough Snofest Opening Ceremonies

The Scroll and Bow Strings Orchestra marked the opening of Peterborough Snofest today with a musical treat. Headed by Lakefield College music teacher John Kraus, they delighted the audience with their festive music.

Master of Ceremonies Catherine Hanrahan (pictured above) introduced many VIPs, including Mayor Daryl Bennett (pictured cutting the ribbon below), MPP Jeff Leal, Councillor Lesley Parnell and Snofest mascot Snofest Pete.

The ribbon cutting ceremony opens a week of events which can be viewed on their calendar, including Sunday's Snofest Idol at 2 p.m. at Showplace (free admission with nonperishable food donation is appreciated) and numerous food and game events throughout the week.

[Snofest]

[Words and Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Peterborough Snofest Winter Carnival Begins This Weekend!

Snofest gets underway this Saturday (January 8th) and runs through the 16th at various locations around the Patch. Opening ceremonies take place starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Lansdowne Place. Snofest has been an annual tradition providing entertainment and activities for the whole family for more than 30 years. Check out the Snowfest brochure for the event and location listings throughout the city during the carnival.  

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

[Snofest; chextvDOTcom]

It Was Happy Hogmanay at Hutchison House!

Hutchison House rolled in the New Year in Scottish fashion today by celebrating Hogmanay.

Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year, where the festivities usually last well into the first day of the New Year.

Today from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the community was invited to share in this celebration by sampling traditional Scottish eats including the Scotch Black Bun, Clooty dumplings, Scotch eggs, oatcakes, and haggis.  

It was truly wonderful to have the opportunity to wander through the Hutchison House museum, one of the many places throughout the city that have been on my bucket list to visit. I enjoy so much learning more about the history of the former residents and families of our community.

Great conversations and New Year's greetings were shared amongst the visitors as fiddle and bagpipe music played throughout.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris - Pictures by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Some of the Stuff PtboCanada Has Covered This Year

So we started this blog all about Peterborough in May. And it's been fun. Really fun. Peterborough, you rock. In one long run-on sentence, here's some of the stuff we've covered since we launched about 8 months ago: 

We've covered the life of a Peterborough ER doctor, Jake's closure, The International Dragon Boat Festival, Reggie's HotGrill, a smoking dude on a bike during the gas leak, Have You Seen Video..., a rock star of posters, a guy who draws, a mural man, the Christmas Parade, the Canada Day Parade, the Arkells at the Red Dog, happy people, people lying down, an anti-bullying event, a breakfast program, a zombie crawl, a yarn shop, a snow sculpture, an email that was the talk of the mayoral race, the YWCA shelter, a cheesy store, a book store, a person who misses Peterborough, the CIBC Run for the Cure, a dude who called on a wrestler in the Memorial Centre parking lot, awesome bands, the Peterborough Folk Festival, Focus Fair, 3 Loonie event, the Old Stone Symphony, Dean Del Mastro yearbook pics, Jay Scotland and Lois Tuffin taking a dip, beaches, bars & restaurants, Peterborough Square in 1987, Sarah Harmer at the Gordon Best, Twitterborough, and a BIG garage sale.

Thanks to all our contributors and readers, and all those who have been tipping us and following us on Twitter. Please continue to spread the word about PtboCanada.

[Related: Video: Peterborough Year in Review]