Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with...Taryn O'Neill!

As if being a university student wasn't challenging enough, Taryn O'Neill has demonstrated the great ability to balance her academic life as well as devoting countless hours into giving back to her community.

 Today I was fortunate enough to share in lunch with Miss Taryn O'Neill, a UNBSJ Masters student as well as this year's YMCA Red Triangle Award recipient for "Leader to Watch". This was actually Taryn's first time at Relish and we were both looking forward to meeting and discussing many of her upcoming projects. For our meals, Taryn relished The Great One- a  favourite among many. This burger is topped with cheddar cheese, roasted garlic mayonnaise and bacon. In honour of St. Patrick’s Day, I tried this week's feature burger called "The Irish Pickle". This unique burger is made with a deep fried pickle, mozzarella cheese, sautéed mushrooms and back bacon. This burger was delicious and a perfect way to celebrate the day in Canada's most Irish city! 

Taryn O'Neill grew up on the west side of Saint John. She knew at a young age that she had a desire to get involved with the community and was greatly inspired by her mother. Her mother is employed at the John Howard Society and is also heavily involved in various community outreach programs. Her mother’s passion ignited a spark in Taryn and allowed her to set goals and plans of her own.

 As the recipient of this year's YMCA Leader to Watch Award, Taryn is being primarily recognized for her work with the UNBSJ Student Mentoring Program. This program was first launched during the 2009/2010 school year and has been a tremendous success ever since. This program allows university students to partner up with Hazen White St. Francis School and provide tutoring to the elementary students. This is a great outreach that connects the university to the neighbourhood and provides the kids with a chance to receive the one on one attention that they may need.

Expanding on the concept of the mentoring program, Taryn as well as two other individuals Leah Richardson and Stephen Stone were able to develop a summer program reaching out to the same kids. This program is called The Backyard Book Club. It originally started as a very small event where kids would gather in the neighbourhoods of Crescent Valley and read stories with their university mentor. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, a large number of children would actively participate in this program. It was a great way to connect with your neighbourhood friends while doing something fun yet educational. The next year, The Backyard Book Club moved its location to Hazen White St. Francis School. They began seeing a need to provide a dinner for the students as well as some time for free play and socializing. This program brought in more than 40 UNBSJ volunteers and was welcomed by the community with open arms.

Aside from those two major programs with UNBSJ, Taryn is also busy in many other aspects of her life. In the past she has been involved with the university’s student government, first year orientation and many other local and international fundraising events. Taryn is also heavily involved in the program "Lets Talk Science". This award winning program is an initiative to get students engaged in science. It is very interactive and takes a hands on approach to teaching kids about different aspects of the world. As a Masters of Science Student, this program allows Taryn to educate others on something she is passionate about while again, mentoring to children of the city. She is currently in the process of organizing an event at the Saint John Museum for the end of the month, so be sure to keep an eye out for more information!  

 Taryn will be receiving her award on April 6th at the Saint John Trade and Convention Center. This year the gala's theme is “Building Our Community". The event begins with a 6pm reception and a 4 course meal to follow at 7pm. Taryn will also be sharing the limelight that night with Mr. Dale Knox, the recipient of the Red Triangle Award. Tickets are still available for individuals as well as for a table of 8. Check out www.saintjohny.com for more details. 

Taryn's passion and thrive for life is nothing but contagious. At the mere age of 23, I look forward to what other exciting challenges she is going to undertake in order to reach out to the city. Her dedication is truly admired and is what makes Taryn a very unique local. Concluding our conversation, I think it was safe to say that Taryn enjoyed her first experience at Relish and I enjoyed getting to know her in the process. Relish was once again able to step up to the plate and provide us with top notch quality and service! If you have yet to indulge in the Relish experience, I encourage you to drop into 26 Germain Street today!

Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with...Kiera Fraser!

"I just like to support locals because I know they support me"

With the sun shining and snow beginning to melt, today was the perfect day to venture up town and try a delicious lunch from Relish Gourmet Burgers! This week, I sat down with Miss Kiera Fraser, owner of Je Suis Prest, one of Saint John's trendiest fashion boutiques.

