YEGfood

Where #YEGChefs Eat 2.0

April 22, 2016

In this edition of Where #YEGChefs Eat we will be chatting with Matthew Garret & Simon Underwood from Moonshine Donuts and Brad Lazarenko of Culina Restaurants and Catering.

Moonshine Donuts: Matthew Garret & Simon Underwood

“Matthew will take all the cheese and all the crackers! Simon will have something (almost anything) on a piece of toast.”

Chefs: Matthew Garrett & Simon Underwood
Role: Owners and Self-taught Chefs
Years in the Industry: 5 years
Twitter: @moonshinedough
Instagram: @moonshinedoughnuts
Facebook | http://www.moonshinedoughnuts.ca/

What is your favourite restaurant and your go-to dish?

Our favorite restaurant is probably Izakaya Tomo – it’s difficult for us to choose our favorite item (we like almost everything on the menu!), but our faves are probably the Tonpei Yaki, the Takoyaki, and the Daikon Salad. We are hugely inspired by their use of colour and attention to detail in Japanese food, and we’re so fortunate to have such a great little place in Edmonton.

We also love the tartiflette from the Duchess, the Matterhorn sandwich from Swiss 2 Go, and the vegan pho from Dang Good. Oh, and a good ol’ apple fritter from Safeway on a lazy Sunday. Basically, we like anything shareable that we can enjoy with a great group of friends.

What is your favourite dish to make at home?

One of our at-home staples is lemon & dill potatoes with feta cheese & tzatziki; it’s delicious and easy meal prep for the week, which is inspired by our love of Greek food, and both Theo’s Greek Kouzina and The Little Village food truck. We also make a lot of “everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” bowls with whatever ingredients we have on hand – one of our go-tos is a spinach and BBQ chickpea bowl with polenta chips and asparagus.

Are you willing to share any recipes?

Aside from our doughnut recipes which are top secret (!) the majority of our at-home meals are usually only very loosely inspired by a recipe and are mostly made-up on the spot. As evidenced by our doughnuts, we like to play with flavor and are not scared of mixing a little of this with a little of that. Instead of sharing a recipe, we’d would rather encourage everyone to be more adventurous in the kitchen!

What is your comfort food?

Matthew will take all the cheese and all the crackers! Simon will have something (almost anything) on a piece of toast. The Moonshine team has been busy visiting New York, Los Angeles, and Kansas taking culinary training over the past few months, as they work on their new store front location in Edmonton. We can’t wait to see the new store and to taste their fried doughnuts! Until then, look for Moonshine Doughnuts at Edmonton’s amazing Farmer’s Markets.

The Matterhorn Sandwich from Swiss 2 Go.

Culina Restaurant: Brad Lazarenko

“For myself, a good sandwich. For guests, a roast chicken.”

Chef: Brad Lazarenko
Role: Founder and Executive Chef at Culina Restaurant & Catering
Years in the Industry: 28 years
Twitter: @CulinaFamily | @CulinaMuttart
Facebook | http://www.culinafamily.com/

What is your favourite restaurant and your go-to dish?

ONE of my favourite restaurants in Edmonton (I have several), is Bistro Praha, and their legendary Steak a la Tartare followed closely by their Wiener Schnitzel. Both exude comfort food to the highest level, delicious fatty goodness and always perfectly prepared.

What is your favourite dish to make at home?

For myself, a good sandwich. For guests, a roast chicken.

What is your comfort food?

It’s been sushi lately, but I would have to say pizza.

You can now find Culina’s dogwood Cafe at all 3 of Edmonton’s City Golfcourses: Victoria, Riverside, and Rundle. If you are at the ACT AAs of Spring 2015, Culina is now operating the 3 City Golfcourses, Victoria, Riverside and Rundle as well as the cafeteria at the ACT Aquacquatice Centre in Rundle Park.