Winnipeg Convention Centre
February 15 and 16, nightly 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Tickets cost $16 per person (Ticketmaster)
Website: http://www.winnipegmardigras.com
Break out the beads and get ready to party, New Orleans style.
Winnipeg's version of Mardi Gras—the annual celebration of Louisana food, music and dance—busts out February 15 and 16 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Just like the real thing, Winnipeg's local party is an all-out celebration of gluttony and good times.
Shrimp carbonara gets fired up at Mardi Gras 2013.
An expected 3,000 revelers per night will dine on shrimp carbonara with penne, oyster po' boys, gumbo, shrimp creole, crab cakes, shrimp jambalaya, deep-fried pickles and sweet potato fries, among many other deep-south delicacies.
In a recent party preview, Convention Centre executive chef Quentin Harty and his staff delivered a delicious spread loaded with southern comfort-food favourites. The centre will also ship in an alligator to create bite-sized fritters for the party.
Winnipeg's Mardi Gras 2013 is a celebration of deep-South cuisine, music and culture.
Harty and his team delivered fantastic party bites for the pre-party, party goers.
This year, the party also boasts a 300-seat oyster and wine bar. Bourbon, Jack Daniels, and mint juleps will also flow at Winnipeg's seventh annual event. Musician C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band will rock the room with Zydeco, funk and R & B.
This year's event raises money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The new year is traditionally a slow time in Winnipeg's food scene. Not this year. A record 34 restaurants have signed up for Dine About Winnipeg, a two-week long event that offers diners deals on price-fixe dinners. Starting January 24, RAW: almond, a temporary pop-up restaurant opens up on the frozen river at The Forks. The new restaurant is the work of deer + almond chef Mandel Hitzer. A handful of Winnipeg's hottest chefs will take turns serving a five-course tasting menu each night until February 2. Peg City Grub and Tourism Winnipeg are sponsors of RAW: almond.
For all the latest food, chef and restaurant news follow @PegCityGrub on Twitter.
