The Happy Nun Cafe's reach is expanding far beyond Forget, as the local eatery will be featured during a season three episode of TV's 'The Prairie Diner' on Tuesday, March 22 at 10:30 p.m.
“Doing the show was a great experience for us,” says owner/chef, Katie Vinge. “Especially because we're right in the middle of nowhere-so it was exciting for us that they were excited about us and wanted to feature us on the show.”
The episode was shot on location at The Happy Nun in June 2015 and staff and a few close family members and friends had to keep the news under wraps until the air date was announced in February.
“We still don't know who nominated us to appear on the show,” says Vinge. “But we received some favourable comments and recommendations on the show's website and that's how they found out about us.”
“('The Prairie Diner') notified us and they told me they were shooting season three and they would record the show about five months before the air date. We received an eight-page email, which told us how the day was going to go, what the episode was all about, the timing, and what they wanted to feature.”
“But really, what they wanted to do was show viewers what we were all about,” says Vinge. “And what we're all about is summed up on a plate-fresh and local foods and a place that allows us to combine our passions: building a local food community, music, and art.”
With this in mind, Vinge says deciding which dishes to prepare and serve on the show wasn't a difficult one.
“I chose a handmade gnocchi that incorporated a bunch of local ingredients and a brunch item, because we love our brunch.”
“We knew we had to include one brunch item, because our brunch is unique and different for the area, and we wanted people to know what it was all about.”
“I put my own spin on the gnocchi,” she adds, “Because it's really a reflection of myself and the dishes we serve in the restaurant.”
Vinge says the prep work was done the day before the shoot. “We did the prep work the day before, in containers that were all set out and ready to go, so there's no fumbling in the fridge when we're filming.”
Show host Jody Peters and a four-person camera crew arrived at 7:30 a.m., and wrapped up filming at 4:30 p.m., says Vinge.
“Then they stayed right into dinner service. It was a Saturday night, so we had a Regina band-Mes Amis-at the Nun, so they're featured on the episode as well. It portrayed exactly what we're all about with the music and the food.”
“We also did a mock lunch service for the show. Because we couldn't announce that they were filming, we invited family and friends to be our customers for that part of the show-and of course, they were all sworn to secrecy,” laughs Vinge.
Although The Happy Nun has recently been nominated for a Saskatchewan Tourism Award of Excellence and has received visits-and media exposure-from 2015's Saskatchewanderer, Ashlyn George (via the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport), Saskatoon radio personality Kevin Power, as well as being featured on Access TV's 'Prairie Palate'-this is the first time the restaurant has been featured on network television.
When asked about any pre-filming nerves, Vinge says, “We did feel some nerves at first. Me, my husband (and Nun co-owner) Riley (Riddell) and my sister and our manager at the time, Jillian Vinge were the only ones there at the time.”
“But we all hit it off right away with Jody and his crew. He's so easy-going and was joking all the time-and of course he loved making Forget jokes-like: 'I'll never forget Forget' that any nervousness we felt disappeared pretty quickly.”
“And once you get going, there's no time to be nervous. I really felt at ease while we were working in the kitchen, because we're both passionate about food, and once you start talking about and doing something you're passionate about, you forget about being nervous.”
Although Vinge welcomes the media exposure and the potential expansion of the Happy Nun's customer reach, she says she is grateful for “our loyal local following.”
“We've had people from all over this area come to The Happy Nun and they often bring guests from throughout Canada and the U.S. to The Happy Nun,” she says.
“One of the coolest things is that there are so many celebrations held here. We've had birthdays, anniversaries and about eight marriage proposals have taken place here. It's an honour that people see this as a special place to celebrate the most important occasions in their lives.”
“As a matter of fact, our episode of 'The Prairie Diner' will air just after our one-year anniversary on March 13 as owners of The Happy Nun,” she adds.
“It's kind of crazy to think about it; the time has gone by so fast,” she says. “We've come such a long way in the past year and we've learned so much about ourselves and people. I feel like it's all happened so quickly, but we've been so fortunate to build on the rapport that (former owners Don and Shannon Shakotko) built up with this place-the music, the artwork...And hopefully, with the food, I've added my special touch.”
“I'd really like to thank everyone in the community and in our entire surrounding area for making this dream of mine and Riley's real,” says Vinge.
“This is the place we should be-living and working and making food,” she adds.
“And I hope we are, for years to come.”
The Happy Nun Cafe will be featured on 'The Prairie Diner', Tuesday, March 22 at 10:30 p.m. It can be viewed on: Access Communications:12-Basic and 518-HD, Shaw: 7,9,11,13-Basic, depending on region and 213 HD, SaskTel: 19-Basic and 319 HD and Bell: 31-Basic and 352-HD.
For more information, visit: www.thehappynuncafe.com
