Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for October 15 to 21

Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for October 15 to 21

Monday October 15

  • Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves up a $40 prix fixe menu of Italian fare with half-price wine bottles and no corkage fee. 1710 Queen St. W., 416-534-6700. Find out more »
  • 86’D with Ivy Knight: This week, a battle for doughnut glory. Watch the folks from Glory Hole Doughnuts, Dough by Rachelle, The Sweet Escape, Paulette’s and more put forth their best fried dough. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. 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 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gladstone Melody Bar. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., 416-531-4635. Find out more »
  • Mediterranean Flare: Marni Wasserman demonstrates a variety of Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian dishes. The menu includes lentil-cumin soup, quinoa tabbouleh, roasted eggplant dip, spelt pitas, baked falafel, and homemade hummus. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
  • The “Seoul” of Korea: Chef Carrie Rau shows how to make some of Korea’s national dishes, including jap chae, glass noodle salad, bulgogi, skewered marinated beef, mandu dumplings filled with pork and beef, and hoddeok (a sweet pancake with brown sugar and nuts). Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more » 
  • Workshop—Kids in the Kitchen: A series to help children aged 9-12 learn to cook, develop recipes and understand healthy food choices, run by holistic nutritionist Kate Leinweber. Week one kicks off with prep skills, super-power salads and healthy sweet snacks. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
  • Fizzie Bevvies—The Art of Home-Fermented Pop: Love pop, but not the lengthy list of ingredients on the can? This workshop will demonstrate how to make your own fizzy, home-fermented drinks packed with probiotics and other health-supporting products of fermentation. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »


Tuesday October 16

  • Eat to the Beat: Sixty of Canada’s top female chefs create mouthwatering treats at the 17th annual Eat to the Beat culinary fundraiser for Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. Expect a cornucopia of sweet and savoury foods, wines, premium beers and spirits for sampling at food and drink stations. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St. Find out more »
  • Fall Harvest Dinner: Learn to make a seasonally inspired weeknight dinner in 30 minutes. The menu includes roasted beet salad with oregano and goat cheese, acorn squash with rosemary and brown sugar, and Tuscan-style roast pork with rosemary, sage and garlic. The Chef Upstairs, 516 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-544-9221. Find out more »
  • Learn to Make Parisian Macarons: Discover the secrets behind no-fail macarons, and make two different flavours and colours of the Parisian treat, each with its own ganache filling. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
  • British Pub Experience: TV personality Christian Pritchard showcases his British roots with this cooking class featuring pub-inspired dishes like ploughman’s lunch, stilton and leek tart, bangers and mash with onion gravy, and sticky toffee pudding. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
  • Thai Flavours: Chef Brenda Kwong Hing gives a lesson on the ingredients, techniques and five flavour groups of Thai cuisine with a menu of coconut chicken soup, crispy calamari with spicy dipping sauce, green curry chicken with sticky rice, and stir-fried pomelo with crispy shallots. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »
  • Knife Skills with chef Martin Kouprie: Chef Kouprie, of Pangaea, leads you through the care and handling of knives and then lets you loose to practise. Bring your favourite knife with you, and other knives will be provided to try. The Cookbook Store, 850 Yonge St., 416-920-2665. Find out more »

Wednesday October 17

  • 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 »
  • Shellfish and Molluscs: An indulgent class from the seafood aficionados at Hooked. Learn the best techniques for searing scallops and sautéing shrimp—plus how to butter-poach lobster. Hooked, 888 Queen St. E., 416-828-1861. Find out more »
  • Rich Reds—The Power of Three: Get acquainted with the styles and aromas of three grapes: cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz. Expect hints of black fruits, chocolate, cassis and leather, along with firm tannins. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
  • Arepas and the Colombian Kitchen: In this combination dinner and workshop, Colombian culinary expert Cookie Martinez shares her tips for authentic arepas. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
  • Taste of Liguria: Church Aperitivo Bar celebrates the region with a five-course meal highlighting dishes from its capital city, Genoa. $50 per person. Church Aperitivo Bar, 1090 Queen St. W., 416-537-1090. Find out more »

