Our Team
Debbie Lambert, Publisher
With 45 years in print advertising sales, combining her passion for business, sales and creativity with her interest in the culinary industry seems like destiny. Born and raised in Toronto, Calgary has been home for the past 21 years where she lives with her husband Rob. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can sometimes be spotted helping at an event catered by Meraki Catering, owned by her chef daughter, Amanda. Relaxation time is spent travelling and spending time with their kids and grandchildren.
Camie Leard, Editor-in-Chief
Camie has a passion for music, food and the people who make them. A lifelong Calgarian, Camie brings 20+ years of experience telling stories about this city as an editor, communications professional and blogger. In her spare time, Camie is a painter and musician who is always looking for the next great meal.
Ellen Kelly, Contributing Editor
As a second-generation Calgarian (and third generation Albertan), Ellen’s heart and soul reside in the grasslands. Along with her passion for, and devotion to, all things food and beverage, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Savour Calgary to celebrate and promote the industry, the city and the province that she loves. During Ellen’s career, she has worn, variously and sometimes concurrently, the hats of bookseller and publisher’s rep, chef, restaurant consultant, caterer, cooking instructor and food writer. She now fills her days with Savour Calgary, writing and editing.
Wanda Baker, Marketing and Communications Manager, Digital Editor
As a young child Wanda loved watching cooking shows on PBS Saturday mornings, and credits this as the early beginnings of her interest in cooking, recipe testing, and food writing. A strong food community advocate, she’s managed events in Calgary like YYC Pizza Week, and the Culinary Race. Wanda’s been featured in Western Canadian Magazines, and on local media stations, is a professional communicator, storyteller, and conversation starter who loves to produce compelling content to create thoughtful conversations. In 2018, Meals on Wheels created The Baker Award in Wanda’s name given out annually to local restaurants recognizing community spirit during YYC Pizza Week (YYC Pizza Fest). Contact: wanda@savourcalgary.ca.
Contributors
Shelley Boettcher, Contributor
Shelley Boettcher is a former Calgary Herald staff food and wine writer, a syndicated national wine columnist for CBC Radio’s morning weekend shows and the author of three books about wine. Her stories have appeared in magazines and newspapers around the world. Follow her on Twitter @shelley_wine and Instagram @shelleyboettcher.
Bernice Hill, Contributor
Bernice Hill is the food writer, recipe developer, taster, photographer, and social media mind behind Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. She loves to create new and interesting recipes using seasonal ingredients and fun techniques. When she’s not cooking/baking/preserving, she’s out on the town enjoying great food others have prepared.
Erin Jenkins, Contributor
With messy hair and a big appetite, Erin is constantly in search of the next great meal (ideally with a view). As a writer whose secret dream is to open a restaurant, the opportunity to cover the local food scene with Savour both makes her hungry and keeps her full. Erin loves connecting with local businesses and producers, whose passion and love for their craft and community is always worth celebrating. Erin is also a musician, and you can catch her band, Crystal Eyes, playing a local show (usually at the Palomino!).
Fareen Jadavji Jessa , Contributor
Family, food, and travel are a few of Fareen Jadavji Jessa’s favourite things — and all three come together on her blog, FoodMamma.com. A passionate home cook, Fareen loves creating in the kitchen and inspiring her boys to do the same, highlighting the importance of getting kids involved in cooking. Born and raised in Calgary, she also enjoys discovering great local eats. Follow her culinary adventures on social media at @FoodMammaCOM.
Alison Martin, Illustrator
Alison Martin is an illustrator, letterer, educator and creative adventurer based in Calgary. When she isn’t teaching art to young creatives or running local workshops, she is busy refining her skills in her studio. You can also find her trying new food and drink recipes in her kitchen or searching for a flight to visit new inspiring places. Follow her adventures on Instagram @amartincreative
Susan Turnbull, Contributor
Susan Turnbull is a cook, gardener, artist, and lover of tea and travel. After running successful home-based businesses, her love of food and nutrition led to a passion for gardening, expanding from windowsill herbs to a thriving garden that yields hundreds of tomatoes and many varieties of seasonal vegetables suitable to Calgary’s climate. She continues to research daily about the impact of unprocessed, home-cooked food on overall health and well-being, and how fresh produce can play a part. Calgary has always been her home, and she loves to support and nurture relationships with local businesses.
Hetal Venmali , Contributor
Living in different countries of the world has given me a great appreciation for diverse flavors, and my time in the kitchen fuels my creativity to develop unique and delicious dishes. My love for food and understanding of its intricacies were passed down to me by my mom, Hansa, an authentic Indian cook with a sixth sense for flavor and technique. She encouraged my passion from a young age and taught me how to cook with confidence. I’m thrilled to share my passion for food by creating recipes and photography that will inspire.