Chef On The Go - For All Your Catering Needs

Catering in Toronto has recently seen a resurgence in the city over the past few years in an industry that is now as competitive as ever. Catering companies have been around for decades and for many years these companies have often been overshadowed by restaurants when it comes to finding the right venue and food to plan a large or even small social gathering. In the past parties would revolve around guests traveling to a specific brick and mortar restaurant, but now with the ever changing times convenience is everything.

One of the elite catering companies in Toronto right now is Chef On The Go. Just like how the name sounds, convenience is built right into it where their dedicated kitchen staff and Executive Chef will come directly to you to create an unforgettable experience with fresh and innovative menu options for you and your guests in the Greater Toronto Area. Owner and Executive Chef, Roni Prizant started Chef On The Go back in 2011 and it's now become one of Toronto's fastest growing "boutique" catering companies. They have also just been recently awarded "Toronto's Choice Awards" by EventSource which recognizes the top 5% professional catering service providers in the city!

Roni has always had a passion for food and cooking, and from a young age he found great joy in serving his latest culinary creations to his friends and family. His heart was always in the kitchen and now with his own catering company he is able to spread his passion for food to each of his clients, ensuring a personalized hands-on service with a customized menu designed for their event and needs.

With a new year and season upon us, Chef On The Go hosted their very first Open House at their home base in North York to showcase their boutique services and new seasonal items available this year on their catering menu. With four types of catering options (private, corporate, wedding, and drop-off), their array of menu options will make any event a delicious and memorable one. Their one-of-a-kind mobile kitchen was also on site, which are perfect for event spaces that may not have a kitchen available. To get a taste of what type of food to expect from a catered event from them, you'll just have to scroll down and see!

Candy Stripped Beet Lollipops with Walnut Crust

Fully Loaded Cheese & Charcuterie Board

Mini Root Beer Float (2oz white shooter glass) & Wild Boar Sliders with Sundried Tomato Jam, Smoked Ocra & Arugula

Torched Tuna Tartar on top of Pan Fried Sushi Rice Cake w. Pickled Ginger and Chives

Sharp Cheddar Profiteroles filled with a Garlic Shrimp

Mini lobster Taco’s with a Kewpie & Heirloom Carrot Slaw

Scallion Cake with Seared Duck and a Mango Slaw with Ginger Laced Crispy Shallots & Hoisin

Banana Mousse Cake

Chocolate Ganache Tart

If you're in the midst of planning an event, big or small, make sure you reach out to Chef On The Go for all your entertaining needs. They even offer turnkey solutions for every occasion where they will handle every single detail for you from the floral arrangements, music, decor, bar services, dishware and tableware rentals, venue consultation, and staffing. Of course above all else you're going to get the highest quality catered food in the city for all your guests with any of the food options shown here (and that's only a small sample of what they offer!). The last thing you or anyone else for that matter is to be stuck inside a kitchen preparing the food where instead you should be out socializing and entertaining your guests.

Mobile Kitchen Trailer

To inquire about planning your next catered party with Chef On The Go, visit HERE to get in touch with them and get that first conversation flowing! Start visualizing now the event of your dreams and let Chef On The Go turn that dream into a reality.

Chefs for Change Dinner with Aeroplan

Many of us may only associate Aeroplan with the reward miles we save up to redeem for travel, but as they grow in terms of their food and beverage sponsorships we will begin to see them as big players within the largest food festivals across this city and country. With some exciting new  partnerships already, Aeroplan is the Official Premier Sponsor of Toronto's Winterlicious and Summerlicious this year, which is one of the most prestigious and popular culinary events in Toronto with similar culinary sponsorships in Montreal and Vancouver.

Last week I was fortunate enough to be part of the Aeroplan team as we embarked on a night full of delicious food that was all for a worthy cause at the Chefs for Change dinner. For the first three months of the year, Chefs for Change is an event that hosts some of Canada's best chefs during five nights of food. Each night features a special culinary collaboration from the top chefs in Toronto and across Canada. These dinners also bring profound meaning, substance, and community involvement as the net profits from the ticket sales will go help Community Food Centres Canada, an organization that builds health, belonging, and social justice in low-income communities across Canada through the power of food. This has been an organization and cause that Aeroplan has been supporting for a number of years and a cause dear to their hearts.

Each of the five nights will incorporate a theme into the dinner that will all take place at Propeller Coffee Roastery, which gets transformed from the neighbourhood coffee shop in the day into a stunning culinary venue at night. I was fortunate enough to be part of the CONNECTION dinner that featured top chefs from the city's best restaurants like Richmond Station, Bar Isabel, Momofuku, Beast, Drake Hotel, and The Tempered Room.

