Food events in Toronto during the winter aren't quite as plentiful as in the summer months but there's still some delicious fun to be had. Look forward to chef battles, cheese tastings, chef talks and collaborative dinners.

Here are my top picks for the season.

See also: The top 5 beer events in Toronto this winter.

Evergreen Winter Village Local Food Court - Weekends until March
To accompany ice skating, holiday markets, and guided hikes, the Evergreen Brick Works has brought on local chefs to whip up seasonal specialties every weekend until March 6. Visitors can look forward to vendors like Heirloom, Original Chimneys, J.K. Frites, and more cooking out of food trucks and shipping container kitchens.

TOCA's Cheese Cave Event Series - monthly starting Jan. 9
Taking place once a month until March, this cheese tasting experience highlights local and international cheeses paired with wines, scotch or craft beer selections. Tickets are $45 per person.

Table Talks - Tuesdays starting January
The Depanneur launches an informal culinary salon in the new year. Taking place every Tuesday at 7 p.m., drop in to these free events to partake in intimate talks with a local food personality with optional dinners priced around $12.

Staff Meal - weekly starting Jan. 11
Parcae kicks off this weekly winter chef series taking place every Monday until March. Guest chefs from cities across Canada and the U.S. will offer collaborative menus with Toronto's local talent.

Monogram Dinner by Design 2016 - Jan. 19 to Jan 24
The Design Exchange (234 Bay Street) hosts a diverse cast of designers, artists, and personalities this January to create three-dimensional dining installations. Tickets for the gala dinner in support of Casey House and the Design Exchange cost $500, while the early bird tickets for the cocktail party are $100 before December 31.

UCC Chef Battle - Jan. 21
The Underground Chef Company kicks off a new season of competitive cook-offs in January. Location is TBA, but the first competition will see chef Terry Port of Prohibition pitted against chef Harrison Hennick of Omaw.

Winter Fiesta - Jan. 25
Warm up with an evening of drinks and treats at Reforma 35 (35 Baldwin Street). The evening kicks off with a vertical tequila tasting led by Andres Marques and hands on guac and ceviche making with chef Marcos Sanchez followed by a fiesta of January flavours.

Winterlicious - Jan. 29 to Feb. 11
The annual prix fixe program is back offering the opportunity to enjoy three course menus from over 200 participating Toronto restaurants and culinary events including intimate chef dinners, classes, demos and more.

Year of the Monkey - Feb. 1
Ring in the Chinese New Year at Kanpai. The Tawainese snack bar will celebrates the year of the Monkey with a selection of eats that reflect prosperity, health and good luck.

Food on Film - monthly beginning Mar. 2
Back for its fifth season, TIFF's Food on Film subscription series will bring together chefs, food experts and film lovers for monthly screenings featuring culinary cinema and conversation. Executive vice-president of the James Beard Foundation, Mitchell Davis kicks off the season with a discussion on The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Full programming schedule TBA.

What did I miss? Add your most-anticipated winter food events to the comments.

Photo of Reforma by Jesse Milns.