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Toronto Taste, Premier Culinary Event in Toronto

Toronto Taste is an annual food and drink event hosted by Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity, for an all-inclusive evening of food and drinks.

This premier culinary event in Toronto was presented by The Daniels Corporation with over 90 food and drink purveyors, a lot of which are among the best in Toronto.

Since 1991, Toronto Taste has raised over $12 million in support of Second Harvest’s food rescue program. Every ticket sold allows Second Harvest to rescue and deliver over 520 meals to people in need in Toronto.


40 Food and Drinks from Toronto Taste 2017 in Corus Quay in Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Taste 2017

In its 27th year of fundraising, Toronto Taste 2017 took place on June 4, 2017 at Corus Quay. Tickets went for $260 each, with a $150 tax receipt.

To further support Second Harvest’s food rescue program, a variety of raffle draws and live auction happened that night including the opportunity to dine at Bob Blumer’s LA home or win a $10,000 USD in flight vouchers from Delta Airlines.

One thing I saw was the auction for “A Wild Evening with Michael Hunter” which went for $8,000. In total though, a whopping $925,000 was raised for Second Harvest!

A main feature of the night was the Chef Challenge, in which three talented chefs vied for the title of Toronto Taste 2017 Chef Challenge Winner.

Chefs Guy Rawlings (Montgomery’s), Anne Sorrenti (R&D) and Eric Chong (R&D) had to wow the judges by creating a dish from a box of mystery ingredients with 30 minutes to cook. The Chef Challenge Winner was Chef Guy Rawlings.

Chef Challenge at Toronto Taste 2017

I received a media pass to attend Toronto Taste which allowed me VIP access to the event.

This was my first time attending so I was very happy I got to do it since, according to Chef Mark McEwan, “Toronto Taste is the most important event of the year in this city”. It was such a fun night! Looking forward to next year already!

Also Read: Top Restaurants in Toronto

40 Food & Drinks

Following my experience from Cuisine & Cuvée, I changed my strategy at Toronto Taste and ate as I took photos. It turned out better as I got to try from 40 food and drink stations!

My top 2 dishes were the Capesante Crudo from Buca and Lamb Shank Baklava from Bar Reyna. Check out all 40 items below, in the order I had them!

The Spoke Club – Chef Robert Klunder – Chickpeas

Chickpeas from The Spoke Club at Toronto Taste 2017

MCO… Interesting Wines & Spirits – Clarendelle White Bordeaux 2014

Clarendelle White Bordeaux from MCO Wines & Spirits at Toronto Taste 2017

Sodexo – Chef Michael Smith – Duck Taco Spoons – slow roast duck, cumin lentil smear, arugula chimichurri

Duck Taco Spoons from Sodexo at Toronto Taste 2017

Petit Thuet – Chef Marc Thuet – Louisiana Style Hog

Louisiana Style Hog from Petit Thuet at Toronto Taste 2017
Louisiana Style Hog from Petit Thuet at Toronto Taste 2017

Farina Plus – Chef Domenic Giambattista – Agnolotti filled with radicchio, roasted walnuts, caramelized onions and ricotta

Pasta Noodles from Farina Plus at Toronto Taste 2017
Agnolotti from Farina Plus at Toronto Taste 2017

Cafe Boulud – Chef Sylvian Assie – Salted Cod Croquettes with lemon aioli

Salted Cod Croquettes from Cafe Boulud at Toronto Taste 2017

JaBistro – Chef Koji Tashiro – Ebi Oshizushi (Pressed Tiger Shrimp Sushi) and Salmon Oshizushi (Pressed Atlantic Salmon Sushi)

Ebi and Salmon Pressed Sushi from Jabistro at Toronto Taste 2017

Salt Wine Bar – Chef Dave Kemp – King Crab Cake

Chiado – Chef Manuel Vilela – Cod Cakes

Cod Cakes from Chiado at Toronto Taste 2017

Carbon Bar – Chef Hidde Zomer – Korean Fried Cauliflower

Lavelle – Chef Romain Avril – Albacore Tuna Tartare

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU8aHhOjOY5

Boehmer Restaurant – Chef Paul Boehmer – Ontario Wilk Leek Marinated Canadian Bison Ribeye, Chive Potato Gnocchi, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Wild Leek Cream Sauce, Natural Jus

Bison Ribeye from Boehmer Restaurant

Woodman Wines & Spirits – Beronia Tempranillo Rioja

Beronia Tempranillo Rioja from Woodman Wines & Spirits at Toronto Taste 2017

Enoteca Sociale – Chef Kyle Rindinella – Chicken Liver Mousse

Chicken Liver Mousse from Enoteca Sociale at Toronto Taste 2017

Hawthorne Food & Drink – Chef Ricky Casipe – Carbonara – hand-cut pasta, house-smoked chicken, schmaltz, crispy chicken skins, raw yolk

