If you were out and about last weekend you might have seen me doing some pretty crazy things! If you were at Art-Is-Bakery you might have seen me laying a smooch on Kevin’s portrait. If you were picking up some fresh pasta from La Bottega, you may have seen me with a massive Nuttella over my head. If you were driving past the Bridgehead on Wellingtion Street West you may have seen me doing a yoga bridge. All of these crazy activities and more were part of the second annual Ottawa Foodie Challenge.
The Ottawa Foodie Challenge is an annual event that gets people off their butts and out into our amazing city. Not only does it encourage people to explore Ottawa’s vibrant food scene but it also raises money for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Our day started off at Urban Element at 9:00am for the launch party. Thanks a million to Bridgehead and Life of Pie for the yummy, yummy scones and coffee. At the launch party we go the list of challenges. None of the clues were too hard to figure out (other than one!) but some of the challenges were a little interesting! Here’s the list of challenges:
1.”Play” with your wine, find where Rick Mercer helps hold up the wall. Picture with you and this item! 10pts
Signed Wine Bottle at Play Food & Wine
2. Star light, star bright, maybe I should have some GELATO tonight? Snap a shot of you at this location! 10pts
They were so nice, they took a picture of us!
3. Picture of you licking the sugar heart sheet at Thimblecakes 10pts
Yummy!
4. Search and you will find a red apron on Gladstone (hint: please place apron back where you discovered it – we’re watching!) 10pts
5. Get behind the curtain at ZaZaZa 5pts
It was amazing what was behind there!
6. You and a jar of hot fudge sauce at Thyme & Again 5pts
It smelt sooo good in there!
7. Find the art deco on the wall and play bar tender behind the bar at Burnt Butter 10pts
I really wanted to have a drink! But they did have some amazing truffles waiting for us! Thanks!
8. Lay a smooch on Kevin’s portrait at Art-is-in 5pts
This was a little embarrassing, there were tons of people watching.
9. Crawl down Preston with a plate on your head! (Make sure we can see the Little Italy street sign!) 10pts
You can't really see me but I am there!
10. You at any of Ottawa Magazine’s Top 10 restaurants of 2011 with the November issue of Ottawa Magazine 5pts (max 5 restaurants) + 5 points if you’re high-fiving the chef at the same time
Oz Cafe
Navarra
Murray Street Restaurant
Town
18
11. Venture to the back lane of Back Lane Cafe and take a picture of you and what fuels their fire! 5pts
Wood for the fire!
12. One chance (and we mean ONE CHANCE) to perfect your pour at Kichesippi brewing head quarters 10pts
The perfect pint! Even the guys at Kitchissippi said so!
13. You in front of Allium with the main ingredient to their most popular dessert 10pts
Yum banana!
14. You and a cinnamon bun from Baker Street Cafe 5pts
This place was crazy busy! Need to go!
15. You and any “truffle” product at Jacobson’s 5pts for each different item (max 5 items)
16. You and a tagine 10pts
I want one of these!
17. You at any bagel shop with a bagel on your finger, +1 pt for each finger holding a bagel. (max 10)
And I ate them all!!!
18. You grilling a hot dog anywhere but at home 10pts
In a trip truck! Sarah was a ROCK star!
19. You and any vendor at Ottawa’s first Sunday only outdoor organic market 5pts (hint: Some Ottawa Magazines are hanging out there- ask and you will find)
20. You and a Kraft single beside the most expensive piece of cheese you can find 10pts, +20 points if your cheese is the most expensive of the entire challenge- the REAL price tag must be in the photo
$109 a kilogram!
21. You doing a yoga bridge in front of any Bridgehead 5 pts
This was embarrassing, some people were staring!
22. You in front of the street sign of one of Hintonburger’s burger names 5pts/street sign
23. You holding a live “Sebastien” from the Little Mermaid 20pts
Under the sea!
24. You and a bottle of Ontario sparkling wine 5 pts
Signed Wine Bottle at Play Food & Wine
25. You and the coffee roaster from I deal Coffee 5pts
26. You and any Ottawa food blogger on this list, + 10 pts for each blogger you hunt down! (max 2 bloggers)
Me and one the winners! @hilaryduffcu
27. You and a table from Raw Sugar Café 5pts
28. You and the Beer Bible from Pub Italia 10pts
I could've used a beer!
29. You in front of Ottawa’s most notorious molecular gastronomy restaurant 10pts
30. You at Life of “3.14” with a “3.14” 10pts
Thanks for the pie it was crazy yummy!
31. You bench pressing the $79.99 dollar Nutella jar at La Bottega 5pts
Surprisingly heavy!
32. You rolling a sushi roll anywhere but at home 20 pts
Rolling sushi in the park and in the dark!
33. You and holding a butcher knife with a blood-stained butcher 10pts
Thanks Aubrey's Meat - you guys are the best!
34. You waiting in line at the Manx with a disapproving face 5pts
No line so I am acting - I think I should win an Oscar!
35. You with a cake with your team name on it 10pts
36. You shaving chicken off any shawarma skewer 10pts
37. You sporting a chef jacket 10pts + 5pts if you rocking a chef’s hat
My new look
38. It’s tea time! You with your pinky in the air at Zoe’s Lounge 5 pts
39. Make a memory in front of Memories 5 pts
Sweet memory!
40. You juggling lychee fruit 10pts
I will never work in a circus!
As you can see there was lots to get done in one day! We got almost everything done, other than shaving chicken for a shawarma and we couldn’t find the red aprons (even though we went to Red Apron!). We had a great time running around the city and completing all of the tasks. We thought going into the after party we might have a chance to win it all. But alas we didn’t. A huge congrats to team YUKON do it, who not only got the most points but also did the entire day on bikes!!!
This was a great event that benefited a great cause. There are a few things that I would improve but nothing is ever perfect. Make sure to keep in eye on The Ottawa Foodie Challenge website to sign up for next year. Just be ready for when we kick your butt!
Adventures of an Ottawa Foodie 