Many of Toronto's top chefs are well known for having a charitable streak a mile wide, and one charity that receives a good portion of their time and attention - and most deservedly so - is The Stop Community Food Centre. For over 25 years, they've been one of Toronto's most important grassroots community organisations, and they'll be both celebrated and supported at the annual What's On The Table fundraising gala next Wednesday at the Palais Royale, with food provided by a who's who of the local restaurant scene.
Other fundraising events in the coming week include Vino della Vita, an Italian wine tasting gala at Roy Thomson Hall in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and a Bone China Tea for Osteoporosis Canada at The Boulevard Club.
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, 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]
continuing until 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]
Fri, Oct 31, 2008
Celtic New Year Dinner
The Millcroft Inn & Spa, 55 John Street, Village of Alton, Caledon
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
$75 (+ taxes and gratuities) - call 800-383-3976 to reserve
The Millcroft Inn & Spa will be hosting a special dinner to commemorate Celtic New Year - also known as Samhain, which is origin of the North American tradition of Hallowe'en. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous five course Celtic-inspired set menu, featuring the 'Four-Diamond' cuisine of award-winning Millcroft Executive Chef Roberto Fracchioni.
[more info]
Sat, Nov 01, 2008
Winemaker's Dinner featuring Megalomaniac Wines
The Little Inn of Bayfield, 26 Main Street North, Bayfield
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
$100 - call 800.565.1832 to reserve
Winemaker Sue-Ann Staff will host a gourmet five course, five wine dinner at The Little Inn designed to showcase select vintages from Megalomaniac Wines, such as "Narcissist Riesling" and "My Way Chardonnay". Book your table early for this enjoyable evening!
[more info]
Sat, Nov 01, 2008 -- Sun, Nov 02, 2008
The Road To Asia
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Court
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
adults: $5 - seniors & students: $3 - children 12 years and under: free
The Road to Asia Festival 2008 is a two-day festival celebrating the richness and exciting diversity of Asian culture, all under one roof. The festival creates a thriving multicultural atmosphere in which individual cultures are highlighted through their traditional food, arts and crafts, music, dance and martial arts. Countries participating in 2007 included Laos, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, India, Taiwan, and, of course, Japan. This year we hope to add to the communities represented in the festival. This festival takes the JCCC's motto of "Friendship Through Culture" to a whole new level.
[more info]
Sat, Nov 01, 2008
Whisky Lovers' Dinner
The Millcroft Inn & Spa, 55 John Street, Village of Alton, Caledon
6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
$145 (+ taxes and gratuities) - call 800-383-3976 to reserve
A unique culinary event featuring The Millcroft's award-winning cuisine and the exquisite whiskies of Premium Bottlers Inc. This event will include a welcome reception and a six course gourmet dinner menu with each course expertly paired with a specific Premium Bottlers whisky, or a wine chosen by Millcroft Sommelier Patrick Field.
[more info]
Sun, Nov 02, 2008
Vino della Vita
Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street
6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$125 before Oct 3 - $150 after
Experience the best of Italy at our 3rd annual wine-tasting gala! Sample from more than 100 exclusive Italian wines, delight in live entertainment and savour authentic Italian cuisine as you circle the elegant Roy Thomson Hall rotunda. Proceeds from this event will support the Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery.
[more info]
Sun, Nov 02, 2008
Consider the Oyster
Starfish, 100 Adelaide Street East
12:00 noon to 2:30 PM
$75 - $65 for Royal Ontario Museum members
Did you know that the King-Church-Sherbourne neighbourhood was Toronto's oyster district from the 1880s to the 1930s? Alison and Patrick McMurray, owners of Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill, invite you to enjoy an afternoon of oyster lore and sampling. Explore the history of oysters during the 17th and 18th centuries with Dutch still life paintings, recipes and culinary techniques. Watch a selection of oyster dishes as they are prepared. Then dig in! Includes tastings of oyster-friendly alcoholic drinks.
