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Wedding Guide: the best catering companies in Toronto

(Image: Marigolds and Onions Catering)

À la Carte Kitchen
2 Thorncliffe Park Dr. (at Overlea Blvd.), Unit 43, 416-971-4068
Founders Simon Kattar (a chef) and Brian King (a sales and events professional) count royalty and other VIPs among their clients; they move effortlessly from large-scale events (at Roy Thomson Hall, the ROM and the Ontario Science Centre) to more intimate settings. The kitchen’s roster of chefs might start a meal with a chilled foie gras–fig jam appetizer with sauternes gelées and frisée-almond salad. Kattar strives to include local, organic ingredients, and has been pursuing his Lebanese roots with Middle Eastern–French cuisine, as in speckled trout with bulgur and green onion salad. Cocktail menu from $17.50 per person. Sit-down and buffet dinner $30–$60 per person (with a maximum of 2,000), plus wait staff and chef’s charges. No charge for tasting if event is booked. By appointment.

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The Dish

Food Events

April 9, 2013 | 3:43 pm

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Top chefs pair local food with craft brews at the upcoming Brewer’s Plate Toronto

Brewers-Plate-Toronto

Six years in and the earnest annual charity beerfest started by Jamie Kennedy, Slow Food Toronto, Local Food Plus and Green Enterprise Toronto to push sustainable food and drink in the city has become oddly almost trendy. There are artisanal beers from small-batch breweries, dishes made from regional ingredients, top Toronto chefs doing the cooking and a conspicuous locavore ethos (with proceeds going to charity). But the trend quotient ends there: the classy event on April 17 costs $125 per ticket, the attire is essentially suit-and-tie and the purpose is to raise dollars for the cause. This year, the roster counts chefs Chris McDonald (Cava), Lora Kirk (Ruby Watchco) and Brad Long (Café Belong), and the long list of local brewers includes microbreweries like Amsterdam and Steam Whistle serving suds alongside smaller shops like Beau’s and Nickelbrook. Find out more at brewersplatetoronto.org.

The Dish

Deathwatch

April 3, 2013 | 4:55 pm

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Jamie Kennedy is stepping away from the café at the Gardiner Museum

(Image: Richard Winchell)

On the same day that the ROM revealed that it’s closing C5, The Gardiner Museum, across the street, announced its own changing of the guard. On April 29, Jamie Kennedy is handing over control of the casual Gardiner Café to long-running Toronto caterer À la Carte Kitchen, though Kennedy will stay on as preferred caterer for weddings and other private events. The museum was previously the site of Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner, the chef’s flagship fine dining restaurant, which he closed in 2009 during a previous contraction of his culinary empire.

The Dish

Food Events

December 15, 2012 | 10:30 am

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Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for December 17 to 23

Porchetta and Co. celebrates two years in business on Thursday with $1 sandwiches (Image: Andrew Brudz)

Monday, December 17

Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves 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—Annual Sagittarian Ball: Get festive in your best cocktail attire while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Stasis Preserves, mead tasting from Rosewood Estates and cheap cocktails made by pros from the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. 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 »
Lettuce Wrap Night at Chantecler: Chantecler’s popular lettuce wrap night is now taking place twice a week. Come out on Sunday and Monday nights for lettuce wraps with meats, assorted pickles and condiments for $21 per person until 1 a.m.—or until the food runs out. Chantecler, 1320 Queen St. W., 416-628-3586. Find out more »
Make, Don’t Buy—Chocolates for Beginners: As part of the Depanneur’s Make, Don’t Buy series of DIY gift workshops, join Emily Zimmerman and learn how to make old-fashioned creamy ganache truffles, chocolate bark with toppings of your choice and crunchy chili-cornflake bars, all using organic, Fairtrade and locally processed Chocosol chocolate. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »

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The Dish

Food Events

December 1, 2012 | 10:30 am

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Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for December 3 to December 9

Foodies on Foot leads their Streetcar Food Tour on Saturday (Image: Robert Taylor)

