Toronto Taste 2017 – Who’s Participating
As many of you know Second Harvest’s Toronto Taste is an event that means a lot to me. While I am not hands on with Toronto Taste this year, it is still an an incredible event for guests to enjoy a wonderful luxurious Sunday afternoon at the waterfront, as a showcase for the hospitality industry in Toronto and as a fundraiser for Second Harvest and their good works in food rescue.
Run by Second Harvest and a dedicated group of Steering Committee volunteers, Toronto Taste takes almost a year to pull together. Onsite, the restaurants, beverage companies, volunteers, hosts and staff start prepping almost 48 hours before the guest start arriving. It’s a herculean effort all in support of food rescue in Toronto.
It’s also one of the swankiest, tastiest, most exciting events I attend each year.
As a past Chair of the event, I know how meaningful and important it is to Second Harvest and the Toronto Taste committee to have great restaurants and Chefs involved in the event. This year, I reached out to a handful of the participating restaurants and Chefs to ask what it means to them to participate.
Chef Brad Long of Cafe Belong
I believe this is either the 23rd or 24th year I have participated
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
I’ve participated because, as food connects all people, this wonderful event connects those that revel in good food with those in dire need of the same.
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
I enjoy connecting with these people that revel and contribute but I love the chance to see all cooks & chefs since we’re rarely in the same place at once.
Cafe Belong is serving:
Smoked Speckled Trout with Tamari Aioli and Micro Cilantro on a Leek & Oatmeal Biscuit
Roger Mooking of Twist by Roger Mooking
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
I am an Ambassador for a Second Harvest because they simply do very necessary and fantastic work salvaging and redistributing food to families in need. As their premier event, it’s important that I support that.
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
Toronto Taste also is one of those events in the year that Toronto chefs can get together and hang out, everyone is so busy running their restaurants and it’s a good chance to connect to the community.
Twist is serving:
Meatballs – Mexican Spices, San Marzano Marinara, Lime, Parsley
How long have you been participating in Toronto Taste?
Roger participated with Toronto Taste since 2011 .
Chef Craig Wong of Patios and Jackpot Chicken
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
I love Second Harvest’s cause and no person in a great city like Toronto should ever go hungry.
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
I love seeing our Patois & Jackpot regulars, feeding guests that haven’t visited our restaurants before, and partying with some of Toronto’s best Chefs
Patios / Jackpot Chicken is serving:
Juicy Jerk Chicken Shawarma on a Mini Cocobread
How long have you been participating in Toronto Taste?
This will be our second year
Chef Rocco Agostino of Pizza Libretto
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
Many reasons! First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be able to support the wonderful efforts of Second Harvest and their food rescue program. It’s also a meticulously organized event, which makes it a breeze for my team and I to get organized. Thank you team Toronto Taste!
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
Aside from supporting a wonderful cause, I love to get together with all my fellow Toronto chefs. I make a particular effort each year to get around to as many booths as possible and try to visit everyone (and try their food too!!)
Pizza Libretto is serving:
Preserved lemon arancini, with garlic aioli and fresh dill
How long have you been participating in Toronto Taste?
5-6 years?!
Trevor Lui of Kanpai
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
it’s a tremendous event with a great cause behind it; and you get to be a part of a great core of chef/restaurant participants bringing great food to so many people in one place.
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
The combination of food, drink, connecting with old and new restaurant friends with a great environment all in the name of a great cause
Kanpai is serving:
We have a new dish we’ve conceived specifically for this event, excited to bring to the people: 5 Spice Pork Belly, Asian Root Slaw, Koji Radish and Chicken Skin
How long have you been participating in Toronto Taste?
This is our first year
Alan Liu of Linda Modern Thai
Why do you participate in Toronto Taste?
We are big supporters of Second Harvest and what they do. For a restaurant where our goals is always to reduce waste and to feed people, it just makes sense for us to partner with Second Harvest and their mission of food rescue. Toronto Taste is just one of the many ways we work with Second Harvest and help them raise money. Besides, Alexa made us do it.
What do you like/love/enjoy about the event?
First, Toronto Taste is just such a great event that does so much good. Second, it’s wonderfully fun to be surrounded by so many of your colleagues working together. And finally, Toronto Taste is so incredibly well organised. As a participating restaurant, you really feel that they really appreciate your presence and they really take care of you.
Linda Modern Thai is serving:
[Alan is leaving us salivating in anticipation. ]
How long have you been participating in Toronto Taste?
(Alexa, you may actually remember this better than me. Which was the year you dragged us there?)
Since 2012, Alan. But it feels like you have been involved for much much longer!
If you want to meet these Chefs yourself, get a ticket now. You’ll be amazed by the food, drink and good will that is Toronto Taste.
Get your tickets now at TorontoTaste.ca
