As we noted a couple of weeks ago, there’s much more to Winterlicious than just the ubiquitous prix fixe deals. The event also features a series of dinners, brunches, lectures and workshops throughout the city, all of which were detailed in a previous post.

New this year, though, is something called the Winterlicious Chef Series, which features four of Toronto’s top chefs - Claudio Aprile of Colborne Lane, Didier Leroy of Didier, Guy Rubino of Rain and David Lee of Splendido - creating elaborate multi-course tasting menus for your dining pleasure.

Unlike the other Winterlicious events, this series is not for the budget-minded, as all of the dinners are in the range of $150 per-person - and that’s before adding tax, tip, and optional wine pairings. But if you’ve got a spare few hundred bucks kicking around, or some room on your credit card, when why not splurge on what will be undoubtedly be an unforgettable night out.

If you’re po’ like Kenny, at least you can console yourself by looking at the prix fixe menus, which are now online. Reservations for the prix fixe promotion which runs January 25th to February 7th, 2008 can be made starting January 10th.

For the big spenders, here are the details on the Chef Series dinners:

Monday, January 28 & Tuesday, January 29, 2008
An Evening with Claudio Aprile and Curtis Duffy
Colborne Lane, 45 Colborne Street
6:00 PM
$149 (plus taxes and gratuity) - $49 for wine pairing option - call 416-368-9009 to reserve
Claudio Aprile, regarded as one of the most innovative and creative chefs in Canada, has worked in some of the most progressive and influential kitchens in the world. Guest chef Curtis Duffy, from Chicago’s highly acclaimed restaurants Alinea and Charlie Trotters, brings his forward-thinking menus to Toronto to collaborate with Chef Aprile. Together, the two chefs will prepare a 10-course menu for your enjoyment.

Wednesday, January 30 & Thursday, January 31, 2008
An Evening with Guy Rubino
Rain, 19 Mercer Street
seatings begin at 5:30 PM
$150 (plus taxes and gratuity) - $65 for wine pairing option - call 416-599-7246 to reserve
Savour a six-course tasting menu of mouth-watering Asian cuisine created by Chef Guy Rubino. Be treated to a wine pairing with your meal with wines specially chosen by Michael Rubino to complement each dish of your menu.

Tuesday, February 5 & Wednesday, February 6, 2008
An Evening with David Lee and Normand Laprise
Splendido, 88 Harbord Street
cocktail reception at 6:00 PM - dinner at 7:00 PM
$145 (plus taxes and gratuity) - $90 for wine pairing option and reception - call 416-929-7788 to reserve
Chef de cuisine David Lee builds his “Mediterranean Eclectic” menus using only fresh local products. For Winterlicious, Chef Lee collaborates with Montreal Chef Normand Laprise of TOQUÉ! Restaurant, recognized as one of the best restaurants in North America. Chef Laprise showcases fresh Québec products. Together they’ll design a seven-course tasting menu featuring the best that Canada has to offer.

Wednesday, February 6 & Thursday, February 7, 2008
An Evening with Didier Leroy
Didier, 1496 Yonge Street
seatings between 7:00 and 8:00 PM
$145 (plus taxes and gratuity) - $65 for wine pairing option - call 416-925-8588 to reserve
Chef Didier Leroy is a master of Classic French Cuisine. His style is that of simple, elegant perfection, using the finest, freshest ingredients and products from France and Canada. Chef Didier will present an unforgettable six-course menu.