Carbonara from Hawthorne Food & Drink

George Brown Chef School – Chef John Higgins and the George Brown Chef School Faculty – Fresh Puffed Mozzarella on Cracker

Puffed Mozzarella from George Brown Chef School at Toronto Taste 2017

Boralia – Chef Wayne Morris – Pork Belly

Pork Belly from Boralia

Le Select Bistro – Chef Laura Maxwell – Socca Provencal with Grilled Merguez

Grilled Merguez from Le Select Bistro at Toronto Taste 2017

Rodney’s Oyster House – Chef Rodrigo De Romana – Wild Shrimp Corn Dog and Malpec Oysters

Wild Shrimp Corn Dog from Rodney's Oyster House
Malpec Oysters from Rodney's Oyster House at Toronto Taste 2017

Fabbrica – Chef Missy Hui and Chef Mark McEwan – Grilled Octopus

Grilled Octopus from Fabbrica

Patois – Chef Craig Wong – Juicy Jerk Chicken Shawarma

Jerk Chicken Shawarma from Patois at Toronto Taste 2017

Bosk (Shangrila Hotel Toronto) – Chef Richard Singh – Smoked Salmon Tartar Canapés

Smoked Salmon Tartar Canapés from Bosk - Shangrila Hotel Toronto

Bar Reyna – Chef Omar Ma – Lamb Shank Baklava – kataifi, lamb shank, saffron & burnt honey aioli

Lamb Shank Baklava from Bar Reyna at Toronto Taste 2017

Union Chicken – Chef Michael Angeloni – Buttermilk Fried Chicken with maple honey syrup, hot sauce and gravy

Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Union Chicken

Beretta Kitchen – Chef Cynthia Beretta – Sweet Soy Braised Beef Cheek topped with Mango Salad

 at Toronto Taste 2017

Buca – Chef Rob Gentile – Capesante Crudo – Hokkaido scallop, whitefish caviar, smoked ginger, senape yogurt, squid ink salt

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU8G-z-A0ID

Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse – Chef Danny McCallum – Japanese A5 served on hummus with herbs & jalapenos

Japanese A5 from Jacobs Steakhouse

Gelato Fresco – Hart Melvin – Spumoni Gelato

Spumoni Gelato from Gelato Fresco Inc. at Toronto Taste 2017

El Catrin Destileria – Chef Olivier Le Calvez – Sopes De Camaronilla

Sopes De Camaronilla from El Catrin Destileria

Joia All Natural Soda – Orange Soda with jasmine and nutmeg

Orange Soda from Joia All Natural Soda at Toronto Taste 2017

Globe Bistro – Chef Daniel Sanders – Beeswax Poached Rainbow Trout with green strawberry & honey preserve, spruce tip powder

Rainbow Trout from Globe Bistro at Toronto Taste 2017

Pure Spirits Oyster House – Chef Jonathan Viau – Malpec Oysters and Bacon Wrapped Shrimps

Malpec Oysters from Pure Spirits Oyster House

Against The Grain Urban Tavern – Chef Dave Isen – Parrot Bay Cocktail and Tuna Poke Nacho

Parrot Bay Cocktail from Against The Grain Urban Tavern at Toronto Taste 2017
Tuna Poke Nacho from Against The Grain Urban Tavern

La Crema Winery – Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from La Crema Winery at Toronto Taste 2017

Noce Restaurant – Chef Eron Novalski – Fresh Shaved Beef Carpaccio

Beef Carpaccio from Noce Restaurant

Antler Kitchen and Bar – Chef Michael Hunter – Duck Yakitori

Duck Yakitori from Antler Kitchen and Bar

Delta Sky Club Lounge – Aperol Spritz

Aperol Spritz from Delta Lounge at Toronto Taste 2017

Kanpai Snack Bar – Chef Trevor Lui – Braised Pork Belly, Beet Salad, Koji Radish, 5 Spice Chicken Skin & Micro Daikon

Pork Belly from Kanpai Snack Bar

Also Read: La Brea Food Pop Up with Kanpai

Oat & Mill – Candace Tierney – Coffee Biscotti Oats (Non-Dairy Ice Cream Alternative)

Coffee Biscotti Ice Cream from Oat & Mill at Toronto Taste 2017

Ufficio – Chef Ivana Raca – Risotto with spring vegetables finished with bottarga

Risotto from Ufficio in Toronto

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DISCLAIMER: Though I had complimentary media access to Toronto Taste 2017, all opinions are my own.


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