Posted by Greg Clow in events, events upcoming on October 24, 2008 at 7:54 am
Foodies and local history buffs alike will be interested in "Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto, 1830-1955", an exhibit that opens this weekend at the Toronto Reference Library. As the name suggests, the exhibit will present 125 years of Toronto's culinary history in the form of cookbooks (including a copy of The Cook not Mad, or, Rational Cookery, the first English language cookbook published in Canada in 1831), restaurant menus, archival photos, food labels, catalogues, and much more.
This weekend also features the last half of the Planet In Focus environmental film festival, which this year features a spotlight series of food, with screenings at various locations throughout the city. And drinkers will be gathering at the Convention Centre tonight for Whiskey Live, and at an assortment of wine events taking place at assorted restaurants and venues over the next seven days.
The full list of happenings for the next week follows below, and as always, our Events page has more information on these and many other upcoming events in Toronto and area.
continuing until Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Chocolate Fest '08
various venues
various times
various ticket prices
The Toronto Chocolate Festival, successfully launched last year to great reviews, is back for its second year. This is the event where chocolate is featured in all its magnificent and tasty forms. Chocolate Fest '08 promises to present several delectable, delicious and simply decadent events. See the festival website for full details.
[more info]
continuing until Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Take a Walk on the Riverside
various locations on Queen Street East between Don Valley and Degrassi
various times
various prices
For ten days, discover historic "Riverside Row", a small 'hood with a big personality. Located in one of Toronto's oldest communities, Riverside stretches ten short blocks along historic Queen Street East between the Don Valley and Degrassi Street Bridges. The Riverside Business Improvement Area welcomes you to be entertained, wined and dined, with prix fixe menus, store and service specials and the most delicious drinks ever concocted. Rediscover an old Toronto neighborhood with its familiar storefronts of bakeries, barbers and tailors plus add to the mix, designer clothing stores, unique new restaurants, hip new galleries and bars, our emerging floral scene and the best burgers in town!
[more info]
continuing until Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Edwardian Tea
Spadina Museum Historic House & Gardens, 285 Spadina Road
sittings at 12:00 noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
$17.50 - call 416-392-6910 to reserve
Enjoy the elegance of a bygone era at Spadina's annual afternoon teas. Savour tea sandwiches and treats made on site from Edwardian cookery books from our collection.
[more info]
continuing until Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Planet in Focus Film Festival
various venues
various times
various prices
The ninth edition of Canada's premiere environmental film festival, Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, will feature over 80 of the world's best films on a wide range of environmental themes and subjects by Canadian and international filmmakers. Planet in Focus showcases films and videos in all forms: documentary, drama, animation, experimental, new media. This year's timely Spotlight Program is "Food: The Big Picture". It will highlight the local and global concerns about food production, food security, food policy, its cultivation, manufacture, handling, distribution and, ultimately, the direct connection between the state of the environment with what, and how, we eat. The festival will also host panels and discussions in an exploration of the global food crisis as well as recent developments within Canada.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
3rd Annual Bone Appetit Chef Challenge
Steam Whistle Brewery, 255 Bremner Blvd.
