Calgary Herald: By Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
Published Jun 30, 2023
Speaking of food that speaks to the beauty of our country, renowned chef and cookbook author Shane Chartrand has joined the team at the Maple Leaf restaurant in Banff as co-executive chef. The best way to get a taste of Chartrand’s signature culinary style is to order from a new feature menu he’s created to honour his own Indigenous culture and traditions as well as the Indigenous history of the Banff townsite, which sits on Treaty 7 territory.
The menu, designed to be ordered a la carte, includes exquisitely prepared dishes like a cinnamon-cured salmon appetizer with honey and birch glazed carrots and pumpkin seeds ($24), an 8-ounce piece of bison tenderloin with house applesauce, root vegetables, and potatoes ($80), cornmeal-crusted rainbow trout with wilted wild onions and deviled eggs ($45). For dessert, there is a huckleberry galette ($14), made with a recipe handed down from Chartrand’s father’s family.
“Indigenous culinary experiences showcase the deep connection between food, culture, and the land, providing visitors with an authentic taste of local cuisine,” Chartrand says. “The menu and my presence at The Maple Leaf provides a positive space to experience my food and tradition as feasts are a part of ceremonies, mindsets, and overall joy.
The Maple Leaf is at 137 Banff Ave. in Banff. For more information or to see Chartrand’s full feature menu, visit banffmapleleaf.com.