A catering business that specializes in exotic spices and gourmet dishes has landed a special client.
Flavour Trader, a city shop that invites patrons on a "taste bud journey," will be serving newly-appointed Gov. Gen. Julie Payette during her Yellowknife stop in her journey to the North.
Flavour Trader will be catering a dinner for Payette, who arrives Tuesday, after a month-long approval process. Owner and operator Etienne Croteau told Yellowknifer that getting the green-light was worth the wait.
"I'm really happy. It's an honour," he said.
So what's on the menu for the Queen's Canadian representative? According to Croteau, Tuesday night's full course dinner is all about showcasing Northern flavours and tastes.
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo
"The ingredients used in the menu are linked to the land of the North," he said.
The event, which will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Canadian Armed Forces' Joint Task Force North building, is more than just business for Croteau. It's personal, too. With Payette hailing from his home province of Quebec, he hopes to meet the Governor General.
"It would be really nice. We could speak French together," he laughed.
Tuesday night's meal will consist of the following dishes:
- Salad
Great Slave lake smoked white fish salad, kale, swiss char, spinach, beets & pumpkin seeds with a dressing of NWT wild cranberries. - Soup
Leak cream soup with tarragon, served with a NWT wild rose bannock. - Main courses
NWT wild morels & boletus bison stew flavoured with NWT Juniper berries. Arctic char & Great Slave lake trout puffy pie topped with NWT mastutake & caramelized shallots. - Sides
Crispy veggies and scallop potatoes made with potatoes from the Northern Farm Training Institute in Hay River. - Dessert
Yellow apple and goose berries crumble with a smoky maple butterscotch.