7:00 PM to 12:00 midnight
$100
In order to highlight World Osteoporosis Day, Osteoporosis Canada presents its third annual Bone Appetit Chef Challenge. The challenge will be for chefs to prepare different dishes/menus that showcase "bone savvy" foods: those high in calcium and vitamin D. The high-end cocktail reception will feature 15-minute demonstrations by each of the featured chefs, a tasting of each dish, a silent auction, entertainment and, of course, great food. Judges for the evening will be four chefs from the Food Network Canada show Restaurant Makeover: Massimo Capra, David Adjey, Corbin Tomaszeski & Brad Long.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008 -- Sun, Nov 02, 2008
Diwali Delicious
Jaipur Grille, 2066 Yonge Street
$29 (+ tax & tip) - call 416.322.5678 to reserve
Known as the festival of lights, Diwali has religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and is enthusiastically celebrated by people around the globe. This year, Jaipur Grille will be celebrating India's largest festival by offering a peek into the cultural and culinary delights with its own Diwali Delicious event. Diners will be presented with a Diwali Delicious Tasting Menu offering two appetizers, two mains, and desserts along with a generous list of accompaniments including saffron rice, naan, raita, potato and eggplant bhurta - all presented on traditional Indian platters (thali). $2 from each tasting menu goes towards Second Harvest.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Vintages Finest & Rarest Wines Auction - Sale 1, Session 1
Centro Restaurant, 2472 Yonge Street
dinner at 6:00 PM - auction at 7:30 PM
$325 for dinner and auction - call 416-365-5767 or 1-800-266-4764 to reserve
free admission for auction only - call 416-364-1864 to reserve
This year, with so many exceptional wines, Vintages in association with Ritchies Auctioneers will be conducting two large auctions of fine and rare wines. This first session of the first auction also features a gourmet dinner at Centro.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Pear Canning 101
Culinarium, 705 Mount Pleasant Road
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$50 - call (647) 430-7004 to register
Join Krista Harrington - founder of From These Roots Preserves - to learn the basics of home canning and a few tips to liven up traditional tastes. Let's go back to our roots and preserve Ontario Pears for enjoyment all winter long. This is just one of the many Pear Up events in Toronto this Month. Join us in supporting Ontario Pear Farmers.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
The Camera & The Gourmet: A Journey Through Spain
lecture: Royal Ontario Museum (Education Classrooms, Level 1), 100 Queen’s Park
dinner: Segovia Restaurant, 5 St. Nicholas Street
6:00 PM to 10:30 PM
$90 ($80 for ROM members) for single lecture/dinner - $315 ($280 for ROM members) for full 4-week series
Enjoy four evenings of photography, travel and food. Each session begins at the ROM with a talk on the basics of how to take better photographs followed by a fascinating slide presentation about the country featured that evening. Each evening culminates with a gourmet meal at a fine Toronto restaurant. This week, photography topics include: composition; how to photograph landscapes, sunsets and silhouettes.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Healthy Kids Expo 2008
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
see website for admission info
The Healthy Kids Expo is a tremendous three day event which is filled with fun, education and entertainment with an impressive cast of health conscious celebrities, educators, politicians, practitioners and exhibitors that will share their wisdom about important health and environmental issues. You will experience visual and hands on enrichment demonstrations, get your bodies moving, sample great tasting healthy organic foods and visit over 200 exhibitor booths. Adults and children alike, will be entertained, educated and inspired to take action for making a difference towards a healthier body and a greener tomorrow.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Local Food Plus & Fiesta Farms One-Year Anniversary Celebration
Fiesta Farms, 200 Christie Street
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
free
Please join Local Food Plus at Fiesta Farms to celebrate the one year anniversary of our partnership with Toronto's largest independently owned supermarket. City of Toronto Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Trinity-Spadina, Joe Pantalone, will be in attendance to say a few words, along with a local chef, who will be cooking up a delicious pork and pear dish. Come out to meet our special guests and LFP Certified farmers, and to enjoy an LFP Certified food tasting including the tantalizing combination of pork and pears!
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Global Wine Tour: Exploring The Wines Of South Africa
Fine Wine Reserve, King Street West and Spadina
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
$75 - call 416-909-0460 to reserve
Join one of Canada's foremost wine experts, Steve Thurlow, on a one evening tour of South Africa's most important wine regions. This interactive evening will have you tasting 8 different wines and learning about the different wine producing regions of this very celebrated wine producing nation. Over the course of the evening, you will learn about the unique wine making styles and grape varieties that makes it one of the world's most important wine producing nations. You will also learn about how to match food to the types of wines coming from there. A small sampling of dainty morsels will be provided to assist in the learning of matching food with wine.
