Chefs for Change: A Mid-Winter’s Feast
Photo credit: Liam Mogan.
🕒 5 min read
If you’ve never been to Chefs for Change, this is the year to start.
The curated dinner series held at the beginning of the year by top Canadian chefs has drawn serious crowds since its inception in 2014. This year’s event features a host of exciting new chefs at the stove.
And as always, it’s all for a very important cause.
Take a look.
Why this event stands out:
1. Canada-wide talent
This year’s lineup is next-level.* In addition to Toronto’s own kitchen mavens, including Chris Brown (Victor Dries Events) - who hatched the idea for the series, Lora Kirk (Ruby Watchco) - who attended the inaugural event six years ago, Doug Penfold (Cava), John Sinopoli (Ascari), Kristin Donovan (Hooked), Alex Tso (Dundas Park Kitchen), Tom Thai (Foxley), Missy Hui (EatKander), and Chantana Srisomphan (Khao San Road), culinarians are traversing the country for the monumental collab.
Look for Calgary chefs Nicole Gomes (Cluck N Cleaver), Connie DeSousa and John Jackson (CHAR|CUT Roast House); Antonio Park (Park) and Fisun Ercan (Su) out of Montreal; and Todd Perrin of Mallard Cottage all the way from Newfoundland.
And while you’ll usually find Alexandra Feswick (The Drake Hotel) and Albert Ponzo (The Royal Hotel) a few hours outside Toronto in Prince Edward County in their respective hotel kitchens, they’re making the drive in for the momentous feasts.
Oh Canada.
*Full chef lineup below.
2. Like no other
One of the reasons the event is so compelling is that every evening, eight to ten chefs from across Canada join forces to create an inimitable meal you’ll share with people who you may know, and whom you might have never met.
Magical is just one way to describe it.
3. Help low-income communities
In addition to a sumptuous four-course repast, you’ll help raise money for those that need it most. Net profits from the events will go to Community Food Centres Canada to “support vibrant, food-focused organizations that bring people in low-income communities together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for healthy food for all.”
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Start the new year off right and knock a few of your New Year’s Resolutions off your list right now:
Try new things.
Help others.
Info
Dates/Times
Four Thursday nights in a row, starting Jan 30th through ‘til Feb 20th - January 30, February 6, February 13, and February 20.
Reception at 6:30 pm, Dinner to follow at 7pm.
Venue
Propeller Coffee, 50 Wade Ave. (Bloor + Landsdowne)
Price
$150 per ticket. Each ticket includes four courses, canapés, and welcome cocktail (Note: A $56 charitable tax receipt will be issued via email post-event for every ticket purchased).
2020 Mid-Winter’s Feast Chef Lineup
Thursday January 30
Suzanne Barr | True True Diner
Renee Bellefeuille | AGO Bistro
Fisun Ercan | Su
Carl Heinrich | Richmond Station
Christinn Hua | Millie Desserts
Charlotte Langley | Scout Canning
Julie Marteleira | Leña
Alex Tso | Dundas Park Kitchen
Anthony Walsh | Oliver & Bonacini
Jesse Vallins | Maple Leaf Tavern
Thursday February 6
Kristin Donovan | Hooked
Miriam Echeverria | Greta Soloman's Dining Room
Noureen Feerasta | Rickshaw Bar
Nicole Gomes | Cluck N Cleaver
Rosalin Keshishian | Babel
Nick Liu | Dailo
Antonio Park | Park
Albert Ponzo | The Royal Hotel
Tom Thai | Foxley
Scott Vivian | Beast
Thursday February 13
Rocco Agostino | Pizzeria Libretto
Ema Costantini | George Brown College
Ksenija Hotic | The Depanneur
Missy Hui | EatKander
Omer Jahangir | Actinolite
Lora Kirk | Ruby Watchco
Doug Penfold | Cava
Joel Rousell | George Brown College
John Sinopoli | Ascari
Rachel Tong | Lunchroom Toronto
Thursday February 20
Chris Brown | Victor Dries Events
Connie DeSousa | CHAR|CUT Roast House
Farzam Fallah | Don Alfonso 1890
Alexandra Feswick | The Drake Hotel
John Jackson | CHAR|CUT Roast House
Samantha Medeiros | La Palma
Todd Perrin | Mallard Cottage
Ivana Raca | Ufficio
Joel Rousell | George Brown College
Chantana Srisomphan | Khao San Road