Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

Chef Shane Chartrand Savour Alberta's South

ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM MARKET & CAFE The Riverside neighbourhood has character with historic homes lining the boulevards, and luckily enough, the locals live near Zucchini Blossom Market & Café . Owner Kristine owns one of the longest standing businesses that embraces local ingredients, sourcing from farms and greenhouses year-round that are only a 10 to 20 minute drive from her café. Chef Shane and owner Kristine talked about the details of the creamy soup , including the detailed preparation of the garlic, and Chef Shane added that the house salad was one of the most beautiful he’d seen. They spent just over an hour visiting, eating, and sharing stories of past experiences, beside a 15 foot tall Yucca plant. SWEET PURE HONEY HIVES Flowing rivers to flying honeybees, owners of Sweet Pure Honey Sheldon and Stella suited the group up before they circled around beehives. Sheldon pulled out panels with hundreds of honey bees. There was an echoing buzzing sound while everyone stood in the swarming sea. The beekeeper explained the ideal honey bee environment, how their collaborative mindset builds a strong hive, and how important honey bees are to the natural ecosystem. Afterwards, the group spontaneously ran into Nicole, Nicole, owner and operator with her husband Mark, of Neubauer Farms . And seconds later, Kristine from Zucchini Blossom Market & Café pulled up to pick out farm fresh dill. Now there were honey bee farmers, an agriculture farmer, a café owner, and a chef. This is Medicine Hat. Local ingredients, local conversations, and a lot of great food and partnerships that come from it.

Indigenous and Alberta Chef Shane Chartrand was invited and welcomed to Medicine Hat in October 2025. Chef Shane has been featured on Top Chef Canada, Iron Chef Canada, CHOPPED Canada, and Fridge Wars, and journeyed through Southern Alberta with Tourism Medicine Hat to Savour Alberta’s South. THE WHISKEY DISTRICT The first stop was The Whiskey District , where Sous Chef Michael and Chef Aaron prepared and served the group a steak tartare . A dish that Chef Shane once prepared underneath the World’s Tallest Tepee, Saamis Tepee , years prior. Tastebuds were watering, and the initial appetizer sparked intrigue while browsing the menu for a main dish. From handhelds and steaks to choose from, Chef Shane picked “The” [Cheese] Burger . The size of, what felt like, the world’s tallest burger. With a stacked burger in both hands, a house-made cocktail awaited its turn, with notes of strawberry, basil, lemon, honey, and fresh squeezed orange. The energy of conversation stirring throughout the busy and buzzing space, Chef Shane wandered to the open kitchen to hangout and prep alongside Sous Chef Michael, Chef Aaron and the Sunday night team. STATION COFFEE COMPANY It was Monday morning that Chef Shane would meet with the Tourism Medicine Hat team again for coffee, baking, and a back of house tour from owner Jake and baker Toni. Station Coffee Company has called the historic Turpin Block home for over a decade. Surviving a fire, the layered smoke still showcases itself on the century old brick. Pairing history with food and drink, the menu features The Rootbeer Godfather , a mix of espresso, rootbeer, and cream, and decadent desserts, from cheesecake to soft and fluffy muffins .

24