Before the four-course seated dinner began, reception started off the night with wine, cocktails, and canapes as guests mingled with each other. Of course as one foodie does, my guest and I headed over to the bar to grab some drinks as we walked inside the venue. To say we were spoiled is an understatement. By the time we left the bar we had a refreshing gin cocktail from Top Shelf Craft Distillers on one hand, and a bottle of wine in the other. In all my past events when you ask for some wine you get a glass, but not here! You get to walk away with an entire bottle! Shout-out to Flat Rock Cellars and Cave Spring Niagara Peninsula for the Pinot Noir and Riesling to keep us hydrated throughout the night!

As 7:15PM approached the main event was about to start and we gathered to our assigned seats at our communal tables (table 3 represent!). Host Michelle Jobin guided us along throughout the entire evening introducing us to each chef as they came out to talk about their dishes they created for the dinner. With introductions complete the plates were ready to be rolled out to each of our hungry bellies and the exciting four-course dinner was to begin.

Here's a breakdown of what we ate!

First Course

Pork Jowls & Fluke - carrot, chickpea gochujang, white soy by Paula Navarrete of Momofuku and Ted Corrado of The Drake Hotel

Second Course

Empanadas - short rib and bone marrow with achiote aioli and braised chicken with oji costeno by Connie DeSousa & John Jackson of CHARCUT Roast House and Scott Vivian of Beast

Third Course

Pacific Cod and Chorizo Verde - confit potatoes, broccolini, cod sauce by Chris Brown of Victor Dries Events and Grant van Gameren of Bar Isabel

Fourth Course

Birch Nest - maple, black rice wine vinegar, lapsang, rosemary and mignardise by Bertrand Alepee of The Tempered Room, Carl Heinrich & Louis Lim of Richmond Station

Surprise Dessert!

Various Mignardises by Bertrand Alepee of The Tempered Room

To end the night off after such a fulfilling and exquisite dinner we all just had, Nick Saul (President & CEO of Community Food Centres Canada) gave us all an inspiring speech and reminded us all of why we were all there. There are many people out there who just don't have the means to eat lavish meals everyday, who fight every night to put a simple meal on the table for their family, yet it is food that is often the catalyst that brings people of all different ethnicities, ages, professions, religions, sexual orientations, political views, rich and poor to that same dinner table where friendships and community can be formed. Food can be used as a powerful tool for greater health, equity, and social change, treated as a basic right where everyone has the means, knowledge, and voice necessary to access good food with dignity.

I am so glad to see we have big businesses outside of the food industry like Aeroplan to support such worthy causes and give back to the community. Through some of these sponsorships and other food and drink initiatives, Aeroplan members will also have exclusive dining opportunities including:

• unique dining experiences such as chef collaborations from around the world

• priority access to culinary events and reservations

There will be even more opportunities coming up for members to earn and redeem miles for travel just by tasting the world right here at home with friends and family. If you are already an Aeroplan member and would also like to donate your miles to Community Food Centres Canada, please visit this link here.

I would like to thank Aeroplan on bringing me along to such an inspiring, uplifting, and delicious night. Great food is an integral part of the travel experience and Aeroplan is on the forefront of helping people share in meaningful moments by bringing everyone together through food and drink, a journey taken not in the sky but through our taste buds.

Dr. Oetker's Cioccolato's Ristorante - World's First Chocolate Pizzeria!

With the most romantic time of the year, Dr. Oetker is adding to their line of frozen pizzas just in time for Valentine's Day! This new pizza of theirs is called the "Ristorante Cioccolato Pizza," an indulgent chocolate dessert pizza that will surely make all your chocolate dreams come true!

To support this launch, Dr. Oetker will open the world's very first chocolate pizzeria in Toronto from February 9th to February 14th, 3PM to 9PM at 1056 Queen Street West. Once you take a step inside this chocolate pizzeria will transport you into a real, romantic Italian restaurant. Fitting to its theme, it is literally chocolate EVERYTHING inside. For example you'll find some showstopping pieces such as a low-hanging chocolate chandelier, chocolate pizza oven, chocolate covered walls, chairs, plates, tables, cups, utensils, and even Ristorante's diamond ring made from a chocolate pizza - Di Cioccolato Diamond! And yes the diamond ring is indeed real! You'll even find a security guard carefully manning the station to ensure the diamond ring is safe and sound.

This pop-up is completely free to the public where you'll be served complimentary slices of Ristorante Cioccolato's chocolate pizza before it becomes available in grocery stores. If free pizza doesn't entice you to come on by, they will also be serving complimentary glasses of prosecco to go with it! Got your attention now right?

To check out their official event page, click here to be directed to their Facebook page and let them know you're going! This is a limited time event for six days only so make sure you don't miss out before it's too late! There is literally two things in the world that people crave the most. Chocolate and pizza. And to combine them together into one is pure genius! You have a home run here Dr. Oetker!

Disclosure: I was paid by Dr. Oetker to attend and review the product. However opinions are of my own.

