Former ‘Dine Kalyna’ organizers vow to keep local event a ‘Gourmet Affair’

Michael Simpson

Staff Writer

The Kalyna Country organization, the group who helped organize and execute a locally conceived and wildly popular food-tasting event known as “Dine Kalyna” has decided to move elsewhere. As their eco-tourism footprint encompasses more than just Vegreville, the event will be held at different venues within that footprint, this year starting off in Redwater.

Local chefs, food producers and founding members of the event are wishing however, there had been some consultation before the decision was made. “I got an official email a week ago,” said Dena Sokalski, who was one of the original participants in the event. “No one ever asked any of us if we’d be ok with moving to another venue for this. There was zero contact from any members of the board. I’m disappointed.”

Moving the event, while beneficial to other communities in the Kalyna Country area, has left a core group of people who used to execute the event feeling a little abandoned, if not frustrated.

Not wanting to simply stop doing what they love to do, the local organizers have decided to form their own version of the same event, with the same idea, under the name of “Gourmet Affair.” Patrons from previous years can expect many of the same producers and chefs from previous years who have grown accustomed to coming out to Vegreville to display their culinary cunning and pamper the palettes of the local townspeople.

To keep things simple, the Vegreville Agricultural Society has decided to continue tying in the event with the opening night of the annual Vegreville Fair, traditionally held in early August. The committee putting everything together however, will now be autonomous and self-propelled.

“We’re really looking forward to going forward with the event,” said former coordinator Kevin Kisilevich. Many local producers are glad to know it’s still happening in some type of capacity in Vegreville.