[more info]
Sun, Nov 02, 2008
Bone China Tea for Osteoporosis Canada
The Boulevard Club, 1491 Lake Shore Blvd West
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
$65 - call 416-696-2663 ext. 275 or email toronto@osteoporosis.ca to reserve
November is osteoporosis month and there is no better way to celebrate then bringing your friends and family to the 11th Annual Bone China tea presented by the Toronto and Area chapter of Osteoporosis Canada. Bring your notebook as you won't want to miss a single home decor tip from celebrity designer Glen Peloso from W Network and Food Network or bone health tips from medical expert Dr. Heather MacDonald. And for those that simply can't resist, you're sure to find something that catches your eye from one of the marketplace vendors.
[more info]
Tue, Nov 04, 2008
Fanti Wine Tasting Dinner
Noce Restaurant, 875 Queen St West
reception at 6:30 PM - dinner at 7:00 PM
$150 (+ taxes/gratuity) - call 416.504.3463 or email noce2@bellnet.ca to reserve
Le Sommelier invites you to an exciting five-course dinner where authentic Italian cuisine will be paired with the wonderful wines of Fanti San Filippo at Noce in downtown Toronto. For the first time in Ontario, we will taste the only white wine Fanti produces, the Macchiarelle Sant'Antimo Bianco 2007. The dinner will also feature their three reds and will finish with a refined example of Tuscany's glorious dessert wine, the sweet and luscious Vin Santo.
[more info]
Tue, Nov 04, 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]
Wed, Nov 05, 2008
What's On The Table
Palais Royale, 1601 Lakeshore Blvd West
6:00 PM
$225
An event celebrating our local bounty to benefit The Stop Community Food Centre, featuring food prepared by chefs from Amaya Bread Bar, Amuse Bouche, C5, Canoe, Cheese Boutique, Chiado, Cowbell, Frangipane, George, Jaime Kennedy Kitchens, Langdon Hall, Noce, Oyster Boy, Palais Royale and Scarmouche, plus live and silent auctions.
[more info]
Wed, Nov 05, 2008
Archibald Orchards & Estate Winery Tasting
Culinarium, 705 Mount Pleasant Road
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
$35 - call (647) 430-7004 to register
It has been said that Fred & Sandy Archibald consistently make the best fruit wine in Ontario, leading the way across a wide spectrum of styles. Favourites include dry Ida Red Oak Aged Apple Wine to sweet Apple Pie in a Glass. Fred Archibald, wine maker & grower, will be our guest tonight to talk about the wonderful world of fruit wines & how well they match with foods.
[more info]
Wed, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 2008
Global Wine Tour: Exploring The Wines Of Spain
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 Spain'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]
Thu, Nov 06, 2008
The Variety Show: Part Four - I'm Going Around the Blend
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 four: Take the three previous varietals and blend them together! Whether you call it a Bordeaux style, a Meritage or just a "Red"... variety is the flavour of blended wines. Get together with Glen as he explains and demonstrates what happens in the glass (or barrel) when friends blend together.
[more info]
Thu, Nov 06, 2008
Wines of Argentina Tasting
The Design Exchange, 235 Bay Street
7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
ticket info t.b.a.
Wine tasting event presented by Wines of Argentina, a body that groups more than 100 wineries, spread around every wine region of the country. These wineries represent 95% of the total of exports of Argentine wine.
[more info]
Thu, Nov 06, 2008
Holiday Treasures Arts/Crafts/Gifts Sale & Show
Fieldstone Day School, 2999 Dufferin Street
8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
free admission
Shop for unique treasures from talented local artisans including fashion, art, jewellery, giftware and food. Enjoy fresh food from Batterfingers (scrumptious nut-free baking), Little Rock Honey Farm (gourmet honey sauces and butters, honey mustards and more) and Organics on Bloor (a variety of organic groceries), and meet celebrity chef Ken Kostick between 12 noon and 2:00 PM.
[more info]
Thu, Nov 06, 2008
Hart House Wine Series 2008: The Rhone Ranger
Hart House Music Room, 7 Hart House Circle
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
$35 per tasting - $120 for all four tastings - reserve at (416) 978-8849 or uofttix.ca
Hart House is proud to kick off its 2008 Wine Series with the highly esteemed Randall Graham of Bonny Doon Vineyards in Santa Cruz, California. Randall Graham is a vitizen of the world, a champion of the strange and heterodox, of the ugly duckling grape varietals whose very existence is threatened by the dominant Cabo and Chardocentric paradigms.
[more info]
