GUELPH, ON, Oct. 19, 2023 /CNW/ - Crafty Ramen, an Ontario-based brand reimagining the ramen experience through restaurant, grocery retail and ecommerce channels, is landing in Alberta in a big way. Offering an innovative take on traditional ramen, Crafty Ramen's frozen meals are now available for online ordering across most of the province including Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, Canmore, Red Dear, Medicine Hat, and at select grocery stores, including all Calgary Co-Ops and most Federated Co-Op locations across the province.

"Community and connection live at the heart of Crafty Ramen. Being able to bring all of Canada together over a bowl of ramen, and share the comfort that comes with that, is really a dream come true," said Miki Ferrall, Crafty Ramen co-founder and VP of operations. "Our dishes are something we're very proud of – so much care and attention goes into making each bowl imaginative and memorable; we're so excited to continue to grow our community and bring our uniquely Canadian ramen to Alberta."

Named one of Canada's Top Growing Companies for the second consecutive year in 2023, and recognized nationally after a successful appearance on the 17^th season of CBC's Dragons' Den, Crafty Ramen's commitment to quality and creativity has helped fuel their exceptional growth since the opening of their flagship restaurant in Guelph, Ontario in 2017, and the launch of their frozen ramen meal delivery service in 2020.

Now they're taking freezers and frozen aisles by storm – and can't wait to share their newest ramen innovation with Albertans. Ready in seven minutes, Crafty Ramen's frozen ramen combines each of their house-made ingredients in one solid 'puck' of ramen, frozen fresh to lock in flavour and form; all you need to do is heat and eat. Designed to fit right in a bowl, it's like taking a hot bowl of ramen from their restaurants and putting it in the freezer. Ranging from $13 to $14.50 per single serving and featuring 10 chef-crafted meat or vegetarian options, a stovetop and a pot or a microwave is all that's needed to enjoy restaurant-quality ramen at home.

Vancouver, BC, October 18, 2023 - Vancouver’s only Relais & Chateaux property, Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, has appointed talented Samson Iza-Fellows as Bacchus Restaurant’s new pastry chef. Samson Iza-Fellows has worked at some of the city’s most illustrious establishments and is ready to showcase his sweet tooth to guests and visitors alike.

"Samson has been an incredible addition to our culinary team at Bacchus, and his desserts are simply some of the bests,” says Elpie Marinakis, co-owner and managing director of Wedgewood Hotel & Spa. “His passion for his art truly shines through with every dish, and we’re excited for him to further unveil his creations with our upcoming new Afternoon Tea menu. Guests have already been raving about the delectable, sweet finishes they’ve experienced with Samson’s current creations.”

Iza-Fellows has worked closely under some of Vancouver’s top pastry chefs, including at award-winning Thomas Haas, Nemesis Coffee’s Dopehouse Bakehouse, and most recently, perennial favourite Blue Water Cafe.

He got his start in the culinary world by spending time at The Cordova Express, his family’s restaurant, where he was imbibed invaluable life lessons while working front-of-house and getting to know the regulars. Then, his love for the art of cooking was born in a humble corner of the kitchen, seated on an overturned bucket.

His professional journey commenced at Terroni, a beloved Toronto Italian eatery, after which he joined the company’s newly launched bakery. This pivotal moment introduced him to Claro Lazzarino, a pastry master under whose mentorship Samson honed his skills and became an integral part of a team of emerging pastry chefs. Years later, he reunited with Lazzarino to work at some of Toronto’s premier restaurant groups, including at La Société, Citta, Patria, and Byblos.

"It’s truly a pleasure to be part of the amazing Bacchus culinary team and work alongside the legendary Stefan once again,” adds Iza-Fellows. “I wanted to make Vancouver my home to be closer to family, but also because the city has one of the country’s most blossoming restaurant scenes. I look forward to creating memorable sweet finishes for our guests."

Guests can enjoy Iza-Fellows’ creations in Bacchus’s new Traditional Afternoon Tea experience, featuring a variety of his pastries and sweets, including: chocolate-dipped profiteroles with hazelnut creme, tiramisu verrine with fraises compote, opera cake with milk chocolate glaze, and lemon tartlet with Italian meringue.

A la carte wise, his desserts include the popular Deconstructed Cheesecake with meringue, raspberries, and tonka bean ice cream, and the Back Forest Gateau with chocolate mousse, dacquoise, kirsch cream, cherry confiture, chocolate cremeux, and cherry sorbet.

For more information about Bacchus, please visit www.wedgewoodhotel.com.

