It was a Smokin' Good Time

October 23, 2019

Man with beard raising a cup of beer at Barley & Smoke fundraising event

BARLEY & SMOKE GRILLIN’ FOR A CURE

This past August, chefs and brew masters in Calgary teamed up to give cancer a grilling. In support of Kids Cancer Care Alberta, ten teams competed in four categories: best beer, best slider, best ribs and best team in this inaugural event.

A panel of judges made up of local celebrities, writers and industry leaders determined the winners of the event. Upward of 40 sponsors, restaurants and craft brewers took part in the event with a common goal to help raise over $100,000 for Kids Cancer Care.

BY THE NUMBERS
550 VISITORS I 10 COMPETING TEAMS I 15 FOOD & BEER SAMPLES I 5 PRIZE CATEGORIES

Breakdown of Barley and Smoke funds raised for Kids Cancer Care Alberta

Barley and Smoke Pie Chart Breakdown of Revenue Raised

Judging from the numbers, the event was a phenomenal success! Kids Cancer Care is a registered charity that supports Alberta families facing childhood cancer. Funds raised through events like Barley and Smoke enable Kids Cancer Care to offer essential programs at no cost to children and their families.

Check out the video of the event highlights


BEST RIBS WINNER: PRAIRIE DOG BREWING
Prairie Dog Brewing won BEST RIBS prize for their St. Louis style ribs. Pork side ribs were rubbed in their house-made pork spice blend and smoked for four hours over BC birch and applewood.

Prairie Dog Brewing Accepting Their Best Ribs Award at Cancer Fundraiser

BEST BEER WINNER: BANDED PEAK BREWERY
The winning beer was awarded to Banded Peak for their Guavamorphology. This ultra-refreshing kettle-soured gose was packed to the rafters with juiced pink guavas and Ekuanot hops to create an aromatic citrus fruit bomb. A simple malt base of craft 2-row barley and flaked wheat was infused with modest boil additions of Hima - layan rock salt and lactose, delivering a pillowy soft mouthfeel and an intensely refreshing finish that pairs all too well with the spring melt.

Team members from Banded Peak Brewing of Calgary Celebrate their Award for Best Beer

BEST SLIDER WINNER: JANE BOND BBQ
The winning slider was awarded to Jane Bond BBQ for a Canadian Style 20-hour smoked brisket slider on a ciabatta bun with Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, honey vinaigrette slaw and a nibble of a pickle.
Beer and 20 hour smoked brisket slider pairing at cancer fundraiser event in Calgary

BEST TEAM WINNER: COLD GARDEN • JANE BOND BBQ
The jovial team spirit and southern hospitality charm of Cold Garden and Jane Bond BBQ won over the hearts of the judges. When they presented their pairing of East Calgary Lager and 20-hour smoked brisket slider, they first handed out bibs to the guests in the VIP section then had everyone raise their glass and give a toast to their neighbours.

Cold Garden and Jane Bond BBQ of Calgary Present Engage with VIPs and judges at Cancer Fundraiser

But wait... there's more! Local Calgary designers and builders teamed up to create five reading forts for Camp Kindle, owned and operated by Kids Cancer Care. Programs like Camp Kindle, education support and scholarships are designed to meet the needs of children and families at each stage of their cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

BEST FORT WINNER: LEANNE BUNNELL INTERIOR DESIGN, UNIQUE PROJECTS, CEDAR SHOP

Leanne Bunnell's Fort Pisces Reading Fort for a cancer fundraiser in Calgary

“It’s been challenging and exciting and creative so all of that is good for us, but in the end when it (reading fort) actually lands out at the camp, I’m really excited for the kids to be using it.” – Leanne Bunnell

All funds raised from the Barley & Smoke event will go toward Kids Cancer Care’s essential programs designed to support young people, like 15-year-old Ryane Nethery, during their cancer journeys and beyond. Nethery is a cancer survivor who shared her experience with guests at the event.

Ryane Nethery and Renee MacTavish onstage at the Barley & Smoke fundraiser for Kids Cancer Care Alberta

Divine Flooring was among this year's sponsors who made this amazing event possible.

“The generosity of spirit displayed by these sponsors feels like a miracle right now during this economic downturn.” Christine McIver, founder and chief executive officer of Kids Cancer Care.

For more information of the event, visit Barley & Smoke and Kids Cancer Care Alberta. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2020 date.



Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in DIVINE MUZES

Divine Flooring CEO Carlos Soares jumps in playhouse lottery pool designed and built by Calbridge Homes for the 2022 Barley & Smoke charity fundraising event
Finding Hope in Adversity

August 24, 2023

Local businessman Carlos Soares is the man behind the vision for Barley & Smoke. In 2000, while his wife Tammy is pregnant with their first child, he receives the devastating news that he has stage 3 cancer. With his loving father by his side at the cancer clinic, he is overwhelmed with emotion - he has pelvic carcinoma and the tumour is the size of a football. He is too young to go - he has a new son on the way and can't leave his young wife to raise a child on her own. Determined to overcome this setback with every fibre of his being, he undergoes life-saving surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy. With his mind and spirit focused on recovery, Carlos becomes cancer free. His journey motivates him to help others battling cancer, especially children.

Read More

attendees in the VIP lounge at the annual Barley & Smoke charity event toasting their cups of Caesar cocktails
Local Breweries & Restaurants Compete in Barley & Smoke to Raise Funds for Children with Cancer

August 24, 2023

On Saturday, August 26 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm over 30 local breweries and restaurants will join forces in the fourth annual Barley & Smoke: Grillin’ for a Cure at Enmax Park (Elbow River Pathway & MacDonald Ave SE) when Calgary chefs and brew masters go head to head for the title of Best Beer, Best Beverage, Best BBQBest Street Food and Best Vendor Tent. The annual craft beer and BBQ food-tasting event raises funds for Kids Cancer Care.

Read More

Freshly redesigned vignettes at the Divine Flooring flagship showroom are revealed to guests at a party
Divine Flooring Reveals Newly Designed Vignettes at Flagship Location

July 24, 2023

Six all star Interior Designers were assigned the clandestine task of redesigning the company's lifestyle themed vignettes. These small alcoves of inspiration located within the showroom are meant to ignite the imagination of the new homeowner, renovator or professional client along their flooring purchasing journey. The vignettes convey an art gallery like appeal and are unique to Divine Flooring

Read More