Kiera Fraser coined herself as a regular customer at Relish. She said that she loves the food and enjoys the unique atmosphere of the restaurant. She also loves the convenient location right across the street from her store in Brunswick Square. Today, Kiera relished LA is My Lady with sweet potato fries as a side. This burger is popular among customers and is made up of sliced avocado, roasted peppers, basil pesto and creamy goat's cheese. I tried this week's feature burger called "The Chimmy Chew" - this burger is not your average burger and I would highly recommend it to those who like to add a little spice to their meal. Topped with chimichurri sauce, smoked gouda, and a crispy sweet potato chip, this burger is guaranteed to satisfy your tastebuds. Be sure to act fast though as this featured menu item is only available until February 21st!

Kiera Fraser was raised in upstate New York and at the mere age of 23 has proved to be a very unique local with nothing but success in store for the future. After high school, Kiera attended college and graduated with a Business degree. She expressed that she did not particularly love college, but was able to persevere and graduate in three years. Kiera also took many online fashion courses through Ryerson University in Toronto that have helped her get where she is today. Kiera's expertise in both business and fashion has been a huge contributor to the growing success of Je Suis Prest.

When Kiera first opened Je Suis Prest, she was not sure how well it would be perceived by Saint Johner's. Her motivation to open the store was inspired by the lack of high end fashion within the city. Kiera feels that with a small area like Saint John, it is often difficult to find clothes that are different than everybody else. She also said that classifying the store into one type of style is very difficult as their selection is so diverse. Kiera chooses all of the pieces that she wants in the store, mainly based on her customer’s preference. She ensures that the boutique remains unique by only ordering a limited number of each item. While Kiera initially thought her clientele would be women between the ages of 18-35, Kiera explains that her customers range in all ages .With everything from jeans, dresses and a diverse selection of exclusive accessories, Je Suis Prest is able to offer custom made, designer clothes at a very affordable price.

Kiera's friendly and welcoming personality is another huge asset to the success of her store. She is able to make personal connections with her customers allowing them to feel relaxed, well taken care of, and thus becoming loyal patrons. Infact, during our lunch date, I think Kiera knew just about everyone around! In 2010, Kiera was the winner of the “Young Entrepreneur” title at the Saint John Board of Trade’s Outstanding Business Awards. More recently, Kiera was also named Here magazine’s top 20 under 30 in the category of “Trendsetter”. Kiera’s Facebook page with close to 2000 followers was also nominated for a Salty, Saint John’s Social Media Awards. Kiera feels that social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are the most effective and affordable ways to communicate with her customers.

It is no secret that Kiera is extremely passionate about her store and genuinely loves what she is doing. She is still very young and has endless opportunities to come. In the future, Kiera hopes to expand her store to other regions or perhaps find another type of fashion void in Saint John to fill. Kiera said that for now, she is just focusing on making Je Suis Prest the best it can be while bringing out the inner fashionistas of Saint John. For more information about Je Suis Prest or to visit the award nominated Facebook page check out Kiera’s website at  www.jesuisprestboutique.com .

Upon the completion of our meals, both Kiera and I were able to leave Relish Gourmet Burgers once again feeling satisfied with the great taste and service. Relish seems to step up their game every week and is becoming quite the hit in Saint John. In fact, tripadvisor.com just named Relish,  #1 of 136 restaurants in the city. If you have yet to try it make sure you get to 26 Germain Street soon and see what you’ve been missing!

Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with... Sam Mackay and Brad Irvine!

                              

Today I was lucky enough to once again sit down with some of Saint John's finest for some great food and interesting conversation. The scene at Relish Gourmet Burgers was pretty comparable to any other day. Hungry customers flooding into the restaurant in need of their Relish fix! I was also there for my fix, and to talk to Mr Sam Mackay and Mr Brad Irvine, owners of The Canterbury Lounge- Saint John's newest hotspot for those looking to unwind after a long days work.

