Eat & Drink
Chef Thor and friends bring a Taste of Iceland to Toronto
Getting a taste of Iceland isn't as hard as one might think, and Iceland really isn't as far away as one might think. Despite perceptions we may have, it's not just a cold, barren place with little more to offer than pickled fish, the occasional quirky musician, ice-covered volcanoes, and souvenir viking hats (granted, you can find all of these things there if you seek them out). Iceland is a place that's much warmer in January than it is here in Toronto, with a thriving nightlife scene that sees people of all ages partying until 6am on weekends, and it's breeding grounds for creativity in design, arts, music, and culinary delights. Fortunately, and short of hopping on a plane, there's an opportunity on the horizon to experience a slice of Icelandic culture right here in Toronto.
The Taste of Iceland is coming to The Drake this week, bringing the traditional-with-a-twist Icelandic food of world-renown chef Thorarinn Eggertsson, the cranked-up guitars and organic sounds of Mugison, and the impressive interwoven installation art of Shoplifter.
Eat & Drink
Torontonians say "Yes in my backyard" to new garden sharing program
The Stop Community Food Centre is spinning NIMBY into YIMBY with their new Yes In My Backyard Program. Got a backyard you want to put to good use, but don't have the time or ability to garden? Want to garden, but don't have the space to do it? Just leave it up to the people at the Stop, who are matching up land with gardeners in and around their neighbourhood at St. Clair and Christie this spring.
Eat & Drink
Toronto Kids Cook To Care
As part of an under-the-radar volunteer program called Kids Cook To Care, this past Saturday 17 kids got down and dirty as they cooked for over 100 Torontonians in need. They washed, diced, measured and grilled under the direction of Cava's Chef Chris McDonald in the kitchen facilities of St. Olave's Church, with the results being a tasty and conscientious paella.The idea for Kids Cook to Care came to founders Julie Levin and Jill Lewis, both mothers themselves, as way to create volunteer opportunities for their own children. And since I am essentially an over-sized kid myself, I decided to check the event out.
Eat & Drink
Toronto Fridge Files: Corey Mintz Opens Up
I am always interested in what food can tell me about a person. In "The Fridge Files" I provide candid snapshots into random and willing Torontonians' lives by categorically breaking down the heart (or maybe more appropriately the belly) of their kitchens, the fridge.In this edition, I dig around the fridge of food writer Corey Mintz and his roommate.
Eat & Drink
The Windsor Arms and JP Challet's Next Act
Fresh off his battle against Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chef Jean Pierre Challet is full of inspiration and is ready to teach Torontonians a thing or two about dining.After designing and opening the kitchen in the Windsor Arms over ten years ago, chef JP Challet is returning to the boutique hotel to open his restaurant, Ici. Along with partners Jennifer Decorte and Peter Tsang, Challet plans to open his restaurant with a concept that could very well spell the death of fine dining in Toronto.
Eat & Drink
Baking Over Coals at Todmorden Mills
You know what really says Super Bowl Sunday in my books? Baking Victorian sweets in a 19th century kitchen at Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum. Granted, even after three and a half hours of manual labour we still finished well before the game. But being neither a football fan nor the kind of girl who makes seven-layer bean dip for the boys, I had no reason not to check this unique experience out.
