The Week in Yum - Culinary Happenings, Brunch and Some Big News

Austrian Cheese samples at SIAL

Lots to share this week!


 Bootleg Smokehouse


First up, my big news - big news for me, anyway.

On Sunday, I had my first official meeting with the women of Auburn Lane so say hello to the newest member of the team - along with the addition of my good pal, Heather Lang, the Tasty Gardener /beer sommelier and all around amazing human , who is also now an official part of the Auburn Lane team - go follow her on the old Tweeter here . I will continue writing about travel, food and eating while travelling as well as our newest section called "The Canna Commissary" where I share information on how to cook with cannabis, share recipes, and hopefully help the canna curious figure out this newly legal phenomenon.

We met for a meaty brunch at Bootleg Smokehouse on Spadina, just south of King St. It was my first visit and we all enjoyed a tasty brunch consisting of the Piggy Platter, of course, cornmeal pancakes and some smoked berry french toast. Shocking even myself, not usually a pancake kind of gal, I think my favourite dish was the cornmeal pancakes. They tasted like the lightest, fluffiest corn muffins, smothered in smoked butter, whipped cream and maple syrup. It's nice to have a solid spot for brunch in the heart of downtown.

WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK


 I spent two long days cooking it up at Sublime to get ready for a particularly huge event. See those sweet potato "oreos" up there? I had to punch out 500 of those sweet potato discs. FIVE HUNDRED. I hate them, even though they are delicious. Catering is hard, people.
Stratford Culinary Guide's 25th Edition with #NextGen Chefs

Jamie Crosby, Vince Stacey,
Meaghan Evely, Ryan O'Donnell
Photo credit Terry Manzo


My love of Stratford Ontario is no secret to anyone who knows me or reads this blog - here are just two things I have written about the culinary superstars of Stratford:
The Women of Stratford

Foraging article about Peter Blush

Photo by Terry Manzo

We gathered at Richmond Station to  celebrate the release of the 25th edition of the Stratford Culinary Guide, a staple for finding the best restaurants, pubs, cafes, food shops and producers in Stratford and the surrounding area. They brought along four of the hottest, young chefs, Junction 56 Distillery and Black Swan Brewing to wine and dine us, showcasing the best that the city has to offer. Stay tuned for a more in depth piece about the event and the guide coming up on Auburn Lane


SIAL Canada

The week ended on a high note with a day spent at SIAL Canada, North America's largest food and beverage trade show. With over 1100 exhibitors, I couldn't try everything but I was pretty impressed with much of what I did see. Some things are only meant for distribution but it's fun trying to predict the newest trends, based on what is being featured. Olive Oil is still a huge deal and vegan/gluten free is not going away any time soon and, right up my alley, the very first rumblings of Cannabis Infused food and drink is finally on the radar.

My absolute favourite food item that I am the most excited about are these Flavour Pearls by Christine Le Tennier of France. They look like large fish roe but they are, in fact, wonders of molecular gastronomy. Whisper thin shells made from seaweed, pop in your mouth to reveal NOT the briny fish flavour of roe, but intense concentrates of a variety of flavours. I tried the lemon and black pepper, raspberry and balsamic but the most interesting, to me, was the pink grapefruit. I did get samples of other flavours but I am going to have to find and purchase the pink grapefruit myself because I refuse to eat another oyster until they are perched delicately on top of them - BRILLIANT!
read more them here . Right now you can order them online from The Craft Bartender but I am hoping that more retailers will pick them up soon. I'll keep you updated.


I attended two cooking demos, a butter extravaganza by Brad Long of Cafe Belong and then stayed to watch the every charming, Chuck Hughes, everyone's mom's favourite tv boyfriend, do his thing to pay homage to this year's country of honour, Italy.


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