Monday, December 3

Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves 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: Third annual Battle Offal. The city’s top chefs prepare the gnarly bits for you to sample. Competitors include the Group of 7 Chefs, Beast, The Stop, the Tempered Chef, Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21, Richmond Station and GwaiLo. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. 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 »
Guiltless Dessert Indulgence: Learn how to use healthy alternatives to dairy, wheat and sugar. Menu includes chewy chocolate brownies, carrot pineapple cake, coconut mango pudding and jam dot cookies. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
Simple Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes: Learn to quickly prepare three delicious and healthy meals: winter salad with pine nuts, radicchio and Asian pears; penne with sausage, fennel and pecorino; and fresh fish with tomato sauce and cherry tomato couscous. The Chef Upstairs, 516 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-544-9221. Find out more »
Workshop—Naturally Fermented Condiment Gift Pack: Holistic nutritionist Kate Leinweber leads a workshop that covers the how and why of simple fermentation while you prepare a delicious batch of homemade ketchup, mustard and relish, perfect for holiday gift giving. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »

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The Dish

Food Events

November 17, 2012 | 10:30 am

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Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for November 19 to November 25

Joshna Maharaj hosts a screening of Tampopo at the Revue on Thursday

Monday November 19

Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves 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: Warm up with a flight of boozy hot chocolates by resident bartenders Gord Hannah and Sandy De Almeida and a marshmallow sampler bar from The Sweet Escape. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. Find out more »
Gourmet and Gluten-Free: Learn to prepare gluten-free meals with Marni Wasserman. The menu includes carrot-apple soup, brown-rice pesto pasta and saffron-laced quinoa. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
Turkish Delight: Join chef Jenelle Regnier-Davis for an exploration of western Asian cuisine, a mash-up of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. Highlights include grilled pine nut and dried-currant beef kofta, tomato-bulgur pilaf with fresh coriander and Turkish coffee custard. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more »
Pasta Goodness: Paola Faiella leads a workshop on fresh pasta dishes, the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. The menu includes pappardelle with boar ragù and penne with asiago cheese and braised lamb shanks. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »
The Dinner Party at the Great Hall: Alexandra Feswick hosts a dinner inspired by Judy Chicago’s legendary 1979 art installation, featuring an all-star lineup of female Toronto chefs making dishes dedicated to the women who inspire them. Serving the meal will be some of the city’s top male chefs. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., 647-381-3401. Find out more »
From Scratch Cooking Workshop Series—Jamming with Manning Canning: This week, learn to make caramel-apple jam. Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. Find out more »

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The Dish

Food Events

October 24, 2012 | 4:47 pm

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Gallery: Susur Lee, Michael Stadtländer and other notable Toronto chefs prepare soups of all kinds at Soupstock 2012

(Image: Renée Suen)

An estimated 40,000 soup-seeking revellers and 200 chefs traveled to Woodbine Park last weekend to attend Soupstock 2012, the one-day culinary protest festival designed to raise awareness for the fight against the proposed mega-quarry in the Township of Melancthon. Building on the momentum generated from last year’s Foodstock, the Canadian Chef’s Congress and the David Suzuki Foundation convened the weekend’s festivities. Regardless of political affiliation, the sheer magnitude of the event was impressive: it’s a rare occasion that offers that many big-name city chefs (and, for that matter, that much soup).

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The Dish

Food Events

October 20, 2012 | 10:30 am

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Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for October 22 to 28

Cask Days takes place at the Evergreen Brick Works this weekend, complete with a Halloween costume judging contest (Image: Connie Tsang)

Monday October 22

Monday Night Dinners at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar: Every Monday night, Local Kitchen serves 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, celebrate with the chefs from Soupstock, and enjoy a tasty night of pairing Acadian Sturgeon caviar with Stillwater vodka. 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 »
Veggin’ Comfortably Workshop: Marni Wasserman demonstrates how easy it can be to switch over to a more veg-friendly lifestyle. Menu includes butternut squash, lentil and coconut soup, arame soba noodle salad, marinated kaleslaw salad and black bean burgers. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »
Sustainable Living and Ethical Eating—Cooking With a Conscience: Learn simple tips for a greener, guilt-free kitchen. The menu includes leek and golden beet barley risotto with spicy kale chips and whole roasted organic chicken infused. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more »
Luscious Greens and Grains: Chef and cookbook author Nettie Cronish prepares tasty and nutritious leafy green and grain dishes. Menu includes pot barley split pea soup with Shiitake mushrooms, spinach and dill and hot and sour buckwheat noodle salad. Kingsway LCBO, 2946 Bloor St. W., 416-239-3065. Find out more »

