Content Creator, The Farah Kitchen
Omar Farah knows his way around a kitchen. As the creator behind The Farah Kitchen — an East African food blog with nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram — he claims he can replicate almost any dish found in restaurants. However, he has never been able to recreate his favourite take-out dish from his go-to spot: Swiss Donair.
It’s not for lack of trying; Farah has even bought his own rotisserie to replicate the spicy and savoury flavour of the long-standing north-side institution, but nothing quite compares to a visit to the donair shop. Farah tops his donair with ingredients not typically found in Edmonton’s traditional mix of lettuce, tomato and onion. He prefers banana peppers, pickles, black olives and extra sweet sauce — a little tang to balance out the richness of the donair meat.
“I’ve been going there as long as I can remember; they’ve been a staple in my monthly, if not weekly, rotation,” he says. “My order pretty much hasn’t changed in the last 20 years.”
A self-professed “donair connoisseur,” Farah appreciates the certain je ne sais quoi of Swiss, from its sweet sauce to the homey, friendly service. After two decades of patronage, it’s no surprise that the front counter staff know him by name. – Allison Stephen
Swiss Donair
Evansdale | 8308 144 Ave NW, Edmonton | swissdonair.com
Since long before she became Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor, Salma Lakhani’s family would make an annual trip to Hawrelak Park to soak in the serene outdoors and ethereal sounds from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. And though there have been some changes over the years — like, say, her daughters growing up and moving away and, more recently, the festival temporarily relocating from the beloved amphitheatre during park renovations — she never forgets to tick Symphony Under the Sky off of her summer bucket list.
There’s something magical about the warm late-summer air, the glow of string lights and the hum of the orchestra floating over a sea of picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Lakhani remembers once bringing bells so her daughters could play along during Tchaikovsky’s dramatic 1812 Overture. That moment — the crowd chiming in, the cannons roaring — remains her favourite memory of the festival’s 30-year history. She’s looking forward to another year of classical and contemporary, which this year includes Beethoven and Haydn alongside Broadway tunes and Hollywood scores. – Brooklyn Hollinger
Symphony Under the Sky
August 20 – 23, 2025 | winspearcentre.com
Vice President of Partnerships and Community Relations, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Laura Kinghorn has to schedule relaxation. As the vice president of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, she holds a fast-paced and demanding position that keeps her in constant motion, fluttering between meetings, community engagement and public events — not to mention multiple volunteer commitments. “If I’m not prioritizing myself, I get sick, completely run down and my body shuts off for me,” she says. To avoid burnout, she makes a nearly monthly pilgrimage to her favourite recharging station: Bliss MediSpa.
Bliss offers a full range of premium services with medical expertise, both Western and Eastern, allowing clients to enjoy pedicures, acupuncture and private primary care all under one roof. For Kinghorn, it’s the perfect blend of luxury and self-care, especially the refreshing facial treatments that leave her feeling ready to show up fully for her team, community and herself. –Allison Stephen
Bliss MediSpa & Integrated Wellness
Mactaggart | 5954 Mullen Way NW, Edmonton | blissmedispa.ca
This article appears in the July/August 2025 issue of Edify
