Page 19 - Real Style Holiday 2018

operations (trucks are fairly seasonal) is exciting.
RS: What excites you about the 2018 street food scene?
JC: What always excites me is the constant flow of new and different trucks coming online and opening up all the time!
Ten years ago, a food truck was seen as
a greasy late-night option or a snack truck parked at a town fair or outside of a sports venue. Now the concept of a “gourmet food truck” is not just a thing, but the place where young, up-and-coming chef entrepreneurs can get their start and do their thing, their way.
The food truck scene has been the ground zero for so many new and cool concepts and in my opinion the word for 2018 continues to be “fusion.” The blending of styles and dishes from several cultures to create unique dishes that you would never see on a restaurant menu.
Where else would you expect something like a “sushi burrito” or a Philly steak n cheese with the French fries wrapped inside the sandwich to come from?
RS: What are some of your favourite Canadian foodie destinations?
JC: All parts of Canada are experiencing an incredible culinary renaissance. From Vikram Vij’s place in B.C. to the fabulous culinary delights to be had at Fogo Island! Some of my favourite meals of late have been:
• AMA steakhouse in Toronto – Sebastian is a perfect example of someone who had an amazing food truck and was doing so well he transformed it into the best Argentinian steakhouse in the 416! Choreeepaaan!
• R & D in Toronto – Perfect example of fusion; in this case, dim sum to the extreme!
• JAPADOG in Vancouver – Every time I land in Vancouver I visit one (okay, two) of these delicious things – they are a must!
• Alley Burger in Calgary – One of the original Calgary food trucks and such a great story and an even better burger! The “share burger” is a must and it launched the whole idea!
Culture News
BOOKS
BECOMING
Michelle Obama’s memoir has been one of the most anticipated books of the year, ever since it was first announced in 2017, and yet very little is known about it. Obama has stated, though that she will take readers on a deeply personal journey that will include her youth in Chicago, motherhood and of course her time living in The White House.
MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER
This satirical novel follows the story of a Nigerian woman named Korede whose younger sister Ayoola makes a habit of killing her boyfriends. When Korede finally finds someone she likes, but who likes her sister instead, she decides it’s finally time to do something about her sister’s wicked ways. The novel marks Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut.
FIRE & BLOOD
Before you get to see the end of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Fire & Ice series, the author will release this first of two parts on the history of the Targaryens in Westeros. The book promises
to answer several questions that pop up during Games of Thrones, including where the three dragon eggs Daenerys obtains come from. Go back in time and learn more about the world you’ve learned to love, before finding out how it will all end.
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