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The Hype

To-Do List

October 17, 2012 | 3:38 pm

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The Weekender: Soupstock, Cat Power and six other events on our to-do list

The Normal Heart returns to Buddies in Bad Times this week (Image: John Karastamatis)

1. SOUPSTOCK
In the wake of last year’s wildly successful Foodstock, over 200 chefs from across Canada—among them, Susur Lee, Anthony Walsh, J.P. Challet and Jamie Kennedy, Aaron Joseph Bear Robe and just about every other famous Toronto chef you’ve ever heard of—are gathering, spoon held high, at Woodbine Park to protest the Melancthon Mega-Quarry. The event is BYOBAS (bring your own bowl and spoon) and will take place rain or shine, so come prepared—though a poncho might be a good idea anyway if you’re prone to spills. All funds go to the Canadian Chefs’ Congress and the David Suzuki Foundation. October 21. $10 for 3 servings. Woodbine Park, Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Coxwell Ave., soupstock.ca

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The Hype

The Velvet Rope

October 15, 2012 | 5:26 pm

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Roberta Bondar, Jamie Kennedy and seven others discuss The Art of the City at the latest Walrus Talk

Matt Galloway giving his talk on the art of inclusion (Image: Jack Landau)

Last week at the AGO, the Walrus Foundation convened nine prominent Torontonians—Midnight’s Children director Deepha Mehta, CBC’s Matt Galloway, chef Jamie Kennedy and astronaut Roberta Bondar among them—and gave them each seven minutes to talk about one aspect of “the art of the city.” The result: nine little TED talks, more or less, about different aspects of Toronto in 2012. Some were funny, some were profound, and yes, some were a little pedantic. Here’s how it all went down:

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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 »

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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 »

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86’D With Ivy Knight: Chefs from the Gabardine, Luma, Seed to Sausage and more face off in the pâté battle of the year. The Drake, 1150 Queen St. W., 416-531-5042. Find out more »
Monday’s Dinner Chef Series at Chantecler: This week, chefs Jason Carter (ex-Centro) and Jonathan Poon (Chantecler) will be cooking a five-course tasting menu. Chantecler, 1320 Queen St. W., 416-628-3586. 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 Nyarai Cellars and 2027 Cellars. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. 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 »
Sustainable Living and Ethical Eating—Cooking With a Conscience: Learn simple tips for a greener, guilt-free kitchen. The menu includes leek and golden beet barley risotto with spicy kale chips, whole roasted organic chicken infused with apple, sage and garlic and more. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more »
Fit and Fabulous: Marni Wasserman teaches the positive impact of a whole-foods, plant-based diet on health and fitness. Marni’s Kitchen, 26 Lauderdale Dr., 647-477-8131. Find out more »

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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 »

Tuesday September 4

Escape the City—Canoe and Beach Dining Adventure: Paddle to the island with the Culinary Adventure Company for a gourmet beach picnic. 416-565-1730. Find out more »

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86’D With Ivy Knight: A special 86’D at the Drake’s Sky Yard, celebrating the pairing of chardonnay with corn. Sample Rosehall Run’s chardonnay alongside grilled corn dipped in the Drake’s selection of fine butters. 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 »
Summer Pasta Making: Join chefs Scott Savoie and Shahir Massoud and learn how to make, sauce, and store the best fresh pasta, including various noodles (tagliatelle, fettuccine), stuffed pasta shapes (agnolotti, ravioli, tortellini) and the softest potato gnocchi you’ll ever try. 201 Weston Rd., suite #101, 416-565-1730. Find out more»
Cooking for Cooks: Jamie Kennedy pays tribute to those who do service with a three-course dinner for industry folk (although non-industry types can come too). Gilead Cafe, 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. Find out more »

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