ESTEVAN — The Old Stone Inn bed and breakfast in Estevan was thrust into the spotlight a couple of times this month.
Owner Laurie Wall competed in the Prairie Fire Culinary Challenge in early April. While she didn’t win, Wall still raved about the experience and her partner.
Wall was paired with Meg Delos Reyes, a culinary student from Saskatoon who originally hailed from the Philippines. Wall said Delos Reyes was excellent – a young, driven and vivacious woman who had some really great ideas.
“We created an appetizer, a main course and a dessert, and also the day of the competition, we each chose a black box with some secret ingredients,” she said.
The appetizer was a Filipino-style ceviche that had a Scottish touch courtesy of Wall. They also incorporated some langoustines into the dish.
Wall and Delos Reyes didn’t get to prepare any of the food ahead of time, so they were working hard in the kitchen during the competition.
“The meal turned out really well. I was really proud of us for what we accomplished, because we did some heavy dishes that were a bit time consuming, and we’re not working in our own kitchens either, so there was always that factor of … do we have this piece of equipment, just making sure we had our equipment gathered and organized, and of course we were graded on that as well," said Wall.
They had to share burners with the other entrants, but Wall noted the industry has come a long ways from when she first started, when chefs could be domineering and aggressive. Now Wall believes they’re supportive and co-operative.
The judges didn’t announce the results outside of the top three, she said, but Wall noted she didn’t go into the competition thinking she would win. Working in a restaurant is different from what she does, because she doesn’t have a set menu.
“I like to work with my clients and give them an individual and a personalized experience here, and that’s great for people. But for me it’s really, really difficult to maintain that, constantly making new and trying to change my dishes constantly. That’s a challenge that I love because I don’t like to do anything too repetitious."
One of the reasons why she accepted the invite was the chance to talk to the other chefs about Estevan and encourage them to come see what the city is all about. Wall believes what Estevan has is “really special”.
“We have some great restaurants now, but there’s always room for some more competition,” said Wall.
She earned the opportunity to be part of the competition through her appearance on Flat Out Food, which was filmed last fall and aired April 22 on CityTV in Saskatchewan. Wall noted Flat Out Food host Jenn Sharp is a big supporter of Saskatchewan restaurants and also knows Wall is an advocate for the southeast.
“I was really lucky that I got that opportunity and she thought of me in those terms,” said Wall.
As part of the Flat Out Food episode, Sharp spoke to a few people about their use of sage. Then everyone profiled in the show met at the Old Stone Inn for a meal prepared by Wall.
She praised her experience with Flat Out Food and its host.
“I think the quality of the production is Netflix worthy. The Halter Media is amazing at what they do. Jen is a great host. She makes you feel comfortable and she gives you some great tips along the way.”
Sharp focuseed on who is growing sage the best and doing something cool with the ingredient, gives a little background or history on the ingredient, and then had Wall come in and do something unique with it.
Wall noted sage is close to her heart.
“A huge plus for me to be in Estevan is to be close to my mom’s farm that she has down in the Souris Valley, seven miles north of North Portal. Sage just grows wild there, and the smell of that, I’m always grabbing it off the ground and smelling it. It always brings back so many memories for me.”
Wall prepared Souris Flats Ranch lamb, Justin Marcotte’s pork and sage from Alyssa Murray, and Wall was pleased to see them, and the inn, gain added exposure.
“I’m a huge proponent of supporting local makers, growers and raisers in this community, and I think we have some fabulous people here," she said.
Wall enjoyed watching the episode, although she didn't have a watch party.
“As an outsider coming in, I think Jenn and the crew were really impressed with Estevan and the growers and people around here,” said Wall.