Unlike most of the other people I have talked to in this blog, this was Brad Irvine's first time trying Relish. He hails from Toronto and is usually in the city about once a month. He said that there were actually many gourmet burger places within the GTA and the demand seems to be growing drastically. He also commented that he enjoyed Reggie's in the past and was looking forward to trying out the new restaurant in it's place. Sam, on the other hand has been to Relish numerous times and is currently working on trying a new item each time he comes in. Today, he chose L.A is my lady - this burger is topped with sliced avocado, roasted peppers, basil pesto and creamy goat's cheese. Sam is also a big fan of the turkey burger option and usually goes for that. For the newcomer, Brad tried The Jersey City. Although he seemed to have Jersey Shore on the brain while eating it, he was very impressed with the taste that this burger offered. The Jersey City is a favourite among many Saint Johners and is topped with fried field mushrooms, pickled peppers, pancetta bacon and provolone cheese. Both Brad and Sam chose sweet potato fries as their side and were very satisfied with the service at the counter. After the first bite, Brad described the burger as ``great``  I once again had the Ginger 5-0. If you are looking for something different, than this burger is for you. This week’s feature burger is topped with ginger pineapple, chutney, havarti and back bacon. Just a reminder this exclusive burger is only available until next week, so be sure to give it a try today!

As the owners of The Canterbury Lounge located at 47 Canterbury Street,  both Sam and Brad feel that the people of Saint John have been very welcoming to this unique bar. Although they have had many challenges, they are definitely overcoming them quickly and  on the high road to success.  The Canterbury Lounge is the perfect place to unwind after work and socialize with good friends. They are trying to target young professionals in search of a different night life than we are used to. They both agree, that the idea of getting together after work to socialize is difficult to sell to Saint John just because they aren’t used to it. That being said, these two men have been able to change a lot of the mentality of the city and business has been better than ever.  The interior design, relaxing atmosphere and diverse selection of drinks truly makes this bar one of a kind. Coming to the Canterbury is a great excuse to get dressed up and feel like your living in a life of luxury.

As The Canterbury Lounge continues to grow, there are many exciting events in store for the future. This Saturday, Sam and Brad invite you to check out their Valentines Day Giveaway, this fun-filled night will give customers a chance to win a dinner from Thandis or a gift courtesy of Moet Champagne and Ganong Chocolates. They also continuously look forward to Dj fire, a fusion event and even some speed dating coming up very soon. They also want to encourage everyone to come out on Thursday and Friday's at 4pm for post work drinks. This is a great way to start the weekend off early and find some new friends within the city. As always, Friday night Happy Hour is between 5pm-11pm. The drink specials are fantastic and a wonderful incentive to get out and have some fun during this cold winter season.

Sam and Brad currently own the heritage building that houses The Canterbury Lounge. They are asking Saint Johner's to keep their eyes peeled for a secret project they are working on that will hopefully be released later this year. When this dynamic duo is not hard at work with the bar, they can be found relaxing and living life to the fullest. Brad enjoys skiing or spending time at his cottage while Sam can usually be found playing for the Saint John Irish rugby team or secretly (or not so secretly) playing video games. These two hardworking men have brought a great gem to the city and we all look forward to what else they have in store. For more information about The Canterbury Lounge and all of the future events, make sure you check out their website at www.thecanterburylounge.com

Concluding our meal, I think it is safe to say that we all left feeling very satisfied. It is always such a great feeling when a first timer indulges in Relish and has nothing but a positive response. Relish Gourmet Burgers once again proved to be the greatest burger place in town and vows to never let you down when it comes to great food and service. If you’ve yet to try it, be sure to jump on the bandwagon as we are just waiting to Relish you!

Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with... Chrissy Gaunce!

“Money truly doesn’t buy happiness- I think I am really starting to realize that” – Chrissy Gaunce

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Miss Chrissy Gaunce, head of promotions and ticket sales for our very own Saint John Millrats. With Chrissy’s overwhelming passion for everything she does in life, we were able to engage in some great conversation about basketball and burgers!

Chrissy is definitely not a first timer at Relish. Not only is Relish an official sponsor of the Millrats, it is also her preference when it comes to good food. Chrissy admits that she is normally not a burger fan, but after she tried Relish for the first time she was hooked. She expressed that she likes the diverse menu and how fulfilling one burger can be. Today Chrissy ordered The Great One; she said it is usually a toss up between that or The Big Texas. She also enjoys the turkey burger as a healthier alternative to beef. I tried this week’s feature burger called: The Ginger 5-0. This unique burger is topped with ginger pineapple, chutney, havarti and back bacon. It was delicious! It might even be my favourite thus far. Remember this burger is only available until February 14^th so be sure to treat your sweetie- or yourself to lunch at Relish soon!