Thursday October 18

  • The Gourmet Games: The historic Berkeley Street Church hosts Toronto’s top chefs, globally renowned wineries and 250 food and wine aficionados for a series of foodie seminars followed by skill-testing quizzes. Participating chefs include Jacob Sharkey-Pearce of Ursa, Lorenzo Loseto of George and Chris McDonald of Cava. In support of Second Harvest. Berkeley Street Church, 315 Queen St. E., 416-940-1641. Find out more »
  • Tequila y Tapas: Jamie Kennedy hosts a tequila party at Gilead with the folks from Tromba Tequila. Guests get two cocktails and a selection of Mexican-inspired tapas. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. 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 »
  • Cancer-Fighting Foods: Learn what foods can help heal your body from the inside out. The menu includes liquid nutrition smoothie, country miso soup, sweet potato mash, quinoa-shiitake-edamame pilaf, Napa cabbage salad, and apple-blueberry crisp. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
  • Italy’s Wine and Cheeses: Sip a diverse range of Italian wines, and find out which classic Italian cheeses are their best matches. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »
  • Green Bites Workshop—Fun Fermentation: In traditional food cultures, fermenting was primarily a mode of food preservation, but ferments are now returning to modern kitchens because of their health benefits. This workshop examines how they impact our digestive and immune systems, and attendees will create a sauerkraut to take home. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
  • Food for Change: The Stop chef Chris Brown prepares a five-course meal featuring local, sustainable ingredients. The focus this time is on world crops, with dishes like roasted long beans with soft-poached egg and shaved Thunder Oak gouda, marinated and roasted eggplant with red Indian carrots, and crispy banana bread with peanut butter ice cream and coconut Anglais. The Green Barn, 601 Christie St., 416-652-7867 ext 225. Find out more »

Friday October 19

  • Date NightA hands-on “sushi for beginners” class. Explore simple methods of preparing sushi that will charm even the most reluctant eater. Learn to make a variety of different rolls, as well as an accompanying amuse-bouche and dessert. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more » 

Saturday October 20

  • Roncesvalles Food Tour: Spend an afternoon in one of Toronto’s hippest neighbourhoods with a guided tour by Foodies on Foot, featuring visits to historical points of interest and tastings in shops. Find out more »
  • 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 »
  • 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 »
  • Sizzling Asian Stir-Fry: Chef Marian Staresinic, food editor of Bamboo Magazine, cooks up a range of easy-to-prepare and nutrition-packed stir-fry dishes, including kung pao shrimp. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
  • Supper Club—Sichuan Banquet with Sunny Zhai and Mary Zhang: The food typically found in Chinese restaurants barely scratches the surface of the diverse regional cuisines of China. The Rusholme Park Supper Club presents Sunny Zhai and Mary Zhang’s menu of authentic Sichuan dishes. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
  • Mucho Burrito Ghost Pepper Burrito Eating Competition: Mucho Burrito is challenging spice enthusiasts with the limited-edition Hotter than Hell Ghost Pepper Burrito. The winner of the competition will take home $2,500, with the second-place winner receiving free burritos for a year. Advance registration required. Eaton Centre Urban Eatery, 218 Yonge St. Find out more »
  • Chili Cook-Off: Six east-end chefs and their restaurants, Goods and Provisions, Ruby Watchco, Glas, Prohibition, Riverside and Table 17, face off in this charity fundraising event for the Ralph Thornton Centre. Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen St. E., 416-392-6810. Find out more »
  • Classic Cakes Auction: Indulge for a good cause. The North York Women’s Shelter is auctioning off an array of cakes, some donated by Toronto’s best pastry chefs, to raise money for its Capital Campaign. There’s also a chance to win a KitchenAid Artisan Mixer if you’d rather bake a cake at home. Yorkminster Citadel Salvation Army Church, 1 Lord Seaton Rd. Find out more »

Sunday October 21

  • Soupstock: A one-day culinary celebration from more than 120 of Canada’s top chefs in support of the fight against the Highlands mega-quarry. Woodbine Park. 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 »
  • Cake Pops—Halloween: Learn to make and decorate delicious cakes on a stick, this time with a Halloween theme. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
  • Workshop—Kids in the Kitchen: A cooking series that helps children ages 9-12 learn to cook and understand healthy food choices. Using local foods, holistic nutritionist Kate Leinweber will educate children on the safe use of kitchen utensils, variations on cooking and baking and recipe development. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
  • Book LaunchJerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi: The Cookbook Store hosts an onstage interview followed by a Q&A and book signing with this London-based duo who have created the Ottolenghi food shops and their restaurant Nopi. George Ignatieff Theatre, Trinity College, U of T, 15 Devonshire Pl., 416-920-2665. 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.
  • 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.
  • North York Civic Centre Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
  • 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)
  • 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.