YYC Sociables

11/02/2025

🚨🎭 G I V E A W A Y  A L E R T! 🎭🚨

🤝 We’ve teamed up with to give one lucky winner a spot in their exclusive Puppet & Mask-Making Workshop, 𝑽𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆!  Create a self-portrait puppet-mask, explore new artistic techniques & develop professional skills.

🔮 Enter for your chance to win a transformative creative journey designed for adults seeking professional development or a meaningful artistic experience!

ENTERING IS EASY:
✅ FOLLOW &
✅ TAG a friend who’d love this experience (1 tag = 1 entry, unlimited!)

📆 Workshop dates: March 14 - 16, 2025

Use code  👉 𝐘𝐘𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝟏𝟎 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟! Link in bio for deets!

Cheers,
Kelsey, Calgary Explorer 🧭

💛 Limited number of Bursaries are available for those facing financial barriers. Free registration with a commitment for the recipient to provide meaningful feedback.

(Total prize value $99. One winner will be drawn at random. Must be 18+. Contest closes 1pm Feb 17. This contest not endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.)

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10/02/2025

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08/02/2025

Calgary, that’s a wrap on the first-ever Mac & Cheese Festival! 🧀🎉

Over 1,500 votes came in, and we’re hearing even more of you stopped by to try a dish! Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event such a success!

🏆 BEST Mac & Cheese – Gnocchi by the Shore (this dish ONLY available until Feb. 12, 2025)
🥈 2nd Place – Gourmet Mac & Cheese (available year-round!)
🥉 3rd Place – Fresh in the City Smoked Brisket in a Fried Cheese Bowl (similar version available year round)

We also added two fun categories for “Best Value” and “Most Creative” and Fresh in the City won both! 🤯

💰 Best Value – Fresh in the City
🎨 Most Creative  – Fresh in the City

Note, Due to festival demand, Fresh in the City is launching a whole new lineup of mac & cheese dishes  available at Crossroads Market (just look for the carrots)!! This was a collaborative success , .ca, , , all curated and crafted by Garret 🎉

🙏 Huge shoutout to all the participating restaurants (it was a VERY close race!) and everyone who voted!!

Should we bring this festival back next year?!! 🤔 Let us know below! 👇

Cheers,
Kelsey & Sarah, Calgary Explorers 🧭

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29/01/2025

VOTES ARE COMING IN HOT!! 🔥🔥🔥

I won’t release the scores yet as Calgarians still have until Friday to get their vote in. ⏳ (I will say that scores are close!!)

But here’s a sample of what we’ve heard so far!!

These are some life changing mac & cheeses! 🤯 So far I’ve tried 5 but damn! I’d really like to try a few more before it ends! Fingers crossed 🤞

Sarah

p.s. who has tried the most so far?! i need to know 😁

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22/01/2025

21/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨THIS IS THE LAST RESTAURANT TO ENTER THE COMPETITION! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, at Crossroads Market has entered the SMOKED BRISKET MAC & CHEESE in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

This is a super creative collaborative approach featuring a bunch of local businesses!

Fresh in The City is a vendor at the market and they have come together with Garret from as well as to present this fried cheese bowl 😍

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website!

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋

📍 Fresh in The City inside Crossroads Market
🗺️ Located inside Crossroads Market - find this offering at Fresh in the City! The Carrot Cake Company shares their booth. Just look for the big carrots!
1235 26 Avenue SE
🧀  The Smoked Brisket Mac & Cheese
📝  Savour the ultimate indulgence with Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese starring perfectly seasoned brisket from Regina Fine Meats, coated in a bold spice blend from the Spice Merchant and expertly smoked by Fit City Grill. The brisket is paired with imported italian pasta and a decadent cheese blend from Say Cheese Fromagerie, featuring 7 year aged ### cheddar, Emmental, Gruyere, and fresh cheese curds. This is COMFORT in a fried cheese bowl.

🥕 No drink, but what about dessert?! You have to try a slice of their famous carrot cake!
💸 $22
⚠️ gluten and cheese, no substitutions

We love that the ingredients are all sourced from vendors inside the including , .ca, , , all curated by Garret . There is a limited window to try this dish as the market is only open Friday, Saturday, & Sundays!

Cheers,

Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 🧀

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21/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨THIS IS THE LAST RESTAURANT TO ENTER THE COMPETITION! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, has entered their SMOKED BRISKET MAC & CHEESE in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑 

They might have the cities BEST carrot cake but what about Mac and Cheese? This unique fried cheese bowl is an official entry into the competition!

