The Waffle Log Blog – Page 4

A Diner Delight

The Founding Council Reconvenes and Commits

Place: Albert’s on 99^th Street, Edmonton AB
Wafflers: founding members Critical Bill and Sly
When: Mid-March 2015

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Sly and Bill met during Sly’s staycation for a much deserved mid-week-waffle-Wednesday meeting of the International Supreme Council of Waffles. The experience opened with classic diner décor, the ironic impersonal but friendly wait staff, and shitty drip coffee that no diner should be without. Based on the agreed merits of the waffle*, this meeting of the council was simple, quiet, and pleasant. Critical Bill reports, “no complaints, light and crispy waffle” and Sly’s remarks were, “whipped butter is always a bonus.” (note: the waffle was served plain, to the council’s approval, with butter and syrup, not as picture above). It was at this meeting that the side of bacon was added to the Waffle order. Though, no proclamation was decreed it was silently understood that the side of bacon would accompany future waffles, permitted by availability. The council would like to note that given the simplicity of the Albert’s waffle it was a bit pricey but the bacon helping was plentiful.

This waffle experience might be reminiscent of the simpler time that Bill longs for.

Ratings:
Critical Bill: 4.5/5
Sly: 4/5

The Spirit of the Waffle

A Friendly Waffle Off

In the early Spring of 2015, Fun Time Douglas was invited to judge two waffles in “The Spirit of the Waffle Competition” (qtd. Josh Wild Card Black). Jojo and J-Dog prepared their batter, toppings, and provided their own waffle irons. This was truly Iron Chef Edmonton, in Jojo’s 123^rd Street apartment and I was the Chairperson. So, representing the International Supreme Council of Waffles (ISCoW) I drafted my rating rubric to establish the playing field. The friendly competitors were not informed of the criteria beforehand to uphold their waffle creativity.

The Waffles that were prepared are:

J-Dog: The Pina Colada: the batter contained coconut and was topped with a coconut cream and pineapple sauce
Jojo: Vegan Banana Caramel: a banana based batter waffle that was topped with a caramel sauce and fresh blueberry jam

Each waffle was tasted with the creator’s desired presentation and toppings and judged based on its entirety. Then the waffles were also tasted with only butter and syrup as toppings and judged as a control-variable-waffle.

The results:

J-Dog’s Pina Colada Waffle:

Colour: Golden 5/5
Outside Texture: Crispy 5/5
Inside Texture: Fluffy 4/5
Overall Flavour: Coconut is a win 5/5
Toppings: 5/5
Butter/Syrup: very good waffle iron, deep pockets for delivery 5/5

Jojo’s Vegan Banana Caramel Waffle:

Colour: Warm Brown 4/5
Outside Teture: Crisp but not light 4/5
Inside Texture: Banana made it soft and moist 3/5
Overall flavour: Complimentary flavours 5/5
Butter/Syrup: butter was delicious, like on banana bread 5/5

J-Dog’s Pina Colada: 29/30

Jojo’s Vegan Banana Caramel: 25/30

Both performed exceptionally. But it was the crispy golden outside, fluffy inside, and excellent butter/syrup vehicular properties that made J-Dog’s a success. Though, J-Dog almost lost points for smack-talk. Jojo maintained her quiet confidence and was not goaded by J-Dog’s barbs. She was a most gracious of hosts.

ISCoW thanks KPop, Space-Cate, & Josh Wild Card Black for their participation in this friendly waffle off.

Both Jojo and J-Dog presented creative and tasty waffles that will be forever remembered by the International Supreme Council of Waffles.

Fun Time Douglas, signing off.

For The Love Of Waffles

Place: Cha Island Tea Co. Edmonton AB
Wafflers: Dougie & Critical Bill

The unintentional inaugural Valentines Day meeting of the International Supreme Council of Waffles: “For The Love of Waffles” took place on February 14^th 2015.