Vancouver, October 17, 2023 - The red sauce joint at the north end of Commercial Drive, Pepino’s Spaghetti House, has expanded its menu for fall! Time-tested and heartwarming dishes – from a new application of a sauce regulars know and love to an old family recipe – now being served at the Mouse.

“At Pepino’s, we’re known for our classics so we don’t want to mess with that…but we do want to keep things fresh,” says Paul Grunberg, co-founder of Banda Volpi, the gang behind Osteria Savio Volpe, Pepino’s Spaghetti House, Caffè La Tana, and the upcoming Elio Volpe. “Chefs Phil and Vish have done an excellent job creating the kinds of dishes that become instant favourites and complement our menu mainstays. Don’t worry, the mozzarella sticks, and spaghetti & meatballs aren’t going anywhere.”

Now Mouse guests can start the meal with an Antipasti Platter – salumi, provolone, pickled peppers, and marinated olives & artichoke hearts, with sourdough; followed by a tangy Arugula Salad with peperoncini, pecorino, confit garlic and capers; and some old school Manila Clams Fra Diavolo with chilies, garlic, white wine and marinara.

For the pasta course, a classic-with-a-twist Linguine ai Gamberi – prawns in a rich clam stock with garlic, white wine, marinara, and jalapeños; followed by hand rolled Ricotta and Herb Cannelloni in pomodoro, a family recipe from Banda Volpi culinary director Phil Scarfone. “The filling – ricotta, cheddar, Parmigiano, and pecorino – is my mom’s recipe, verbatim. She used it in her special stuffed shells, made only for birthdays and Christmas…the smell of it coming out of the oven brings back fond memories of family gatherings and burning my tongue every damn time!”

Finally, head chef Vish Mayekar recommends a side of the new and crispier Fried Brussels Sprouts with his showstopping Roasted Chicken – a six hour lemon brined, bone-in half chicken with capers and brown butter sauce, well-known to regulars as the legendary piccata sauce.

“We love that our guests are open to try new things and are enjoying the new dishes,” adds Mayekar, who joined the team in 2021.

Select items are also available for take-out, along with Pepino’s full menu of Detroit-style pizza.

Pepino’s Spaghetti House is open seven days a week, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations recommended. For more information, please visit www.pepinos.ca.

Burnaby, BC, October 17, 2023 — Famoso Italian Pizzeria has come to Burnaby, BC, with a new location that opened on October 13th, 2023, at 4415 Skyline Drive in the Solo District near Brentwood. The newest Famoso is a dual-branded concept with the existing Ricky’s Café, a vibrant, streamlined concept offering delicious food and professional and courteous service – all in a friendly, urban retail environment. With the addition of Famoso Italian Pizzeria, there will be even more delicious dining options for the residents of the Brentwood area.

The first Famoso opened in Edmonton in 2007 and is known for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, which has regularly won awards as a guest favourite. Famoso is passionate about authentic Italian pizza, using imported Italian bell ovens, fresh, premium ingredients, and traditional culinary techniques in pizza making that have gone unchanged for generations.

Plus, dining options are available to guests yearning for even more of a true Italian flavour. Family recipes inspire the menu and include favourites like home recipe pastas, Italian-style sandwiches, great signature salads, a wide selection of craft beers on tap, and of course, Italian-inspired desserts… traditional house-made Tiramisu, cheesecake, and artisan gelato. With a menu great for dates, friends, and family dining and delivery, Famoso is the perfect complement to the existing Ricky’s restaurant.

One of the unique features of this new dining concept is the way the takeout counter has been built to be such an integral part of the restaurant space—it has upped the takeout game to a whole new level, and the folks who live and work around the Solo District are going to absolutely love it! Pastas, flatbreads, custom-made sandwiches, fresh grilled paninis, wraps, burgers, fish and chips, calamari and all kinds of tasty appetizers are available in a hurry at the takeout bar.

Raymond Ho, VP of Marketing for FDF Brandz, is excited to add Famoso to their Ricky’s Café, Burnaby, BC, location. “With the addition of Famoso Pizzeria, we’ve got bigger and even more convenient dining options available to our patrons who are looking to enjoy a true Italian flavour,” adding that “the stylish, casual pizzeria embodies the look of a neighbourhood pizzeria with a modern flair and is a perfect place for sharing with family and friends.”

With fast express takeout, online ordering, and delivery services, guests can enjoy their favourite Ricky’s breakfast or an authentic Famoso Neapolitan pizza, all in the comfort of their own homes.