Cool Calgary: Pop-up vegetarian brunch

Bacon may bring the sizzle, and tofu will often act as a veggie stand in, but you'll find neither at a new Calgary brunch spot.

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That's because RoniZaide, who recently launched thecity's first pop-up brunch on weekends atCafe Koi, offers strictly vegetarian farewithout thefermented soy.

"I feel like serving tofu to vegetarians is a bit insulting, because there's so much other great things that you can work with and be creative with," says Zaide, who has beencooking for more than a decadein kitchensaround the world.

"I just wanted to challenge myself and say I'm going to do something that's totally tofu free."

The kitchen takeover started after a conversationwith the owners of Koi, who are friends of Zaide.

"They came over for dinner and we were just talkingand all of a sudden we started joking about sharing the kitchen, because they do lunch and dinner and I want to do breakfast," she says.

Calgary Eyeopener5:00The CBC's Danielle Nerman visits Roni's Kitchen

We continue our Cool Calgary series with a visit to the city's first 'pop-up' brunch for vegetarians.

Soon the joke was over and the group was talking seriously about launching a newvegetarian brunch spot for Calgary's eager morning eaters.

It provides Zaide the opportunity to learn and understand the business without jumping into the deep end.

"It's a very risky business," she says."See how it goes and then it can grow from there."

For those looking for something outside the norm, Roni'sKitchen offers chickpea scrambles, maple rose granola, hand-craftedpopsicles and bourekas, a savory Mediterranean-style puff pastry.

There's also live music to keep you entertained while you eat,but likethe missing bacon, death metal isn't on the menu.

"Not yet, maybe in the future if there's a demand for it," says Zaide.

This summer, theCalgary Eyeopener is featuring peoplecontributing to the "cool factor" of our city. If you know someonewhois making Calgary cool, send anemailto eyeopener@cbc.ca