Jarritos - The Perfect Cocktail For Any Party

When it comes to entertaining often times the hardest part of putting a party together is trying to figure out what drinks you'll be serving to all your guests. Of course you can go the easy route and have a selection of store bought juices, pop, and beers on hand, but that's not the type of party you want to have. That's not the host you want to be! You want to provide your guests with choices. You want to elevate your party with home-made cocktails that get the alcohol flowing and people talking. Something that can be put together in a jiffy without leaving you stuck in the kitchen for hours on end. By the time you get through reading this article, you'll have at least one more party trick up your sleeve and let me tell ya. This is a good one!

A simple solution to spice up your next party that will surely be a hit among all your guests is by offering up the Mexican soda, Jarritos. Introduced in 1950 as Mexico's first national soft drink, this drink has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Made with 100% natural sugar, many of their 12 delicious flavours here in Canada are sourced from actual fruit trees in Mexico. You can drink them straight up out of their distinctive glass bottles or turn them into colourful cocktails for a new and exciting way to make some boozy drinks.

A few weeks ago Jarritos helped celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" aka Day of the Dead or All Souls Day in Toronto, where they hosted a media dinner at one of the city's finest Mexican restaurant La Carnita. We had the most epic Mexican feast the night after Halloween which consisted of Dips & Chips (the fresh guacamole was amazing), chicken wings, Mexican street corn, tacos, and paletas. One of the highlights of this feast was definitely the Jarritos cocktail that started the night off for me, and ended the night as well. I just couldn't stop drinking it and lucky for us here I have the recipe to re-create it back at home!

The "Strawberry For The Souls Cocktail" was created by Joanna Matysiak of La Carnita and incorporates the strawberry flavour of Jarritos in it. This is the perfect cocktail to incorporate at your next party because it's so easy to make and it just tastes absolutely delicious and refreshing with the aromatic strawberry flavour it brings.

Strawberry For The Souls Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

2oz Tequila
1oz Lemon Juice
3oz Coconut Water
3oz Strawberry Jarritos
Strawberry Slices (garnish)
Dehydrated Lemon Wheel (garnish)

Directions:

Combine tequila, lemon juice, and coconut water in a shaker and shake away. Strain contents into a mason jar (or glass) over fresh ice. Top up with strawberry Jarritos, garnish, and enjoy!

All pictures on this blog post taken by Josh Tenn-Yuk courtesy of Jarritos Canada

If you want to switch it up a bit, or add some more variety of flavours into the mix just replace the Strawberry Jarritos in the end and try some other fruit flavours such as Pineapple, Mango, or Grapefruit (all personally my other favourite fruit flavours from Jarritos). Half of the fun is getting to experiment with all the colourful and fruity flavours Jarritos offer!

Toronto Catering Showcase Season Two!

One of my favourite foodie events and experiences is coming back (thankfully) for a second season and it's all going down in just over a month's time on October 15th, 2017 from 12PM to 4PM. The Toronto Catering Showcase was such a huge success in its inaugural event last fall that it's no surprise the demand to have it again this year was buzzing.

In case you missed attending last year, The Toronto Catering Showcase is held at The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon inside the Toronto Reference Library bringing together twelve of Toronto's most notable and talented culinary masters in the catering world. The setting is elegant and luxurious, an ambiance of a live band playing on stage sets a relaxing and casual mood, and the best part of it all is of course the all-access pass to an afternoon of pure epicurean indulgence.

What sets this event apart from the other food festivals and events in this city is just how organized and simple they make it for us attendees. Once you show them your pre-paid ticket at the front door the world inside is basically your oyster. There are no drink or food tickets you need to buy. In fact there is no need to even bring cash or a credit card. Once you get in it's an all-you-can-eat and drink affair and you can basically hop from one vendor to the next at your discretion eating and drinking to your heart's content. You can even go back to the same vendor time and time again to grab the same dish if you choose to do so, but my suggestion is to save room in your stomach to try a dish from each vendor first before going back for seconds!

Below are the twelve caterers this year that have dedicated their careers to the art of fine food and exceptional presentation in which you will experience first hand while attending.

1) 10tation Event Catering

2) The Food Dudes

3) Drake Catering

4) Encore Catering

5) Treeline Catering

6) Presidential Gourmet

7) en Ville Event Design and Catering

8) MaRo Catering

9) Toben Food By Design

10) Kiss The Cook Catering

11) Daniel et Daniel

12) Elle Cuisine

As there is an all-you-can-drink element in this (and yes I'm talking about alcohol), this is indeed a 19+ event. General admission tickets start at $65 if you purchase them now online by clicking HERE, and a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door for $80.

New to this year is if you do plan to drive down to the event, complimentary valet parking will be provided by Adagio Valet Service, and every ticket purchased this year will also automatically enter you in a draw to win a prize! This is an event you do not want to miss out on so grab the tickets before they are sold out! Hope to see you all there!