Taste Local Taste Fresh Event in Kitchener

The weather was perfect for a foodie stroll along the river in St. Jacobs this past weekend.  Hundreds of attendees at the annual Taste Local Taste Fresh event were treated to culinary creations from local chefs partnered with local food producers and farmers.
Liaison College Kitchener was among those participating as chefs and were partnered with a local Egg Farmer from Elmira.

here's the scoop from Jackie (the administrator at the Liaison College in Kitchener)

.    It was an excellent event.  The students were excited about Taste Local and wanted to participate.  They represented the school very well.

We raffled off a knife kit that Mercer Tools donated as well as a basket with several LC items and a recreational class.  (I have included a picture of the basket)  We also gathered lots of leads at the show. 

The public also gave us some great feedback on our Chocolate Pot De Crème (piped inside a 1 oz chocolate tulip shooter cup and garnished with chantily cream and a gooseberry to represent the yolk).

One guest commented to us that our Chocolate Pot De Crème was by far the nicest item at the show. 

 
Several newspapers and magazines were there and took pictures.  Ie. The Observer, K-W record, Grand/Taste magazine and Snap.
Photo Album

Join me in the Python's Pit

The Halton Region Rotary Club has devised its own version of the ever-popular Dragon's Den -- the Python's Pit.  And I'm going to join the other Python's in selecting viable business opportunities and invest in the entrepreneurial talent of tomorrow at the first ever Python's Pit event on March 23 2013.

Python's Pit  is a entrepreneurial initiative brought to you by Halton Region Rotary Clubs and DeGroot School of Business at McMaster. In the spirit of economic growth in Halton region, any funds raised will supportCamp Enterprise, McMaster University bursaries and other Rotary initiatives.



Watch for more news as this project develops ....  maybe you have an idea that would pass the test of the Python's.

Give it a shot .... and join me in the Python's Pit.  See you there.

SULIRMAOS

The name says it all:  it's Portugese for Southern Brothers

Two foodie brother, tired of their construction jobs, decide to get serious about food.  Jonny takes a course at Liaison College while Jason gets a restaurant concept on a roll.  Combined they are the driving force behind Brampton's newest foodie hot spot in the heart of downtown:  SULIRMAOS

The brothers, along with the help of their instructor, Chef Jeff, are turning their passion into a tasty new reality!
As soon as you walk into the restaurant you get the feeling that there's something cooking - the new kitchen equipment and sparkling machines behind the front service counter are just a twinkle of what's to come....

 

There is nothing like the essence of freshly ground coffee and the steaming gurgle of an espresso machine to wake up the taste buds!  I had a specialty soda - they plan to make their own organic sodas with a new keg system ... stay tuned as this is really interesting!  I enjoyed the sparkling pomegranate soda which was just the perfect blend of flavour, bubbles and sweetness.  Delicious.

 

while we sipped ... the cooks cooked ....

 

We were coached on what to order .... the starters were a platter of smoked tomato crostini.  To the eye it looked like a traditional bruschetta but the smoky flavour that burst to life on the tongue immediately triggered something very untraditional.  To accompany the crostini, we were served the most unusual appetizer:  bacon wrapped peppers stuffed with cheese.  These lethal morsels were delicious - heat, sweet, salty - and complemented with a pepper aioli.  Awesome!

 

The sandwiches we ordered were huge and mouth-watering:  pulled pork and butter chicken (each with interesting twists on the traditional).

 

When we could barely move the dessert arrived .... this is by far the most interesting dessert that I have ever (and I mean ever) eaten.  This dessert is a combination of strawberry flavoured shaved ice, topped with boba bubbles served in homemade waffle bowl.  Crazy.  Bursting fresh flavours in an unusually light way.  So much better than icecream!!  and so weird I had to check the reference to BOBA

 

 

 

do yourself a flavour and check out this out of the box eatery that will not disappoint .... YUM!

A Night Out with Friends in Collingwood

Last night we ventured into downtown Collingwood for dinner with friends.  They had been at Tesoro before and recommended it highly.  When we got to the parking lot our friends were surprised that there was not a line up at the restaurant's door.  TESORO is a quaint Italian cucina tucked into the rustic back alley of downtown Collingwood; a fellow blogger says that Tesoro is "One of Collingwood's Top 11 restaurants".

Bruce and Jane were not wrong at all; when we entered the restaurant through the filled to capacity patio area, we were told that the dinner seating was fully booked with reservations.  Sorry.  Darn.  We started walking away to find "plan b" when the hostess chased us into the lot and told us a party had downsized and we could have their extra table.  Awesome - back in we went to a lovey private corner table overlooking the back patio area.

The friendly server brought us lemon water and a basket of freshly baked Italian bread.  Bruce ordered a bottle of wine and we perused the menu.  When the wine was poured (in typical rustic Italian-style wine glasses - what we might use for juice or a glass of milk) we toasted a gathering of friends and good food.

There were two menus:  one with appetizers, salads and pizzas and one with entrees - the wine/drink list and dessert menu are provided separately as well.

We ordered a selection of salads to start:  caprese (traditional with a twist); warm funghi (lovely oyster mushrooms, parmesan and arugula) and a mixed greens (a fresh tossed mix).

The entrees were varied.  Jane ordered a Canneloni Ricotta bake (minus the extra cheese)

Rudy and I shared the Penne Arabiata with hot Italian sausage which did not disappoint - penne al dente with a spicy (just enough heat) and flavourful sauce.

 

Bruce had a vegetarian pizza which I tasted and it was garlicy delicious.
We capped off the meal with a molten chocolate cake (I think mine are better - just saying) and coffees.  The coffees were one of the highlights of the meal for me.  I'm sorry that I added cream.  The coffee was rich, freshly brewed almost thick with a not-bitter mellow yet strong roast flavour.  Loved it.

What a delightful way to spend a few hours ... good food and friends.  Thanks Tesoro and thanks Bruce and Jane for introducing us to Tesoro ... I think we'll be good friends!