Natasha Thomson, left, and owner of Knotty Pine Bistro, Barb Lychak, right, hold some of the awards presented to the restaurant after the conclusion of poutine week in 2022. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Gravy Bowl championship returns to Prince Albert

Mar 13, 2025 | 8:00 AM

While perhaps not as well known as the Super Bowl, there’s no denying there’s a big appetite for the Gravy Bowl.

It’s a part of Poutine Week, a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert (BBBS) that returns on Friday and there are 11 participating restaurants this year.

BBBS Development Coordinator Natasha Thomson noted this is their fourth year.

“You know it’s growing. Last year we made over $5,000 from this event and we just think it’s popular,” she said.

Four dollars from each poutine dish goes to support the local organization and helps support the mentor programming.

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“We have one-on-one mentoring and group programs as well. All of them are helping young people who are facing adversity,” she explained, adding the money raised will be used for direct programming, cost training, recruiting and training volunteers and just keeping the lights on at their office.

A list of the participating restaurants. (Facebook)

Thomson explained there is a need for more volunteers to step up and become mentors, adding they have about 12 kids waiting on the waiting list right now.

In addition to the prestigious gravy bowl which gets awarded to the restaurant that sells the most poutine, there’s also a separate prize for the restaurant that has the most social votes.

Thomson explained the way to vote is by visiting the restaurant and taking a picture of yourself sampling the poutine, then posting the picture to the BBBS social media accounts.

“And if you use our hashtag (#papoutineweek), it’ll be a vote for the restaurant, and you’ll also be entered to a win a $25 restaurant gift card,” she said.

For the past two years, the Gravy Bowl has been awarded to Knotty Pine Bistro, but they are not participating this year and so, there will be a new champion.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social