Chrissy Gaunce grew up on the west side of Saint John. She worked as a waitress at Rockys for quite some time until she was approached by David Cooper, the Vice President of marketing and number 7 on the team. He could sense Chrissy’s ability to sell and encouraged her to apply for the position she has today. Even though she was nervous in the beginning, Chrissy remembered her encounter with a fortune teller who told her to go into business. Now Chrissy can be found all over the city working to promote and encourage fellow Saint Johner’s to check out the city’s newest team. With the average attendance increasing each game, I think it is safe to say that Chrissy is doing a great job. Chrissy also has plans of running her own marketing company in the near future.

Chrissy truly believes that the Millrats have been nothing but welcomed with open arms to the city. As the majority of players hail from the states, she is confident that this team will really put Saint John on the map. Despite many injuries this season, Chrissy emphasizes that the team is ready for anything heading into the playoffs. The Millrats know that the fate of their career is determined by their performance and have been working harder than ever. Chrissy also jokes that she thinks the players are finally realizing just how small the Port City is. Although it has been a big adjustment, they all seem to be quite happy here playing the game they love.

For the future, Chrissy see's nothing but success in store for the team.Whether or not they win the championship this year, she knows that this season has been a tremendous learning experience and everyone involved should be very proud of what they've accomplished thus far. Chrissy also has hopes for more local teams to join the league in the future. Creating a rivalry between Fredericton or Moncton would intensify the games and give the fans an even greater motivation to come out and cheer. She also thinks that this would give Saint John a fantastic opportunity for networking within New Brunswick.

Aside from basketball, Chrissy is undergoing many projects of her own. “Lets Talk Girl Talk” is a unique program hoping to be launched later this year. The concept is to target young females in high school and encourage them to look beyond Saint John and into the big world. It is often a sad reality that many teens are unaware of the opportunities available and Chrissy hopes to offer some resources. This program will open the doors for success and give these girls the courage to live up to their full potential. Alongside “Lets Talk Girl Talk”, Saint John’s Next Top Model is also in the making. This competition will allow girls that thrive on fashion and design to experience a somewhat lavish lifestyle in our own small city.

Chrissy’s charasmatic personality and desire for life truly makes her a unique local. She believes that even if she only helps one person, it is worthwhile to pursue. Her loving and caring demeanour is exactly what this city needs in order to flourish. Chrissy also encourages everyone to check out the Millrats’ next game against the Halifax Rainmen this Friday night at Harbour Station. The players have been training hard and this will be an event not to miss out on. As always, I also encourage you to come on in to Relish Saint John for an experience you  won’t regret!

Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with...Mike Biggar!

“I will know when I am famous, really famous, not when I have body guards and swarms of people around me, but when I have to hire someone to do my own social networking. It’s ironic” – Mike Biggar

While the bitter cold January comes to an end, a brand new month is upon us. What better way to celebrate than with a nice tasty burger from Relish Saint John!
Today I was fortunate enough to enjoy lunch with Mr Mike Biggar. While Mike is a Bayview banker by day, there is no question that he is a soul sensation by night.

This particular visit was not Mike’s first visit to Relish, in fact he told me that he enjoys the restaurant very much and usually relishes The Big Texas. Both feeling a bit on the adventurous side today, we decided we would try something new. Mike ordered The Jersey City- a delicious meat patty topped with fried field mushrooms, pickled peppers, pancetta bacon, and provolone cheese. Of course every burger is also served on a fresh sesame seed bun. Mike decided to compliment his burger with the increasingly popular sweet potato fries. I chose this week’s feature burger: Under the Tuscan Sun. This unique burger is made up of sundried tomato pesto, creamy goat cheese, pancetta bacon, and balsamic syrup. This Italian inspired burger is only available from February 1st until the 7th and is sure to be a hit among cold Saint Johners looking for a little extra warmth on their lunch break.

