Written by Sabrina Kooistra - Making life a little more DIVINE.

kerala, my thali, coconut lagoon, cookbooks

2 min

Books
Food

The Heart of Kerala’s Cuisine: A Conversation with Chef Joe Thottungal

Those in-the-know in the Ottawa food scene will recognize the name Joe Thottungal, the award-winning creative and industrious Kerala-born chef behind beloved national capital restaurants Coconut Lagoon and Thali. Ottawa…

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vineyard melody, ottawa, namratha stanley

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7 min

Books
Living

A Life Transformed in Bordeaux: Inside Namratha Stanley’s Memoir “Vineyard Melody”

Content warning: This article includes discussion of domestic violence and violence against women, which some readers may find distressing. “I hope readers not only enjoy the story, but also find…

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7 min

Food

From Cyprus with Love: A Conversation with Cookbook Author Irene Matys

I’ve had the honour and privilege of speaking with many chefs, grocery shop and food truck owners about the trials and triumphs of leaving home and fostering community and belonging…

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sourdough, Sourdough everything, cookbook

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4 min

Food

Behind “Sourdough Everything” with Sourdough Enzo, Rachel Pardoe

If sourdough envy is possible, I caught it while perusing Rachel Pardoe’s (aka Sourdough Enzo) Instagram. As if I needed another excuse to finally make and name a sourdough starter,…

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5 min

Books
Food

Exploring Nigerian Flavours with “Chop Chop” Author Ozoz Sokoh

Food is sustenance at its most rudimentary and an intertwining of history, migration, coexistence, climate, religion, and family at its richest and deepest. There are so many more histories to…

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12 min

Books
Food

DIVINE Reviews: Ottawa’s Literary Feast 2026

If you listen to the persistent folks tempting you to take a second look at our capital – some argue underrated – city, I am willing to hear them out.…

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honeymoon, vacation, couple, travel, italy, golden hour, newly weds, marriage, wedding

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4 min

Say “I Do” to a Late Bloom Honeymoon

“In the Italian Riviera with an unlimited budget.” It goes without saying that my future husband is, indeed, a Pinterest virgin. You can’t just ask a girl what her dream…

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5 min

Books
Food

Redefining Luxury with Perch Chef Justin Champagne-Lagarde

Ethical, complex, rooted – it’s how Chef Justin Champagne-Lagarde, the head and heart behind Ottawa’s celebrated Perch restaurant, defines his philosophy, one renowned for embracing local and Canadian ingredients, and…

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calgary stampede, calgary skyline, dining

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5 min

Food

Three Restaurants to Add to Your Calgary Stampede Trip Itinerary

For Calgarians, summer really kicks off with the start of the Calgary Stampede. For 10 days, the Saddledome and Stampede grounds become the centre of gravity for this annual, city-wide…

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Burger: Girl eating a burger, retro diner, juicy burger, sandwiches and handhelds, fries, take-out, fast food

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3 min

Food

Two Calgary Burger Joints Worth Writing Home About

For a burger aficionado like myself, there’s nothing quite like pulling up to a juicy burger joint, rolling up my sleeves, and taking that first bite. When it comes to…

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