Before we begin, I must remind readers that the International Supreme Council of Waffles is in search of the best waffle. In order to achieve our goal we had to set high standards. So, if our critique on the waffle in question seems harsh it is because we are committed to our task. Also, the rules of the ISCoW are that each individual member makes their own criteria and/or waffle rubric. It allows for a diverse Council with a larger breadth of perspectives in the hopes of serving all waffle desires. So let’s get on with it, man…

A nice cozy atmosphere was appreciated on this snowy and cold Saturday but perhaps reggae and waffles were not meant to be. Dougie suspects that it was an off night for the waffles as she had previously experienced delightful waffles from this establishment. One plain waffle was ordered, served with butter and syrup as a waffle was meant to be, and one special: topped with powered sugar, fresh strawberries, and chocolate (note: Dougie quite dislikes chocolate but finds it tolerable in small quantities. In this case it was a rich dark chocolate and complimented the strawberries).

The official report is: the waffle itself was too soft and battery, this waffle is in need of a more golden colour, a crispier outside, and fluffier inside. The beverages on the other hand were delicious. An old school chocolate milk for Bill and real brewed iced tea for Dougie. Critical Bill has a deep-seated philosophy regarding the purveying of the waffle: “They are best served in places with the words ‘cafe’ or ‘diner’ in the title by an older lady named Bev or Flo in a uniform and she calls you ‘hon’, if she is smoking all the better. A place with ‘Cha’ in the name and being served by a hipster dufus named Chad who calls you Dude probably is not going to resonate.” But, then again, Bill longs for a simpler time.

It should be noted that the company was quite enjoyable and thus the inaugural meeting of the International Supreme Council of Waffles marked the beginning of the mission to find the best waffle. Closing remarks, Critical Bill says the waffle was, “Dressed up but no party”. Rating: Dougie and Bill: 2/5 Waffles.

1-for-the-love-of-waffles — Archival photo from Dougie’s one of a kind analog Waffle Log Blog circa 2015

Prologue

Prologue to The Waffle Log Blog

We had our official welcome from Critical Bill and now it’s Dougie’s turn to chime and give you her welcome to the blog because some of you might be asking things like, “why?” and “what the hell?”
Perhaps this will clear things up.

Many might struggle to find purpose. Or find purpose in the struggle. Before I get carried away I will remind you, reader, that this will be a blog about waffles, so stay with me for a moment so we can get on with it.

I enjoy trying to find purpose through positive means. Means such as small celebrations. I don’t mean celebrations as in over-fraught birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations. I mean celebrations of very little consequence but symbolically they are meaningful. Some people call this celebrating “the little things”. Also, before anyone gets too excited, when I say meaningful I don’t necessarily mean profound, so calm down, life isn’t always a series of epiphanies and enlightening experiences. I simply mean recognizing the moment with others or alone, whatever little thing you are quietly celebrating, is nice. Another way of saying it is, let yourself enjoy little moments in your life by recognizing them.

With some of these little things, like visiting Café del Dave, I repeat the celebration almost every day. We have our coffee and discuss various topics at length until that moment comes when we realize our conversation has concluded and our work is done, Café del Dave has come to a close, until next time (tomorrow). It’s more than the sum of its parts though. It’s not just a routine. It’s not structured like a wacky ritual. It’s a celebration, of a seemingly small thing, but it has meaning to those involved, if you let yourself realize it.

So far this prologue has had nothing to do with waffles. I apologize. I have a shared a small piece of my personal perspective to give context for another one of my favorite activities. The International Supreme Council of Waffles. This is the search for the best waffle. The search has started in Edmonton but has already gone international.

Life can be hard. Have a waffle.

With each waffle review remember, it’s a little celebration and it’s nice.

Dougie signing off.

Introduction

Introduction To the International Supreme Council of Waffles (Geneva)

From its humble beginnings on Feb 14th, 2015 The ISCoW (Geneva) flourishes in bringing both the love of the noble waffle and critical discourse to reviewing and searching globally the best of waffle world. Situated in beautiful Geneva overlooking stunning Lac Leman under the majesty of the Alps and Jura Mountains the Council was established to fulfill the highest standards.

The first was to be not nearly as corrupt as FIFA or the International Olympic Committee but an institute built on semi-incorruptible standards and fair play.

The love of waffles drives the institute, the search for great waffles and bringing our results to you the waffle loving public, our mission. At the Institute we are cognizant that perfection is unattainable, but extraordinary is. Our Chief Executive Officer will delve into the many components of what makes the truly memorable waffle experience.

I wish you the best in your reading and in your personal waffle growth.

Yours in waffles,

Critical Bill

p.s. We have no truck with fucking Crepes or pancakes. If you want a fucking pancake go to IHOP, if you want a fucking Crepe go to France.