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Greetings!

PUMPKIN AND WHITE CHOCOLATE TORTE 

Impress your friends and family this Thanksgiving with a delicious pumpkin and white chocolate dessert. We'll be offering this torte as a special menu item in Raw Bar which means it is approved by Chef Duncan Ly!

Ingredients

Crust

• 40 gingersnap cookies , (10 oz/300 g) baked
• 1/2 cup butter , melted

Filling:

• 2 pkg unflavoured gelatin
• 1/4 cup dark rum or water
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 cups pumpkin purée
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 oz white chocolate , finely chopped
• 1/2 cup pasteurized egg whites
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup whipping cream

• In food processor, whirl gingersnap cookies to make 3 cups (750 mL) crumbs. Add butter; whirl until moistened. Press onto bottom and upside of 9- x 1-1/2-inch (23 x 4 cm) round tart pan with removable bottom. Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until firm to the touch, about 10 minutes. Let cool on rack.

For the filling: 

• In small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over rum; set aside. In large bowl, beat eggs with brown sugar until pale; beat in pumpkin purée, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Transfer to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thermometer registers 160°F (70°C), about 6 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add gelatin mixture; stir until melted. Add white chocolate; stir until melted. Scrape into large bowl; refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until slightly colder than room temperature but not set, about 1-1/2 hours.
• In bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Beat in granulated sugar, 1 tbsp (15 mL) at a time, until stiff glossy peaks form.
• In separate bowl, whip cream; fold into pumpkin mixture. Fold in one-third of the egg whites; fold in remaining whites. Scrape into crust. Swirl top decoratively. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.

For the garnish: 

• In bowl, whip cream. Using piping bag fitted with 1/4-inch (5 mm) star tip, place tip at crust edge; pipe in 1-inch (2.5 cm) swags, lifting tip at end of swag, around edge. Garnish with Marzipan Pumpkins and White Chocolate Pumpkins and Shards.

RAW BAR & HOTEL ARTS    

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

This weekend (Oct 5-8 inclusive), Raw Bar will be offering a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu with a modern and contemporary twist on your classic turkey and stuffing. Sous Chef Ausama Mansy has prepared a delectable 3-course menu in collaboration with Executive Chef Duncan Ly. This is Ausama's first time celebrating Thanksgiving and he's enjoyed his journey thus far with Chef Ly learning about the Thanksgiving traditions as well as creating a menu for hotel guests and those that want to let us do the cooking.

The menu features Roasted Cauliflower Velouté, Roasted Turkey Breast and Braised Thigh and a Pumpkin & White Chocolate Torte for a total of $40. Optional wine pairings are also available for an additional $25. We invite you to make reservations by contacting the Raw Bar at 403.206.9565 or via email at rawbar@hotelarts.ca.

Yelp Eats

Raw Bar will be participating again in Yelp Eats - an innovative dining promotion launched by Yelp Calgary in support of the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. During the week of November 4-10, 2012, come into Raw Bar and spend $30/person and we'll donate $10 to the food bank!

We invite you to have a great culinary experience while at the same time giving back to a local hunger relief organization. Stay tuned on twitter (@RawBarHotelArts) and facebook (facebook.com/hotelartsycc) for updates.

Two for Twenty

Raw Bar launched a Two for Twenty Express Lunch menu last month and we've got a great response so far from Raw Bar patrons. This is a quick and tasty solution to that 45 minute lunch you have whether you're doing business or simply treating yourself to a lunch out.

The menu features a choice of two appetizers, an entrée and dessert to go! Sous Chef Jinhee Lee changes up the menu daily so we invite you to come down and see what she's prepared weekdays in between 11:00am and 2:00pm. You can also check out @RawBarHotelArts or #2for20expresslunch on twitter for daily menu updates.

Stay in Style

With the advent of autumn, it's a great time to refresh your wardrobe with terrific fall fashions as well as cozy winter clothes. To help free up your pocket book, Hotel Arts is offering special weekend stays that include a $75.00 Gift Certificate that can be redeemed at the CORE Shopping Centre (Downtown), Chinook Shopping Centre (South Calgary) or CrossIron Mills (North Calgary).  Starting next weekend, this Stay in Style Package is valid for stays Thursday thru Sunday until December 31, 2012. Rates will start at $159.00 + taxes Friday, Saturday & Sundays and $209.00 + taxes on Thursdays.     

To book, click on the following link which will be live next week and book your Stay in Style Package: www.hotelarts.ca/special-offers.   

PARK AT THE H'ARTS

As the mercury starts to dip with the advent of fall, we've been getting some calls about monthly parking options. Hotel Arts has both a surface lot and a heated underground parking garage.

