A message from Edmonton Meals on Wheels:
Several restaurants are engaging in a friendly competition to crown the Edmonton region's top brunch dish, while raising money for meal programs that serve Edmontonians in need.
Participants in Best of Brunch YEG are offering featured brunch dishes until May 31. For every one sold, $1 goes to Edmonton Meals on Wheels. Diners are invited to scan a QR code at their table or visit the Best of Brunch website to vote for their favourites. Winners for the best overall, bestselling, best alternative, and most creative dishes will be awarded.
"It's a fun opportunity for everyone to show their appreciation for good food and support a good cause at the same time," said Joelle Fagan, communications and fund coordinator at Edmonton Meals on Wheels.
This is the first time in its 56-year history that Edmonton Meals on Wheels has run such a fundraiser (aside from a successful Hot Dog Fest in 2021). The response from restaurants for Best of Brunch YEG exceeded expectations, Fagan said. "The passion and enthusiasm is really telling," she said. "Our restaurant participants are all-hands-on-deck."
For Jiju Paul, executive chef of Golden Sparrow, Best of Brunch YEG is not just a chance to highlight the KFC Waffle.
"Edmonton has one of the most underrated and hardworking culinary scenes in the country, and Best of Brunch YEG is the ultimate celebration of that community," Paul said. "For Golden Sparrow, getting involved was about more than just showcasing a dish; it was about connecting with our neighbours and contributing to the city's identity as a premier food destination."
Central Social Hall is offering a gluten-free vegetarian dish called "That's What She Shells" at both its Ellerslie and St. Albert locations. Getting involved in Best of Brunch YEG was an easy decision, said regional operations manager Vance Bosch.
"One of our core values at Central Social Hall is 'to be central to our community,' which means to serve and support the communities we live and work in," Bosch said. "So this campaign was a no-brainer for us to support!"
Edmonton Meals on Wheels has operated since 1969 and has more than 500 active volunteers. In 2025, it delivered more than 71,000 fresh meals and logged roughly 40,000 volunteer hours. The organization serves not only seniors but anyone facing barriers to healthy eating — including people with disabilities, financial constraints, or caregiving responsibilities. Funds raised through Best of Brunch YEG will support the development of new meal programs, including those serving schoolchildren and transitional housing residents.
Beyond fundraising, Fagan sees the campaign as a way to connect the broader community with the mission of Edmonton Meals on Wheels. "We're about making sure that healthy meals are accessible to everyone in the community," she said.