A big shout-out to A Canadian Foodie, the blog penned by ardent Edmonton foodie, volunteer and educator, Valerie Lugonja. The blog has just been recognized in two categories in the 2013 Canadian Weblog Awards. Lugonja won first place in the Lifetime Achievement category, and second place in the food blog category.

This is a well-deserved nod; Lugonja is devoted to her blog, and also to the food community in Edmonton, and across Canada through the Slow Food movement. Check out her latest baby, The Canadian Food Experience Project, on her blog.

The awards have been running for four years and are organized by a Saskatchewan blogger named Elan Morgan (Schmutzie.com). This year, there were 492 blogs nominated in 34 categories. The categories run the gamut from activism blogs, to those concerned with business, the arts, green living and parenthood. canadianweblogsawards.com

– Shannon and Danny Ruzicka, together with RGE RD’s chef Blair Lebsack and Caitlin Fulton, are hosting a unique dinner party for 25 people at a farm near Viking. The unique part is that the party is outside. The event takes place Jan. 18 and it’s $200 a ticket.

The winter outdoor dinner is an extension of the parties hosted by the foursome for the last few summers at the Ruzicka farm, Nature’s Green Acres. The food and hospitality has been wonderful — farm-to-fork in the truest sense — and I would expect the winter version to be of the same high calibre, and with sleigh rides. Guests will arrive to furs, fire and fantastic food.

Source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com