The votes from this year’s Potato Week have been counted and the winners are … (drumroll)…. potato producers!
Last month, from March 1 to 10, nearly five dozen restaurants across Manitoba crafted tasty potato-themed dishes showcasing the diversity the tasty tubers deliver.
From Old-Fashioned Glazed Potato Donuts (Chez Angela Bakery And Café, Brandon) to La Prairie Flapjack Paddy Whack (Tavern United, Portage la Prairie) to Calzone di Patate (Alena Rustic Italian, Winnipeg), chefs rolled out signature recipes from traditional to outrageous, all designed to celebrate the (not so humble) spud.
Called Potato Week, the 10-day long initiative is the brainchild of Winnipeg-based Peak of the Market Ltd., a grower-owned produce company. The effort is intended both to drive traffic to restaurants at a usually slow time of year and to support and celebrate Manitoba’s potato industry. Except for a year off due to the pandemic, Potato Week has been helping build potato fans since 2018.
“Potato Week showcases the versatility of potatoes and highlights the creativity of local chefs,” says Taylor Fenn, Peak of the Market Ltd.’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
“Potato Week isn’t just about delicious bites though; it’s a chance to shine a spotlight on Manitoba growers. By participating, you’re supporting the dedicated individuals who cultivate the potatoes that inspire the innovative dishes crafted by local chefs.”
Participating restaurants get full creativity and freedom to roll out whatever potato-inspired dish they can dream up.
“The fun thing about Potato Week is you’re working with one ingredient.
“Restaurants can do whatever they want with potatoes to fit their niche and cater to the tastebuds of their customers,” says Fenn.
After digging in at participating restaurants, it’s up to diners to pick a champion based on online votes.
“Last year, the winner was Thermëa, a spa and restaurant here in Winnipeg, which put together an experimental dish. This year, our winner was the Tiki Tater, a cocktail made with potato vodka, from One Great City Brewing Co. It’s different every year.”
The much bigger winner? Potatoes themselves, and the producers who grow them.
“Manitoba is one of the largest producers of table potatoes. We think that’s a big deal,” says Fenn. “Potatoes are sometimes described as humble, but they’re a staple in people’s diets and critical to our economy and to the livelihoods of growers. Celebrating them allows us to build more connections with the public and keep people excited about having potatoes on their plates.”
Potato Week inspires many conversations about where potatoes come from, how they’re grown, and who the people are who make production – and delicious meal options – possible. Fenn encourages potato producers to take opportunities like Potato Weed and any others to proudly showcase their efforts.
“People are more interested than ever in where their food comes from,” she says. “If we share something about a grower on social media and what’s happening in the field, that’s when we see the most engagement. Consumers are super interested. It’s important for growers to share their stories and to highlight what they’re doing because it builds that connection from seed to plate.”
