One of Toronto's highly anticipated events took place on Sunday, Oct 20, 2019. The 4th annual 2019 Toronto Catering Showcase presented by EventSource.ca was held at the state-of-the-art The Globe and Mail Centre, and it was a grand success! Over 500 food enthusiasts came together to enjoy an afternoon of delicious cuisine and bottomless drinks.

For $75, we got an all-inclusive pass that gave us complete access to an afternoon of pure epicurean indulgence. One of the best dining experiences of the year!

Mango Lassi Pana Cotta - Pistachio, pomegranates 

Elle Cuisine

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Elle's Beef Carpaccio - Espresso encrusted with black garlic aioli, Jerusalem artichoke, fresh chives, and truffle salt 

Donut Wall 

En Ville

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

en Ville House Porchetta - Roasted Ontario pumpkin, roast apple, grilled sweet potato, and heirloom carrot puree, parsnip chips, apple cider, and mustard sauce

Encore Catering

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Sour Cherry Confit - Dark chocolate feuilletine 

Sous Vide Lamb Striploin - Red-eye gravy, cheesy grits, mint cotton candy 

Pusateri's

Jumbo Shrimp - sweet and spicy mayo 

Red Wine Braised Shortrib - Parsnip puree, apple gastrique, pickled red onion

Food Dudes

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Truffle Sunchoke Agnolotti - Squash puree, smoked chicken jus, pickled squash, sunchoke chips, herb salad, and black truffle 

Chocolate Molten Cake - Liquid nitrogen banana miso ice-cream, sesame coconut brittle, and spearmint leaves 

Presidential Gourmet

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Fire and Ice Sashimi Salmon - Ice seared salmon, saffron confit potato, leek nage, charcoal tuile. crushed pink peppercorn 

Vietnamese Popsicle Latte - Nitro brew latte, Vietnamese coffee, coconut popsicle, spiced ginger cookie

Oliver & Bonacini

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Salt & Pepper Hangar Steak - Chimichurri, smashed fingerlings 

Crispin Apple Profiterole - Spiced cream 

McEwan

Seared Duck Ravioli - Sauteed grapes, duck confit ragout, and verjus 

Crispy Koi Seared Ahi Tuna - Jalapeno soy 

Kiss The Cook

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Oaxaca Chochoyotes - Corn masa dumplings, braised short rib, mole, sweet potato, green garlic broth, pickled pobland, and watermelon radish slaw 

Chile Relleno - Nopales, pumpkin flower, huitlachoche, lima crema, cotijam and queso fresco 

Nacho Typical Chips and Dips 

The Host (Fine Indian Cuisine)

Social Media: Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Toben Food By Design

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website

Bhel Poori "Slaw" with Torched Tandoori Salmon - Carrot, cucumber, tomato, mango cabbage, chickpeas, peanut, rice noodle, and toasted coconut 

Artisan Flatbread - Cabernet poached fig, crispy lamb sausage, caramelized onion, basil pesto, gorgonzola cheese, and arugula 

Mini Chocolate Hazelnut Tartlets - Chocolate sable, milk chocolate, hazelnut ganache, dark chocolate mousse

Mary's Brigadeiro

It was a great pleasure to be here and taking part in the Toronto Catering Showcase 2019. The event was perfectly executed by EventSource.ca as they took consideration of people's feedback from previous years and implemented changes. It was AYCE, so guests left satisfied and full once the event ended at 4 pm. One of my highly-recommended food events to attend of the year. Until next time!

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of attending the TOBEN x DX Save or Splurge Event and had an unforgettable experience! Put on by the team at Toben Food By Design, and held at Design Exchange, the historic space that was once the former Toronto Stock Exchange, the event brought together those who work in, or closely with, the event and food industry. Attendees were invited to Relax, Recharge and Rediscover and learn and exchange ideas, all while enjoying an afternoon of cocktails, industry discussion, and food. The result? An unforgettably wonderful experience, along with planning tips for every budget.

The first course was the Heirloom Tomato and Ontario Raspberry Salad, which set the tone for what was to come! These tomatoes originated from South America and were brought over to Europe in the late 1500s, talk about wow! Taste-wise, this dish reminded me of summer, and the avocado mousse and miso vinaigrette was the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.

