Our regular Market Report feature takes us on a culinary adventure, showcasing two Calgary businesses passionate about pushing culinary boundaries. First, we’ll explore Rustic Plate – Tempura on the Prairies, where Chef Diyan Weerapura’s global travels translate into unique Japanese-European fusion dishes. Next, we delve into the world of fine cheese at Say Cheese Fromagerie, where Isaac Bignell curates a haven for cheese connoisseurs and adventurous foodies alike.
So, whether you’re craving a global bite or a cheese-filled adventure, Calgary’s vibrant market scene has something for you!
Story by Erin Jenkins
RUSTIC PLATE
Calgarians hoping to do a little “travel with their tastebuds,” take note: Rustic Plate – Tempura on the Prairies is bringing the world to YYC with a global (and delicious) perspective on food.
Chef Diyan Weerapura is the definition of a true world traveller. He speaks five languages and has lived all over the globe – from Japan to Europe to Beirut. Happily, he has now settled in Calgary, where he’s offering up his considerable global food knowledge to a hungry public.
With a little help from his wife, Dimi, Weerapura has translated 23 years of experience working alongside Michelin-starred chefs from the world’s top foodie destinations into a unique, tempura-forward Japanese-European fusion cuisine that only someone with his global experience could conjure.
Customer favourites include fish ‘n’ chips done Japanese-tempura style, characterized by its light and crunchy batter; and chicken karaage, a Japanese fried chicken. Behind the scenes, he’s been working on new menu items, including a celebration of the “croffle” – a cross between a waffle and a croissant. Expect playful sweet and savoury variations, like fried chicken and croffle (a take on the classic chicken and waffles), served with raclette cheese, a Swiss favourite (did we mention Weerapura also lived in Switzerland?).
Everything Rustic Plate serves is homemade, from its hand-cut fries to a “wasabi tartar” and creamy teriyaki sauce, all sourced using local ingredients wherever possible. Weerapura also has significant experience preparing vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes, and can accommodate special requests and dietary needs. The philosophy is all about making the opportunity to try new foods accessible, affordable and delicious. So go ahead, take a little trip around the world with Rustic Plate.
Rustic Plate – Tempura on the Prairies | Fresh & Local Market + Kitchens | 426, 12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. | 587.703.9673 | rusticplate.ca
SAY CHEESE
Sure, cheese lovers can be found everywhere, but for Isaac Bignell, cheese isn’t just a tasty dairy product formed by the coagulation of milk proteins – cheese is life.
As the dynamic force behind the legendary Say Cheese, a Calgary institution located in the Crossroads Market, Bignell offers a glimpse into the unique world of cheese and all the delicious things that go with it.
A boutique retailer, Say Cheese carries a range of products from the classics to a rotating menu of spectacular and special cheeses otherwise rarely found in YYC. The shop includes a retail side with jams, chutneys and preserves, high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar and, of course, caviar (“caviar is one my weaknesses,” Bignell admits) – everything you’ll need to throw a bougie event.
Say Cheese is all about the culinary curiosities that make life worth living. On any given day, you’ll find fun surprises like morel mushrooms or exotic fruits like Buddha’s hand citrus (a citron variety with fruit segmented into finger-like sections). In addition to these specialty items, Say Cheese includes what Bignell lovingly refers to as the “second-hand cheese shop,” giving high-quality cheeses a second chance at life while keeping them out of the landfill and providing an affordable gateway into the world of specialty cheese.
But Say Cheese is more than just food – it’s a lifestyle. Calgarians can enjoy special events, like Opera & Cheese (featuring an opera singer serenading a block of cheese), or join the Say Cheese Club, with a new wine and cheese offering every two weeks (interested parties should inquire within the shop). Bignell also brings his love of travel to his work, most recently embarking on a trip to Europe to meet with cheese producers across the region, an experience he found incredibly inspiring. “To share your vocation is a special thing, to meet producers who share in the love and beauty of cheese – it fills your cup,” he says.
Say Cheese Fromagerie | Crossroads Market | 1235 26th Ave. S.E. | 587.216.1677 | @saycheeseyyc
Leave A Comment