[more info]
Fri, Oct 24, 2008
Whisky Live Toronto 2008
Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building), 255 Front Street West
4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
$95 advance/$110 at the door for VIP ticket (4:00 PM admission) - $50 advance/$60 at the door for regular ticket (7:00 PM admission)
Whisky Live Toronto is Canada's whisky tasting event of the year, bringing all the very best whiskies from around the world under one roof. Appealing to both the enthusiast and the novice Whisky Live Toronto has expert advice on hand as well as the opportunity to learn about the whisky basics. It is the ultimate whisky experience with a stunning range of whiskies, delicious food, Masterclasses, live music and regular nose-off competitions.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 25, 2008
Anna Olson: "In the Kitchen with Anna"
The Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge Street
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
free admission
Book signing with Anna Olson.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 25, 2008 -- Sun, Jan 11, 2009
Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto, 1830 to 1955
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
free admission
This exhibit traces 125 years of culinary history in Toronto from the publication of early cookbooks, the development of household appliances, the rise of manufactured and convenience foods, grocery shops, dining out, victory gardens and rationing during the war years and the growing sophistication of an urban palate.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 25, 2008 -- Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Vintages Finest & Rarest Wines Auction - Sale 1, Sessions 2 & 3
Ritchies Auctioneers, 380 King Street East
10:00 AM on Saturday - 12:00 noon on Sunday
free admission - call 416-364-1864 to reserve
This year, with so many exceptional wines, Vintages in association with Ritchies Auctioneers will be conducting two large auctions of fine and rare wines.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 25, 2008
Winemaker's Dinner featuring Chateau des Charmes
The Little Inn of Bayfield, 26 Main Street North, Bayfield
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
$100 - call 800.565.1832 to reserve
Enjoy a gourmet wine tasting dinner courtesy of Chef Joseph Watters, designed to showcase select vintages from Niagara's Chateau des Charmes Winery. Sharing her intimate knowledge of wine with the chef, the winemaker helps create a menu that reflects the notes of the wine in the taste of the food. Acting as host for the evening, winemaker Madame Andree Bosc will then create an atmosphere of wine appreciation, heightening wine knowledge for her guests and explaining the intricacies of each glass.
[more info]
Sat, Oct 25, 2008
iYellow Harvest Wine Tour
depart/arrive at Vineyards Estates Wine Store, 228 Queens Quay West
9:30 PM to 6:30 PM
$120 per person - $220 per couple
Ever dreamed of owning your own vineyard? Ever wanted to harvest grapes? Ever wondered how wine was made? If so, we've put together this special and unique wine tour for you! All great winemakers will surely say that great wine is made in the vineyard. So come and see for yourself why that's true and get your hands dirty clipping and harvesting local Ontario grapes! The tour will include stops at Jackson-Triggs Winery, Pillitteri Winery and Palatine Hills, plus free time for lunch and shopping in Niagara-On-The-Lake.
[more info]
Sun, Oct 26, 2008
Fall Luncheon for Stratford Chefs School Gastronomic Writer in Residence Program
Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen's Park
1:00 PM
$250 - call 519.271.1414 or email admin@stratfordchef.com to reserve
After a tremendously successful first year, The Stratford Chefs School's Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence Program is searching for its next writer, for the upcoming 2008/2009 school year. The selection committee, chaired by Elizabeth Baird, has confirmed a short list - Michael Symons, Corby Kummer, Claudia Roden and Michael Pollan - and the selection will be announced at this fall luncheon, which is also a fundraiser for the program.
[more info]
Mon, Oct 27, 2008
Comparative Tasting with Georg Riedel
Capitol Event Theatre, 2492 Yonge Street
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
$250 - call 416.861.1331 to reserve
Join us for a spectacular evening. Georg Riedel, the master of the wine glass, will lead a comparative tasting featuring stunning wines from Antinori, Pascal Jolivet, and Silver Oak Cellars. In addition, the evening will feature a special personal appearance by Pascal Jolivet! Come and experience the difference a glass can make and support the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. Not only will Georg lead you through a tasting of superb premium wines from the Halpern Enterprises portfolio, but you will also take home a set of Riedel Vitis glasses and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 28, 2008
Introduction to Wine
Crush Wine Bar, 455 King Street West
6:30 PM
$200 for four-week course (Tuesdays, Oct 21 to Nov 11)
Introduction to Wine is a class for all wine lovers to expand their wine knowledge and entice their wine palates. The course is aimed at those who wish to gain a good grasp of the basics of wine by exploring their knowledge of countries, regions, aromas and flavours. Learn the five steps of wine tasting - colour, swirl, smell, taste and savour. From the Cabernet grape of Chile, Australia, Lebanon, Southern California and France, to the Malbec grape of Argentina and Chile, your tastebuds will be treated to a mini wine tour.