As Mike Biggar and I began to talk I was able to learn a lot about this unique musician and his journey thus far. Growing up in West Saint John, Mike joined the seminary upon the completion of high school. He spent many years working in a church as an assistant. He was heavily involved leading the youth there and eventually formed a gospel band. He performed regularly with his wife Laura Mcneil , who is also a very talented piano player with an album of her own due to come out this April. While the gospel group did become very successful in his region, Mike eagerly wanted to get back to his Maritime roots and focus on a potential solo career.  Mike released a self titled EP in 2009. Not long after that he signed a management deal with Jeff Liberty at JLArtists. As a result Mike has been very involved in many musical events throughout the area. He was showcased at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards, numerous festivals and venues around the region, Saint John’s 225 celebrations and more recently at the Charlotte County Flood relief concert. In August, Mike also received an honourable mention ranking in the 17th Annual Billboard Magazine Songwriting competition.

Christmas 2010, was a very busy and successful time for Mr. Biggar. Besides, the usual hustle and bustle of Christmastime, Mike was able to release a full length album called The Season. This project was a tremendous success and the album became a local phenomenon. It received nationwide radio play and was embraced by many of Biggar's  fans young and old. Through CBC, Mike Biggar's  hit was  broadcasted all around the country – a big accomplishment for such a local artist!

It is no question that Mike Biggar is very talented when it comes to singing and songwriting. His powerful lyrics, skilful guitar playing and soulful voice truly makes him an extraordinary local. Aside from his musical career, Mike is a very friendly and approachable man. His positive energy and love for life is definitely shown both on and off of the stage. In addition to all of his success thus far, Mike is also encouraging his fans to check out his latest project. Centered at the Bourban Quarter, Mike will be doing a new show called “Mike Biggar and the Guest Who?” Starting on February 26th, Mike will be hosting a night of music featuring him and a special guest. It looks like Andy Brown is first on the docket, so be sure to check out this great event. Mike will also be continuing to work and record new music with plans of releasing some new tunes by the late summer. As well on April 13th he will be heading to the East Coast Music Awards in Charlottetown for the second consecutive year. For more information about Mike, his musical career and future events be sure to check out his website at http://www.mikebiggar.com/

Concluding our meeting, I think it is safe to say that we both left feeling very satisfied with the good food and good conversation. We were once again serviced by the best and both look forward to coming back for more. Mike Biggar was relished today, how can we relish you !?



 

Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with... Bill Eaton!

Despite the busy schedules of a sunny Saturday, nothing is keeping people away from trying the best burgers in town!

Today I had the great honour of meeting with Mr Bill Eaton, the owner of Relish Gourmet Burgers located at 26 Germain Street. With Jaqueline at the counter and Jessica on the grill, I was encouraged to indulge in the unique menu that Relish has to offer. Bill relished the Great One and I had the Simpleton. The service was prompt and the use of my name when the food was ready truly made the experience personal. Relish offers a diverse menu of burgers in order to satisfy anyone's taste. With anything from The Big Texas, The Greek Tycoon, Jersey City, Harvest Jazz or Saint John's signature burger The Great Fire, Relish is guaranteed to leave everyone of all ages and taste buds wanting more. All burgers come in either beef, turkey or veggie patties, a choice of side and let's not forget The Pop Shoppe to drink- an old time favourite for many!

After we finished our meal, Bill gave me an exclusive tour of the newly renovated restaurant. Formerly Reggie's the location needed to be totally revamped in order to make it into Relish! The bright colours and modern decorating scheme makes this location one of a kind. Even the bathroom is fully equipped with a chandelier and fireplace! Downstairs is completely finished with extra seating or the possibility of a private event. 

Besides becoming acquainted with the restaurant, I was meeting with Bill to discuss an upcoming project that we will be working on. Be sure to keep an eye out for a new article entitled "Carly Schofield is Relishing Saint John with... " Each week I will be dining with extraordinary people of Saint John in order to learn more about them and of course their experience at Relish. This one of a kind concept will allow the people of Saint John to become familiar with interesting people and to know that Relish promotes community involvement and support for one another. 

As Relish quickly becomes one of the most popular burger places in town, I urge you to give it a try today. With the affordable pricing, outstanding service and desirable menu, I am sure it will have you longing to come back time and time again. I sure know that's my plan. Let us relish you today!