Located steps from major offices, shopping, convention facilities and tourism attractions, Hotel Arts is an ideal option for monthly parkers looking for spots in Calgary's busy downtown. In addition to walking proximity to your office, you can park your vehicle and dine at Raw Bar at Hotel Arts or Taste Restaurant, get a workout in at The Hot Yoga Lounge or Anytime Fitness, grab a latte at Starbucks, get your hair done at HedKandi Salon or nearby Blo, pick up a bottle or two of wine from Vine Arts or shop at Formans Fashion. Parking at Hotel Arts also puts you a few blocks away from the Saddledome for concerts, Hitmen Games and (fingers crossed for a quick end to the NHL Lockout) Flames Games.

To secure a spot, please call 403.206.9579 or email parking@hotelarts.ca.

Surface Lot Monthly Rate of $230

Underground Parkade Monthly Rate of $345

CHEF'S TABLE & KRI  

Kitchen Staff Restructure

Craig Boje, former Chef de Partie, has recently moved over to Hotel Arts to take on the role of Executive Sous Chef working alongside Executive Chef Duncan Ly.

This opened up a new opportunity for Chris Barton, who has been promoted to Chef de Partie at Chef's Table. Chris has been mentored by Craig Boje over the last year and we're extremely excited to have him on board.

Chef Barton studied at one of the most esteemed culinary schools in France, the ESCF-Ferrandi Culinary School in Paris. While furthering his knowledge of French cuisine, Chef Barton had the honour of working under the Head Chef Pascal Barbo at the L'Astrance Restaurant. He also had the opportunity to work at the famous Hotel Lancaster. During his time in Paris, Chef Barton learned French, the importance of using the best ingredients and of respecting those ingredients and their flavours. Above all, Chef Barton learned that being a chef is more than a profession; it is a way of life, and a pleasure to create such culinary designs.

Dan Labutes has taken on the role of Sous Chef. Dan spent most of his formative years in Cote d'Ivoire West Africa and at the age of five, found his love for cooking under the supervision of his mother. He moved back to Canada in 1999 and took a job in the construction industry for a bit of change. In 2007, Dan came back to his roots and started cooking professionally. To further his skills and knowledge, he took a professional cooking program at NAIT and graduated culinary school in 2009. He worked in Edmonton for a couple of years before he moved back to Calgary. After stints at Cassis and The Ranche, he joins us at Chef's Table and he is very excited to be paving the path for a very exciting future!

We invite you to come into Chef's Table to meet our amazing culinary artists and see what they're preparing!

New Menu

While we transition into a new season, Chef's Table is busy preparing a new Fall menu to launch early next week prepared by Sous Chef Dan Labutes, Chef de Partie Chris Barton and Executive Chef Duncan Ly.  You'll be introduced to dishes featuring earthy fall flavours including seasonal treasures like heirloom squash and an abundance of tasty mushrooms sourced regionally.

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Networking Session

Business owners looking to extend their reach and build their customer base are invited to regularly participate in the Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Networking Sessions. These gatherings are designed to showcase, over an extended period of time, member businesses so that members can feel confident in exchanging customer referrals and building each other's businesses.

The next session will be held Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00amin the Fireside Lounge at the Kensington Riverside Inn.  Admission with Chamber of Commerce membership is $12.50/person upon entrance.

For more information, visit http://www.calgarychamber.com.

Special Holiday Rates

During this year's holiday season, Kensington Riverside Inn invites you and your guests to stay at our property at a special rate! Book your holiday guestrooms at the Inn today and let us change the sheets and cook the eggs! 

Special weekend holiday rates start at $179 in our newly renovated rooms which includes evening turndown service, morning coffee & tea, newspaper, breakfast for two at Chef's Table, high speed wireless Internet access and bottled water.

For more information, visit www.kensingtonriversideinn.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Grave Gala

Epic costume + Halloween + Venice is Sinking + Calgary Opera = Grave Gala!

Join us on Saturday, October 27 in the Hotel Arts Spectrum Ballroom for Grave Gala, Calgary's biggest costume party! Tickets are $95.00/person and will support Calgary Opera for their 2012/2013 season. For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://www.calgaryopera.com/performancesandevents/grave.php.

Springboard Performance: The Fluid Festival

Hotel Arts is proud to sponsor the 7th Annual Fluid Festival which takes place September 28 to October 21. Join in on this festival that showcases art as well as performances from Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and Kidd Pivot with The Tempest Replica.

Children's Legal & Education Resource Centre (CLERC)

CLERC is hosting their 7th Annual Artful Bench and Bar fundraiser at Hotel Arts on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. The event is a night of both live and silent auctions featuring the art of many talented and generous judges and lawyers and their friends. All proceeds will go towards CLERC; a charitable organization committed to providing legal advice, education and representation to children and youth who have nowhere else to turn for legal support. For more information visit http://www.clerc-calgary.ca/page.asp?menuID=26.

Market Collective

Market Collective provides an opportunity for local artists, artisans and musicians to showcase their works. People who attend are exposed to Calgary's local talent and artistic drive and are able to purchase items they fancy. The next event will be held on October 20 & 21 in Kensington Village. This event will have local DJ's spinning music for the weekend. For more information, visit http://marketcollective.ca/#/market.

