At The Pass with Dento Lam
At The Pass is a weekly series showcasing Toronto’s best chefs. You won’t find any celebrity chefs featured here. Perhaps you already know these fine cooks, but maybe not. They’re not famous - yet. But it’s time these talented, passionate, hard-working chefs got a bit of the spotlight. Introducing Dento Lam.
🕒 5 min read
Currently
Baker, Forno Cultura
Formerly
Hotel X Toronto, Cho Kwok Lat, Cluny Bistro and Boulangerie, Brick Street Bakery
Favourite dish to make right now
Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Katsu. Very dangerous as it takes like 30 minutes. Makes a great sandwich on a sesame filoncini!
Last cookbook purchase
Let’s Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook by Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan. Shockingly good content.
Have you read it/tried any recipes
I read it unintentionally since the artwork drew me in, next thing you know… I have made all parts of ramen including broth, chashu, noodles, marinated eggs and flavoured oils. I then turned them into ramen kits for friends and family!
One dish or ingredient you’d like to see gone from menus
Mint, never liked it.
And one dish or ingredient that you’re excited about right now and would like to see on more menus
Korean Rice Dogs… I would like to see so many more types being made and how far people will go with their ideas!
Who doesn’t love a cronut?
Biggest influences
Christina Tosi, Chad Robertson, and Alton Brown for chefs. My past coworkers who I keep close contact with in the food industry.
If you could eat at any restaurant in the world
A Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant - it's been a dream and a goal for a long while!
Last thing you ate
A burrito from Grillies. They’re open ‘til 4am on the weekends.
Three must-have ingredients always in your fridge
Mayonnaise, eggs (I eat a shocking amount of them), and gochujang.
Guilty pleasure
Coke Zero and La Rocca Caramel Crunch Cake.
After 9.5 years of taking testosterone - an important part of Dento’s transition - and paying out of his own pocket, work benefits cover them for the first time.
Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants
Chung Chun Rice Dogs, DZO Vietnamese Eatery, Daldongnae Korean Barbecue
Top 3 favourite Toronto bars
The Shameful Tiki Room and Madrina are amazing. And since I don't drink, I would love to include Roselle as a bakery of choice to go to for others!
Go-to drink
N/A
One habit you have in the kitchen that you should lose, but can’t seem to shake
The need to be fast… I often get told to SLOW DOWN at work by managers and staff since speed isn't everything.
And one habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs
My ability to tackle everything head on with nothing but passion, care for others, and hard work. The people I work with know that when I am in the kitchen, we are in it to win it!
Hidden talent
I play the Ocarina for fun and only play pop music… So sometimes I jam to Beyoncé and Mariah Carey on my days off.
Dento’s lamination game is strong.
Best career advice you ever received
That you don't have to work till you burn out and know your worth.
Worst career advice you ever received
The first head baker I had told me I will regret choosing to be a baker and this is a terrible job. I really can't picture myself doing something else and I love it so much!
Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business
As long as you are enthusiastic to learn and work, the rest will come by easily! Always be ready to go with the flow and adapt with your team as well!
TRANSGENDER RESOURCES:
Asian Community Aids Services (ACAS) - I went to this organization when I came out and they helped a lot.
The 519 - Local queer community centre.
Trans 101: The Basics - Video.
In order to support chefs during this time, the monthly At The Pass series is now WEEKLY. Know someone in Toronto or GTA who should be featured? Submit their name for consideration. And yes, you can nominate yourself.
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