[more info]
Tue, Oct 28, 2008
Ontario Harvest Cooking Class
Culinarium, 705 Mount Pleasant Road
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$75 - call (647) 430-7004 to register
Eating locally with the seasons can sometimes be a surprise as Mother Nature will determine what is on your plate. Tonight will be no different. Join Owen Steinburg - executive chef of Il Fornello Restaurants - as he cooks his way around Ontario and through a three course meal using the freshest seasonal produce available. Menu to be determined based on what is fresh and in season, but regardless it's guaranteed to be delicious!
[more info]
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
Yeast Breads for Beginners
Culinarium, 705 Mount Pleasant Road
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$60 - call (647) 430-7004 to register
Nothing tastes better than homemade bread. Let chef Paula Bambrick demystify bread baking as she shows you how to proof yeast, mix and knead bread dough and shape loaves and rolls. Learn how to make a selection of delicious breads featuring a variety of whole grain flours including Red Fife Whole Wheat Loaf, White Spelt Brioche Loaf and Oatmeal Cinnamon Buns.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
Bountiful Wednesdays
Stonegrill On Winchester, 51B Winchester Street
seatings start at 5:00 PM
$40 (plus taxes & gratuities) - call (416) 967-6565 or reserve online
Every Wednesday, Stonegrill On Winchester teams up with Henry of Pelham family estate wines and Riverdale Farmer's Market, to produce a menu featuring organically raised fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. The 3-course prix fixe menu features local seasonal dishes and desserts feature organically grown Ontario strawberries. Experience the true taste from farm to table.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
Local Lunch at Palais Royale
Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd West
12:00 noon to 3:00 PM
admission by donation - proceeds to The Dancing Classrooms Project and Evergreen
Chef Steffan Howard will be purchasing locally grown products every Wednesday at the new Evergreen Brickworks Chef's Market. Created in partnership with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, this new market will connect local farmers with chefs in Toronto. The market will provide our chefs with easy access to locally grown food, to simplify distribution channels, and to strengthen networks between chefs and local growers. To show support for this great initiative by Evergreen, Steffan will be preparing a totally Ontario grown lunch for Palais Royale staff on Wednesdays in October and November, and we want to invite you into our kitchen, meet our staff and have lunch with us. We can inform you about buying and cooking locally and at the same time get to know our neighbours.
[more info]
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
Savour the Taste: A Burgundy Wine and Food Celebration
The Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor Street West
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$100 - call 416-259-4445 ext 10 to reserve
Charity evening for The New Haven Learning Centre for Children with Autism, featuring live & silent auctions, as exclusive selection of new Burgundy wines from France, bite-size gourmet delicacies, and live music. Museum exhibits will be open during the event.
[more info]
Thu, Oct 30, 2008
Halloween at grano
grano restaurant, 2035 Yonge Street
7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
$95 - $85 for Royal Ontario Museum members
Hear tales from the Ancient and Medieval worlds about this most unusual time of year. Become immersed in the ethereal worlds of the unknown. Accompanied by a special Halloween dinner at Lucia and Roberto Dante Martello's famous grano restaurant. Optional: wear a mask and/or hat of your favourite historic character. Prizes for the best.
[more info]
Thu, Oct 30, 2008
The Variety Show: Part Three - Grab a Cab
Vineyards Estate Wines, 228 Queens Quay West
7:00 PM
$15 for single seminar - $48 for series of four
The Variety Show is a series of four wine tasting seminars presented by sommelier Glen Siegel. Part three: Where's a Cab when you need one?!? Glen pays tribute to the King of Reds and examines the realm of flavours and aromas of this most regal grapes.
[more info]