Green Calgary

Where can you buy tickets to Folk Fest, purchase original art, and win a bid for a stellar stay at Hotel Arts all in one place? Where can you find great bands, beer, nosh and conversation all brewed locally?  What event won't leave you asking - are these good times organic? Green Calgary's FallFestival of course! So bust out your dancing shoes and come out to support your favourite non-profiteers!

Held at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association on October 27th, 2012 from 7pm to midnight, Green Calgary's Fall Festival promises to be a night of epic merriment! Musical guests include T Buckley, the Drei Docs, as well as Jocelyn Alice and Lisa Jacobs. Delicious local snacks from all around Alberta will be offered as well as beverages from Wild Rose Brewery. Enter to win a wonderful wine raffle and salivate over all the local experiences, food and items at our sweet silent auction.

Buy Tickets ($25) online at http://greencalgaryfallfundraiser2012.eventbrite.com/ or at the Green Calgary offices at 100 301 14th street NW.

Calgary Latin Wave Festival

Hotel Arts is pleased to help sponsor the Calgary Latin Wave Film Festival on the weekend of November 2-4/12.  They'll be featuring some films from various countries in Latin America covering a scope of genres and styles.  Screenings will be at the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts.

To learn more, visit their site at http://www.calgarylatinwave.com/. and follow them on Twitter @CalgaryLatin.

Read for the Cure

Read for the Cure will be held on November 7 at Hotel Arts. The event will consist of the same format as previous years:  bestselling authors, in events that can best be described as large-scale book club gatherings. The event offers readers a unique alternative to walking, cycling or running for the cure! 

In addition to hearing the authors' speak, each attendee will receive a copy of their book. You can be sure to look forward to a great night, for a great value, for a great cause!

Read for the Cure's Calgary event will support the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Cancer Research Society, to fund research into the causes and prevention of cancer, and especially environmental links to cancer.  The organization is composed entirely of volunteers, allowing 100 per cent of funds raised to go to cancer research.

For more information and to order tickets visit www.readforthecure.com.

ARTwear 2012

Hotel Arts is pleased to help sponsor and host ARTwear 2012. Now in its tenth year, this annual fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Calgary features a runway fashion show highlighting the season's must-have fashions from some of Calgary's hottest boutiques and emerging designers.

In addition to a silent auction, there will also be a Fashion Trunk Show Auction where guests will have an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind styles from emerging local designers and retailers.

ARTwear 2012 takes place on Thursday, November 8th at Hotel Arts with the fashion show getting underway at 8:30pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the AGC's website at http://www.artgallerycalgary.org/fundraisers/artwear/ or call Sarah Stephens at 403.770.1353.

NOTABLE MENTIONS    

Chef Duncan Ly appeared as a guest on Get Real Live's radio show with hosts Susan Sohn and Scott Bakken on Tuesday, October 2. He shared his thoughts on Thanksgiving cooking including his own traditions, some tips on how to spice up the ordinary (add white chocolate to your pumpkin pie) and briefly mentioned Raw Bar's Thanksgiving inspired tasting menu offered this weekend. Click here to listen to Tuesday's show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/getreallive/.

Raw Bar is featured in an article in Food Service & Hospitality Magazine about trends in the bar scene. Colin Tait is quoted in the article about our summer cocktail program and the print version features two photos of our Island Fix and another poolside drink. View the article here: http://www.foodserviceworld.com/home/fsw-features/pouring-for-profits/4611-the-2012-bar-report-the-return-to-glamour.html.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 

Hotel Arts Group is actively involved in the neighbourhood around us.  Every month, we are dedicated to giving back to the community that supports our businesses and helps to make Calgary such a great place to live, work and play.    

Here are a few highlights of some of the groups we assist with donations:   

Open to Grow: Open to Grow is an organization dedicated to helping low-income businesswomen in Central America grow their cash flow, thereby moving from semi-poverty to middle class over time. They are hosting a fundraising event at the Calgary Golf & Country Club on October 20, 2012. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.opentogrow.com.  This is an organization that the former owners of Kensington Riverside Inn, Bob & Karen Brown, approached the Hotel Arts Group about and we are very pleased to pitch in and help them spread awareness about this microcredit lending organization and the myriad of great things they do.

Get Real Live: Hotel Arts is proud to support Get Real Live and their upcoming event Change the Age. "Change the Age is a social movement designed to inspire people to take control of their life and start investing into their own lives". The event is filled with energy and powerful stories as well as some great give-a-ways! For more information, visit www.getreallive.com/change-the-age.

Children's Hospital Aid Society: CHAS is a charitable organization dedicated to the health and well being of children and young adults. They are hosting a Speakers Brunch on Sunday, November 4 at the Calgary Golf & Country Club featuring a debate about "The Politics of Pipelines". For more information, visit www.chascalgary.ca.

Pacekids: Hotel Arts is proud to support the 1st annual Mark Sutherland Invitational Texas Hold'em Tournament on November 20 at the Cowboys Casino in support of Pacekids; an organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities. For more information, visit www.pacekids.ca/donations.