Poutine Perfection

Gravy, french fries and squeaky cheese curds: our love affair with poutine dates back to the mid-1900s in rural Quebec. Since then, poutine’s become Canada’s unofficial dish, and food lovers across the country have created their own takes on the saucy and scrumptious Canadian classic. 

For two weeks, the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region will have poutine lovers salivating as they choose from dozens of imaginative renditions during the annual 14 Days of Poutine event.

Taste and judge various cheesy creations

Now in its third year, 14 Days of Poutine will take place from April 14 to 27, 2025, with 29 local restaurants putting their best fries forward. For two weeks, creative cheese-fry-gravy combos come to life for the public to taste and judge from restaurants across Nelson and Kaslo. Participating restaurants include Torchlight Brewing Co., Beauties, Kootenay Tamil Kitchen and Cantina Del Centro, to name just a few. 

Vote for your favourites within three categories: Best Tasting, Most Unique and Best Presentation. And here’s a pro-tip to taste as many creations as possible: make it a family and friends affair, and share a few bites from every stop. 

A taste of Kootenay Lake’s culinary talent

Broken Hill, a Nelson taphouse, has participated in the event since it launched. Chad Hansen, owner and operator of Broken Hill, says his favourite part is seeing “groups of people out hitting multiple rooms in an eve, sharing plates and a few beers, talking about where they’ve tried and which is the best thus far. People, pints and poutine: it’s a cultural thing.”

Broken Hill has been dishing up spectacular poutines every year since the event began, and this year will be no different. Customers can experience the Canadian classic with a creole twist. Broken Hill’s 2025 poutine is the Ragin’ Canajun Poutine: hand-cut kennebec potatoes fried in beef tallow, loaded with squeaky cheese curds, chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo gravy, finished with fried okra chips.

“The Kootenays have extremely talented kitchen staff from all corners of the globe and various backgrounds. The talent level in our kitchens is top-notch!” says Hansen. “This event levels the playing field, and the real winners are the patrons.

With all the culinary talent in the area, poutine isn’t the only thing to look forward to biting into — the Nelson and Kootenay Lake area has more restaurants and cafés per capita than Toronto, Manhattan or San Francisco. 

Come for the food, stay for the fun

Between bites, enjoy some of the spring activities the region has to offer, like hiking, biking, paddling and golfing. Explore Nelson and Kaslo with ease by downloading the Kootenay Lake Road Trip App. Do the driving tour or the Nelson mural tour, where you’ll learn about the 50-plus murals that make the little town the vibrant gem it is. 

And if you’re still feeling peckish, check out the great variety of restaurants in Kootenay Lake’s other communities or come back in November for the region’s burger month!

To learn more about 14 Days of Poutine and participating restaurants, visit nklt.travel/poutine.

The post Poutine Perfection appeared first on Avenue Calgary.