WETASKIWIN, Alta. — A group of B.C. farmers are introducing wine-fed beef to the market to dig themselves out of the hole caused by the lagging aftermath of the mad cow outbreak, according to a recent report from the QMI Agency.

The experiment took shape late last year when, in conjunction with a grain diet, Southern Plus Feedlots owner Bill Freding began feeding cattle the equivalent of about one glass of wine a day in the 90 days leading up to slaughter.

TORONTO — Chef Scott Conant’s first Canadian location of Scarpetta is set to open today, July 22, in the ritzy new hotel Thompson Toronto.

Conant took a moment to introduce himself and his concept in a recent open letter to the city that was posted on The Huffington Post. And, although foodies are already bemoaning his so-called condescending chatter, many are still excited about the new branch of his popular Italian eatery that originally debuted in New York City.

HALIFAX — Everyone has to eat. That simple — but true — statement will set the tone for the first Culinary Tourism Thought Leadership World Summit, set to take place in Halifax from Sept. 19 to 21.

The summit, hosted by the International Culinary Tourism Association and presented by Taste of Nova Scotia, is expected to draw about 300 international culinary tourism industry professionals to workshops and presentations addressing the event’s theme: "One World, One Table: Using Culinary Tourism for Economic Development."

TORONTO — This past weekend Bob Blumer, host of Food Network Canada’s Glutton for Punishment, set a Guinness World Record in Toronto for building the most pizzas by an individual in an hour, and yesterday, July 8, the Dairy Farmers of Canada followed suit, building the world’s largest smoothie at the Bust-a-Record Dairy Day held at the city’s waterfront.

"Setting a new Guinness World Record with the All-Canadian Blueberry Smoothie is a wonderful way to celebrate our Canadian dairy producers and the purity, high quality and great taste of dairy products made from 100-per-cent Canadian milk," said Jacques Laforge, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada.