Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for October 1 to 7

Monday, October 1

• 86’D With Ivy Knight: This week, a “twisted foodie adventure” with Rodney Dangerfood, plus reinvention of the cosmo by GwaiLo cocktail queen Christina Kuypers. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. Find out more »
• Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves up a $40 prix fixe menu of their Italian fare with half-price wine bottles and no corkage fee. 1710 Queen St. W., 416-534-6700. Find out more »
• Piola’s Monday Night Mixer: Piola’s weekly aperitivo Italiano, with cocktail and beer specials and complimentary snacks. 1165 Queen St. W., 416-477-4652. Find out more »
• Burger Mondays: Enjoy $5 burgers and $5 pints on Mondays, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gladstone Melody Bar. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 416-531-4635. Find out more »
• Grocery Innovations Canada 2012: Exhibitors and delegates from all over the country gather to discuss their plans for the coming year and the top trends that will hit aisles in 2013. October 1 and 2. Metro Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W. Find out more »
  

Tuesday, October 2

• GE Café Chef Series—Celebrating the Harvest With Carl Heinrich: A series of workshops connecting eaters to the unique terroir, chefs and food culture of southern Ontario. This week, Carl Heinrich, winner of Top Chef Canada, discusses how the regional terroir of Stratford and Waterloo has influenced his cuisine. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Preparing the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey: Learn to use a dry brine rub to prepare the juiciest turkey you’ve ever eaten, as well as an accompaniment of kale salad and roasted brussels sprouts with toasted sesame salt. The Chef Upstairs, 516 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-544-9221. Find out more »
• Simple Italian Harvest Celebration: Join chef Emily Richards as she brings the flavours of Italy to the table with an authentic harvest feast. Menu includes: fig-stuffed veal roast with roasted tomatoes, garlic tagliatelle and crostata di marmellata (apricot jam tart). Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
• Gourmet Thanksgiving With Friends: Chef Jane Rodmell, owner of Rosedale’s All the Best Fine Foods, and her executive chef Nicole Rumball put a Mediterranean twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »

Wednesday, October 3

• Sip and Savour Ontario Food and Wine Festival: An annual local food and wine extravaganza, this year featuring Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station), Ryan Gallagher (Reds Wine Tavern), Andre Walker (The Boiler House), Trista Sheen (Crush Wine Bar), David Chrystian (Victor), and food trucks by El Gastrónomo Vagabundo and Cupcake Diner. In support of Houselink, a charity providing homes, community and opportunities for people living with mental illness. Distillery District Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill St. Find out more »
• Local Food Movement Dinner: Jamie Kennedy presents his latest Local Food Movement Dinner, a harvest season menu inspired and accompanied by the wines of Southbrook Vineyards. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. Find out more »
• An Evening to Your Health: Culinary nutritionist Marni Wasserman joins forces with vegan chef Doug McNish for a one-night-only five-course organic vegan meal. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
• A Chef’s Tour of Little Italy: Join the Culinary Adventure Company on a behind-the-scenes tour of Little Italy’s finest kitchens. 416-565-1730. Find out more »
• Shuck U—Oysters 101: Learn to shuck, slurp, garnish and present your favourite varieties like a pro at this introductory session on the bivalve. Hooked, 888 Queen St. E., 416-828-1861. Find out more »
• Tuscany’s Treasures: Taste a selection of delicious gems from one of Italy’s foremost wine-producing areas and discover the past, present and future of the region. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »

Thursday, October 4

• Green Bites Workshop—Thanksgiving Celebration: Leslie Stoyan teaches holiday favourites with a fresh spin using local, seasonal ingredients. Menu includes: endive, radicchio and watercress salad with cider vinaigrette and aged cheddar; honey-ginger carrots with toasted sesame seeds; and sour cherry scones with plum preserves. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Little India Food and Cultural Walking Tour: Learn about Indian culture and explore the restaurants, markets and food shops of this neighbourhood with the Culinary Adventure Company. 416-565-1730. Find out more »
• Scrumptious Sea Veggies: Explore the many health benefits of sea greens and learn a variety of simple recipes for these underwater gems. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
• Pinot Noir—The Heartbreak Grape: Notoriously picky about its climate, soil and handling, this tricky grape makes a popular wine. Find out why as you sample a variety of pinots from New Zealand’s Central Otago region and Australia’s Mornington Peninsula. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »
• Quinoa Revolution: The Cookbook Store hosts a seminar, Q&A and tasting for the new book Quinoa Revolution by Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming (authors of Quinoa 365). Kitchen studio adjoining The Cookbook Store, 1 Yorkville Ave., 416-920-2665. Find out more »
• The Lost Art of Preserving Workshop: Join Fresh City Farms for a workshop that includes instruction on the basic principles of canning, with a detailed walk-through of a seasonal canning recipe. Patagonia, 500 King St. W. Find out more »
• Highland Park Whisky-Tasting Series—Fundraising Dinner: The Canadian National Trust for Scotland Foundation holds its second annual fundraising dinner at The Caledonian. An evening of traditional Scottish food and music, including a five-course dinner and a Highland Park whisky tasting. The Caledonian, 856 College St., 416-547-9827. Find out more »