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋

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📍 The Carrot Cake Company inside Crossroads Market

🗺️ Located inside Crossroads Market - find this offering at Fresh in the City as The Carrot Cake Company shares their booth. Just look for the big carrots! 1235 26 Avenue SE

🧀  The Smoked Brisket Mac & Cheese

📝  Savour the ultimate indulgence with Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese starring perfectly seasoned brisket from Regina Fine Meats, coated in a bold spice blend from the Spice Merchant and expertly smoked by Fit City Grill. The brisket is paired with imported italian pasta and a decadent cheese blend from Say Cheese Fromagerie, featuring 7 year aged ### cheddar, Emmental, Gruyere, and fresh cheese curds. This is COMFORT in a fried cheese bowl.

🍰 No drink, but what about dessert?! You have to try a slice of their famous carrot cake!

💸 $22

⚠️

—

We love that the ingredients are all sourced from vendors inside the including , .ca, , , all curated by Garret at The Carrot Cake Company. There is a limited window to try this dish as the market is only open Friday, Saturday, & Sundays!

Cheers,

Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers

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21/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨 ANOTHER PLAYER HAS ENTERED THE GAME!! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, has entered their Vegan and Gluten Free TRUFFLE MAC & CHEDDAR in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.
___________
📍 Ship and Anchor
🗺️  534 17th Ave SW
🧀  TRUFFLE MAC & CHEDDAR
📝 Gluten-free elbow macaroni meets a velvety vegan queso, melted vegan cheddar, crispy gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, and a drizzle of luxurious truffle oil.
💸  $14
⚠️ Gluten free & plant based
___________

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋

Cheers,
Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 👋🏼

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20/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨 ANOTHER PLAYER HAS ENTERED THE GAME!! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, has entered 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐂 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑 in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋
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📍Banquet Bar (University District location only)
🗺️  3953 University Ave NW #220
🧀  𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐂 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑
📝 This isn’t just mac and cheese—it’s a flavour packed thrill ride! We’re talking rigatoni smothered in a molten lava of Velveeta, gooey gouda, sharp cheddar, and creamy Monterey Jack, topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs for that irresistible crunch. Then, we go all-in with heaps of tender, smoky brisket dripping in tangy South Carolina BBQ sauce, spiced up with a fiery splash of sriracha. And because you deserve the royal treatment, it comes with fluffy, homemade buttermilk biscuits on the side and a sprinkle of fresh chives to seal the deal. It’s bold, it’s cheesy, it’s unapologetically epic—brace yourself for The Mac Daddy Showstopper!
🍑 Recommended Pairing: Peach Tea Cocktail
💸  $21.99
⚠️ Contains gluten and dairy.
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Cheers,
Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 👋

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19/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨 ANOTHER PLAYER HAS ENTERED THE GAME!! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, has entered their 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐂 & 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄 in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋
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📍 Best of Kin
🗺️  1059 14th St SW
🧀 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐂 & 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄
📝 Cheese Blend, Serpentini Noodles, Roasted Tomato, Pickled Jalapeños, Garlic Spent Grain Crumble. Add Smoked Brisket $8
🍺 Recommended Pairing: Fire Bloom Fireweed Honey Lager by Best of Kin
💸  $23
⚠️ Contains gluten and dairy, no substitutions. Vegetarian with no bacon.
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Cheers,
Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 👋🏼

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18/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨ANOTHER PLAYER HAS ENTERED THE GAME!!

Yep, it’s official, has entered their 𝐆𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐈 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐄 Mac & Cheese in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋
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📍Bonterra
🗺️ 1016 8 St SW, Calgary
🧀 𝐆𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐇𝐈 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐄
A playful nod to the surf and turf ingredients with an Italian twist, made with gnocchi, shrimp, scallop, beef short rib, fontina, mascarpone & herbed pangrattato.
Optional add-ons: 18oz Alberta beef ribeye with uni butter $69, Stuffed Lobster tail $48🍷Recommended Pairing: Domaine Servin Chablis, Bourgogne, France
or Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon, California
💸 $39
⚠️ Contains gluten and dairy, no substitutions
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Cheers,
Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 👋🏼

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18/01/2025

🚨ATTENTION🚨 ANOTHER PLAYER HAS ENTERED THE GAME!! 🏆

Yep, it’s official, has entered their take on a Mac & Cheese - 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑰𝑮 𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑬𝑺𝑬 in Calgary’s epic competition to crown the best Mac & Cheese in the city. 👑

You be the judge! 👩‍⚖️ Try their dish for yourself during Calgary Mac & Cheese Fest (Jan 19-31) and give YOUR rating on our website.

Send this post to a friend because you don’t want to taste test alone. 😋
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📍Posto
🗺️ 1014 8 St SW
🧀 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑰𝑮 𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑬𝑺𝑬
📝 A nod to Chicago’s nickname, “The Big City,” with a playful focus on the cheese. 4 cheese mix, pancetta, Italian broccoli, black olives and macaroni noodles.
🍷 Recommended Pairing: Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanco, Tuscany Italy
💸 $34
⚠️ Contains gluten and dairy, no substitutions available.
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Cheers,
Sarah & Kelsey, your friendly neighborhood Mac & Cheese Fest Organizers 👋🏼

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