Winnipeg foodies take it to the streets despite chill in air

Nothing comes between a foodie and food.

Not even sub-Arctic temperatures, icy streets and the occasional slipped chain will stop them.

Enter Moveable Feast, a biking and eating tour of downtown Winnipeg restaurants set forFeb. 13.

The mid-winter tourgeared toward both experienced and neophyte winter ridersis about demystifying winter cycling, eating great food and embracing the season, says Jason Syvixay, managing director at Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, one of the co-organizers.

There isa full platter of things to do (in winter) and the people taking advantage of them are having way more fun, Syvixay said.

The tour coincides with the Winter Cycling Congress, a three-day conference that brings 100 international delegates to Winnipeg to share ideas about creating year-round, bike-friendly cities.

Syvixay said the tour, which is also organized by the conference and consulting firm Freig & Associates, is also a way to show off the city and show how we celebrate winter to delegates and Winnipeggers themselves.

Organizers are still hammering out pitstops in St. Boniface and the Exchange District but confirmed participating restaurants include RAW:almond, East India Company and Thom Bargen (coffee house).

The inaugural Moveable Feast was held last July in Winnipeg. Starting at the Manitoba Legislature, dozens of cyclists made restaurant stops at The Forks, St. Boniface, the Exchange District and back downtown. The evening tour lasted for more than five hours. At times, riders created an impromptu parade on city streets.

Hosting a winter version was a no-brainer, Syvixay said.

We thought, What will people say if we try to do this in winter, and immediately it was, Lets try this again.

Other Winnipeg restaurants are also stepping out into the chill. Elements will start up its popular backdoor eats lunch service mid-February. Typically held Fridays, customers buy street-friendly lunch specials from a backdoor near the restaurant.

RAW: almond, the outdoor pop-up restaurant on the frozen river at The Forks, opensFriday.

Meanwhile, about 20 Moveable Feast tickets will be sold to Winnipeggers and the remaining 20 are for conference delegates.Tickets are $35and can be purchased on site, or booked in advance through the Moveable Feast website.