Gong hei fat choy! Lunar New Year is February 17, 2026, and this year an estimated two billion people worldwide will celebrate with parades, lion dances, red envelopes, lanterns, and of course, food.    2026 is the Year of the Horse and our Alberta chefs galloped to the kitchens to share recipes that highlight just a handful of cultures that observe the Lunar New Year. The flavours, textures, and pure joy that comes from eating them makes them suitable for enjoying with famil

Bringing a fun, communal experience to any table is important, and is the reason why Duck Báhn Xèo is a favourite dish on the menu. “It’s interactive, fun, and perfect for sharing, which reflects the warmth and abundance we want every guest to feel,” explains Chef Hieu of Calgary's An An.  These crispy Vietnamese pancakes filled with pulled duck are easy to make in a skillet at home and are perfect for sharing. “It’s a celebration dish,” adds Chef Calvin. “Golden, crispy, and

New Year celebrations are really about the people you’re with, so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. Chef Joel Matthew's recipe for Babi Kepac is an excellent addition to your winter menus. “It’s a dish rooted in Bali, Indonesia, and isn’t found anywhere else in the world. Every time I eat it, or even smell it, I’m reminded of home.”

“After improving this recipe, I started selling this in El Salvador to my friends and neighbours, motivating me to keep cooking and eventually learning savoury food,” says Chef Manuel Baharona of Calgary Meals on Wheels. Budin Latino is traditionally made with leftover bread mixed with custard and topped with bananas and raisins. But for Chef Manny, a recipe is a guide you can express yourself with, and in this case, he created Pumpkin Bread Pudding using croissants, and topp

When it comes to the holidays, Chef Anna Mandziuk at Community Kitchen Program of Calgary says anything that is considered a comfort food are her favourite things to bake. “Fruit crisps or pies, coffee cakes, and anything chocolate – simple recipes, simple ingredients, and not time-consuming.”    Chocolate Pistachio Cookies check all the boxes and have a touch of nostalgia. “This recipe is from when I owned and ran a pastry shop,” she explains. “We only made these cookies at

Bread pudding is one of those desserts Chef Russ McArthur, for Ronald MacDonald House, says isn’t seen much these days, but it’s incredibly easy to make. “I’m an adamant believer in reducing food waste, and bread pudding ties into that with its use leftover bread. This is a recipe I’ve been making for years, while slowly adjusting it to be better every time.”

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