The fantasy of opening up one’s very own quaint bistro or cute café can all too often come crashing down when reality sets in.

Celebrity chef and restaurant consultant David Adjey comes to the rescue in his new show The Opener, debuting tonight on the Food Network.

Each episode sees the charming, and surprisingly calm, Adjey (pictured) working with rookie restaurateurs just days before their grand openings.

The result is a fascinating look into how much goes into opening a restaurant and how little some dreamers really know before jumping in.

We think we'll stick with making reservations.

Tuesdays at 9 p.m., Food Network Canada, www.foodnetwork.ca

If you find yourself trolling the frozen food section comparing the lesser of the two evils (thin crust pizza vs. low fat fettuccine alfredo), it's time to walk away.

Instead, head to Meez Fast Home Cuisine for a menu of made-from-scratch, ready-to-serve meals including gluten-free and vegetarian options. Paris-trained Global TV Saturday's Chef Judy Wood creates meals such as spicy curry chicken noodle soup ($7.50 for 500ml), chicken, broccoli and rice bake (from $8.95, pictured) and chicken chili (from $7.50) and stocks them in the store, ready to take away.

Meez Fast Home Cuisine, 11, 6449 Crowchild Trail SW,
 Calgary, 403-262-6333, and two other locations, www.meezcuisine.ca

We used to lump grocery shopping in the same category as cleaning: it’s just something you have to do. But at the new Sunterra Market, Keynote, picking up a few staples has become our favourite pastime.

Located in the booming Victoria Crossing hood, the 30,000-square-foot shop is a three-floor gourmet mecca.

On the main floor, grab a latte from the Market Café before picking out your produce, or stop in for a gelato before heading out. The second level includes a large communal space for cooking classes, including the 45-minute Lunch ’n’ Learn sessions, and on the top floor, take a seat for the made-to-order in-store meals by day, or seasonal menu by night paired with one of the 1,400 wines. There’s also a rooftop patio and outdoor grill.

Here’s to grocery lists.

Sunterra Market, Keynote, 200 12th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-261-6772, www.sunterramarket.com

Herbs are prized for their curative properties (basil helps to get rid of kidney stones), and adding a sprinkle of mint or thyme to a dish can make the meal.

But if you’re still hesitant to tackle the ultimate herb and vegetable outdoor garden, start small, and indoors with International Gardens by Eco-Culture Seracon ($19.99 each). The collection of six growing kits includes one tin with three herbs that are prominent in a specific region. The France box is made up of lavender, thyme and roquette (a.k.a. French arugula) while the Italia garden has basil, Italian parsley and oregano.

Salad anyone?

At Chapters Shawnessy, 16061 Macleod Trail SE., Calgary, 403-201-5660, www.chapters.ca

If an apple of day keeps the doctor away, we've got an MD in Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips.

Grown and manufactured in B.C., these tasty apple chips  are completely natural—and addictive. They make a perfect afternoon snack or post-dinner sweet treat.

Apples for dessert? Aren't you clever now.

Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips, $3.99 (or 2 bags/$5 on sale now) at Whole Foods, www.wholefoods.com

Cheese plates and veggie platters are classics, but for your next party, go worldly with EthniCity Catering.

Operated by the Centre for Newcomers, the catering collective creates edible delights from around the world including East Asian flavours, Latin American staples and South Asian items. Impress your guests with pakoras ($2.29) to start, followed by fatouche salad ($3.99) and a main dish of chicken korma with rice ($7.49). The aforementioned classics are also available but your guests will be too busy noshing on samosas and baked fatayer.

EthniCity Catering, 125-920 36th St. NE, Calgary, 403-537-8809, www.ethnicitycatering.ca

You’ve learned to cook Italiano and studied the notes on French wine, but nothing beats regional authenticity.

The Cookbook Co. Cooks' European culinary escapes lets foodies and oenophiles experience the real meal deal.

The popular week-long trips are held in the spring and fall and include tours of historical sites, wineries, artisinal farms, and markets.

The food and wine cycling tour of Languedoc in the south of France and the food and wine tour (minus the cycling) are already booking for next spring (from $2,900). If Italy is more your flavour, an Italian escape is planned for the fall of 2010 in Cortona, where you’ll spend a week in a 17th century farmhouse villa experiencing la bella vita.

www.cookbookcooks.com

Just a 30-minute drive south of the city, the Saskatoon Farm celebrates the Prairie berry in all its glory.

First off, fuel up with lunch at the Giddy Up Café, where you can have it sweet with a Dutch waffle topped with Saskatoon berry topping and whipped cream ($9) or savoury with the buffalo chili ($10.50).

It’s prime berry time, so get your fingers ready for the U-pick orchard (4 litres/$13). If you’re not into playing farmer for a day, shell out $18 for a berry-filled bucket at the General Store, where you’ll also come across other edible goodies such as Saskatoon and Chokecherry syrup, jam, vinaigrette and buffalo sausages and burgers.

We may never master a tractor, but who says we can't pull on a pair of wellies and play farm hand for a day.

www.saskatoonfarm.com

It’s the last ski weekend of the season but we’re skipping the slush for après ski early at the second annual Banff Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.

From now until Sunday, the place to be is the Grand Tasting Hall in the Fairmont Banff Springs, where over 60 wines, imported beers, scotches, ports  and spirits from around the globe will be at your fingertips.

Opt for either an afternoon or an evening tasting on Saturday ($20, $25 at the door) and  feast on dishes like Dungeness crab cakes and free-range bison mini burgers from local restaurants.

And since that spit technique is hard to master, check out the accommodation packages.

www.rockymountainwine.com