RAW:almond is a one-of-a-kind fine dining festival. Hosted every year in January-February, 2024 marks the 11th year of this extraordinary outdoor dining experience. Each year, world class chef gather over the course of a 22-day period to collaborate together in a pop-up restaurant like no other on the frozen rivers of Winnipeg, Manitoba.  

This year Medium Rare was excited to have our aprons front and centre in all the action to support the extremely talented chefs as their culinary creativity unfolded at this year’s event. Here are some highlights from our incredible experience at RAW:almond 2024. 

RAW:almond always features talented local Manitoba and Canadian chefs, but also brings in some top chefs from across the globe. This year's line-up included chefs from Portland, Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, Portugal and Mexico. We had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out behind the scenes with some of the chefs.  

Check out their Medium Rare custom aprons and knife bags!

Every year the RAW:almond team tackles no easy feat – building a pop-up restaurant on the frozen rivers of Winnipeg. Except this year’s unseasonably warm winter made that near impossible so this year’s restaurant was perfectly positioned on the banks of the … River.  Despite not quite being on the river, the structure was spectacular. The long tables made it feel warm, cozy and the geometric structure with reflective siding gave it a relaxing cosmic vibe that made for the perfect ambience.   

It was fascinating to watch the creativity of two chefs executed as two dinners under one roof at the same time. Each long table under the geometric dome was served a completely different menu created by one of the guest chefs. We enjoyed a fantastic meal prepared by Chef Spencer Bennet and the team that honoured his roots. He shared his inspiration for the menu as wanting guests to experience his upbringing through his food and cuisine.   The evening was made all that much better with the great company and conversation - thanks Chef Ed Lam of Yujiro Japanese Restaurant, GaiJin Izakaya and Saburo Kitchen,Michelle Field of WOW Hospitality and Louis Clement of Spirit Wares. 

Pictured above: Chef Spencer Bennett & Snacks. Photos courtesy of RAW:almond.