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     Along the greasy pipeline between Edmonton and Calgary lies an old railway town called Carstairs; rich with heritage and a thriving cultural spirit. Whether it's snowmobile races or summer music events there's always something cooking for locals to experience. Rooted in the rural, Carstairs sets a backdrop of agriculture and industry and although only 35 minutes north of Calgary, Carstairs is an authentically small town.



     Only 100 feet from the railway tracks is one of the town's oldest buildings and now local bistro, The Café Radio. Originally a pirate radio station run by a collective of musicians & innocent bystanders, then a public festival in the town centre's park, The Café Radio now cooks up hearty lunches while streaming two online radio stations playing in the background. Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Sandwiches and Pizza Soup fill your lunchtime munchies followed by country decadent desserts & pies. 

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     For those that graze the cafe serves up fresh salads, quiches, and daily specials all reminiscent of Western European flavours yet fused with Alberta grit and homemade cooking. Boasting the best coffee in town has this small cafe pounding the spike in the ground as a Tim Hortons is being built on the the other side of the tracks. Bistro nights offer a destination dining opportunity with frequent music concerts in collaboration with the local museum's chapel as a perfect stage for great professional performers. Why go to the city all of the time to experience culture when we can bring culture to us?

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     The Café is run by the Valleau family where Mom does the baking, Dad does deliveries, Sheldon creates the food, Karina handles the healthy, and Jason jests. Family food traditions yet bold experiments keeps this family afloat in a sea of big trucks and kick ass attitudes.

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     The building has been everything from a lumber yard, coal weighing station, TV repair shop, boutique, bakery, deli, realty, and a now creative space for musicians & family with a lot on their plate. Two brothers also try to find time to perform in their CBC friendly band The Polyjesters. After touring the world they not only picked up a lot of bad habits they also picked up an appreciation for good, good food. Mix that with a Mom that bakes gobsmacking treats and a half Spanish fiery daughter in-law with healthy ideas and you have a typically Canadian family with a hearty appetite for great tasting dishes that can get you through a cold winter and a hot summer.



Jason Valleau ~ Jester & Creative Colonel

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