Friday, October 5

• Alexander Keiths’ Birthday Festival: An evening of beer, food, and live music to celebrate Alexander Keiths’ birthday. Performances by Dwayne Gretzky and Matt Mays, plenty of Keiths to go around and food from 11 food trucks, including Fidel Gastro’s, Rock Lobster Co. and Caplansky’s. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Bar Gilead Series: A Friday evening series at Gilead that focuses on tapas and cocktails. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. Find out more »
• Junction Food Tour: Foodies on Foot leads tour through this until-recently dry ’hood, stopping in for tastings at five or six shops and pointing out historical sites along the way. Find out more »

Saturday, October 6

• Stop Market Café: Enjoy a weekly meal sourced from ingredients found at the adjacent farmers’ market. Proceeds from sales at the café are reinvested in The Stop’s programs. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green Barn, 601 Christie St. Find out more »
• Chocolate and Cheese Crawl: Why choose one when you can have both? ChowBella Culinary Experiences hosts a chocolate and cheese tour of King and Queen West’s food shops. Find out more »
• Hands in the Bowl: The Evergreen Brick Works invites children (ages four to seven) and their caregivers to roll up their sleeves and learn how to mix, grate, mash and then eat their delicious creations—using only their hands. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Discover Greektown on the Danforth Walking Tour: Explore this quickly changing neighbourhood with the Culinary Adventure Company. Sample some Greek mezethes, indulge in Greek wine tasting and find the perfect addition to your kitchen while gourmet shopping. Culinary Adventure Co., 416-565-1730. Find out more »
• Introduction to Cupcake Decorating: A hands-on workshop teaching you how to dress up a cupcake. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
• Junction Food Tour: Discover this lively area as you sip and savour at foodie destinations along the way during a guided tour by Foodies on Foot, featuring visits to historical points of interest and tastings in shops. Find out more »
• Cupcake Couture: Learn to create gorgeous couture cupcakes with your own creative twists as you explore the baking and decorating possibilities of these ubiquitous treats. Bonnie Gordon College, 868 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-440-0333. Find out more »

Sunday, October 7

• Thanksgiving Dinner at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Local Kitchen hosts its first annual Italian Thanksgiving dinner, featuring traditional North American Thanksgiving dishes prepared Italian-style. Highlights include antipasto of ricotta, root vegetables, brussels sprouts and Gorgonzola; cappelletti stuffed with parsley root and goat cheese; turkey ripieno (stuffed) with chicken, duck, breadcrumbs and apples; and pumpkin panna cotta. $40 per person. 1710 Queen St. W., 416-534-6700. Find out more »
• Traditional Afternoon Tea Session: Enjoy a ladies’ afternoon tea session at Le Dolci. The two-hour tea service features an assortment of pastries like scones, tea sandwiches and cookies with fashion-inspired decorations. A wide selection of loose-leaf teas, from fruity to floral to peppery, will also be available. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
• Lettuce Wrap Night at Chantecler: Chantecler is offering lettuce wraps with meats, assorted pickles and condiments for $19 per person until 1 a.m.—or the food runs out. Chantecler, 1320 Queen St. W., 416-628-3586. Find out more »
• Mushroom Forage and Gourmet BBQ: Learn the basics of foraging while exploring the Don Valley in search of wild mushrooms and other edible plants, followed by a tasty gourmet lunch prepared by the Culinary Adventure Company’s chef. 416-565-1730. Find out more »

Farmers’ Markets:

• Sorauren Farmers’ Market: Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the field house at Sorauren Park. 50 Wabash Ave.
• East York Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 850 Coxwell Ave.
• Riverdale Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 201 Winchester St. (in Riverdale Park)
• Ryerson University MyMarket: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gould St., east of Yonge
• SickKids Hospital Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 555 University Ave.
• Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Northwest corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park near Dundas St. W. and Shaw St.
• 401 Richmond Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 401 Richmond St. W.
• Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 100 Queen St. W.
• Queens Quay Terminal Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 207 Queens Quay W.
• Bloor-Borden Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Green P Lot, Lippincott St. and Bloor St. W.
  
• Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 873 Dufferin St. (in Dufferin Grove Park)
• East Lynn Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 1949 Danforth Ave.
• Metro Hall Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. David Pecaut Square, 55 John St.
• North York Civic Centre Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
• Toronto Botanical Gardens Organic Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
• St. Lawrence North Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 92 Front St. E.
• Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 550 Bayview Ave.
• The Stop Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St.
• Withrow Park Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 725 Logan Ave. (in Withrow Park)
• Junction Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green P Lot, 385 Pacific Ave.
• Leslieville Farmers’ Market: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 20 Woodward Ave.
• Liberty Village Farmers’ Market: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Green P Lot, Hanna Ave. and East Liberty St.