The main course featured a culinary clash of west & east coast concepts with the Thai Surf ‘n Turf. The combination of succulent grilled seafood and steak has become a beloved dinner classic and can be found on many caterers’ wedding menu. Toben does it differently, as many key ingredients were substituted with Asian Thai flavors. Instead of a steak, they opted for the ballotine chicken, which is a French specialty that was cooked by braising. Chef Toben dressed it with coconut-water spinach rice and yellow curry emulsion. These are two commonly used ingredients in many Thai dishes. Additionally, it was beautifully decorated with Shiitake mushrooms and pickled eggplant.

Dessert was a Mini Dessert Duo consisting of Strawberry-Raspberry Verrine, Strawberry Mousse, and Vanilla Sable. The mousse was amazing, as it was creamy and rich. Additionally, the blackberry chantilly added the perfect touch to the savory-sweet nature of this dessert.

The event also featured live music from Brent Miller LIVE, bringing that added touch of fun to the event. Guests were also treated to on-site nail painting services from The Nail and Champagne Bar.

Some of the beautifully designed table sets from the Save or Splurge Event. 

Designed by  Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events

Designed by Megan Wappel Design

Designed by Alana Klein of Swoon Events

Designed by Melissa Baum Events

Designed by Alana Klein of Swoon Events

My takeaway from this event is that you can create a beautiful wedding or event, regardless of whether you want to save or splurge. For event planners, it’s their responsibility to manage the client’s expectations while looking to see where one can save in order to splurge on certain big-ticket items. Overall, the collaboration between Toben Food By Design and Design Exchange was a great success – thanks for having us!

Disclaimer: Collaborated post with EventSource.ca. The food provided in this post was complimentary. However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.

On April 7th, 2019, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Toronto Bridal Brunch. It was every bit as dreamy as I pictured. As I walked through the flower-adorned entrance by Opening Night Flowers, captivation of my attention towards the glamour décor was met hand in hand with the elegant space.



Intended as a semi-intimate gathering for brides-to-be, the seated brunch was held at the luxurious Globe and Mail Centre and was the center wedding inspirations that day for every guest attending. An impressive line-up of elect vendors was present, and the event was chock full of wedding inspirations, from the ornate centerpieces, wedding services, wedding gowns showcase to the decadent sweets display.



We arrived at the registration table on the 16th floor, and the check-in experience went smoothly. Guests were asked to provide a cell phone number, and they would receive a text when their brunch table was ready. The main event was a full-service brunch presented by Presidential Gourmet, which was nothing short of being visually elegant and tasty.


The Globe and Mail Centre was a perfect fit for this event as it’s one of the very few venues in Toronto offering such a splendor panoramic city and lake views from the top floors. Combining elegance with contemporary sophistication, the soft light of the sun, and the beautiful tiled wooden floors was nothing short of spectacular, matched by its floor-to-ceiling windows and dazzling displays. In this case, the subtle touches of the decor and place settings by Detailz Couture Event Rentals have branded the event into a Parisian café sensation with the gram in mind – photo friendly! It was the perfect backdrop for a morning brunch.

There are many elements that come into play when planning the perfect wedding including food, venue, hair and make-up, photography and more. The Toronto Bridal Brunch was pretty much a one-stop-shop for brides-to-be and their bridal parties. This event was a stark contrast to the large bridal shows, as guests here were able to get more of a hands-on and personal experience from vendors and panel guests. It was pretty much a curated vendor marketplace.

 Upon entering the venue, guests were treated to complimentary mimosas. The mimosa bar by Juice Concepts definitely kept guests satisfied until their timed brunch seating.

Now onto the actual brunch at the Marie BrunchCafé. Named after one of history's most notable fashionistas, Marie Antoinette, the full-service brunch cafe by Presidential Gourmet offered plenty of treats for guests. We were promptly seated at 11 am, and on the table was a small selection of mini Parisian breakfast pastries for us to enjoy. My favorite was the buttery croissant!


Although the brunch entree menu only consisted of four options, Presidential Gourmet definitely showcased their culinary talents with a rather diverse menu. The options included Egg Benedict a la Marie, Brûlée Souffle Pancakes, Vegan Sweet Potato Waffle, and Modern Nicoise. My sweet tooth holds no bound, so I opted for the Brûlée Souffle Pancakes. Two pancakes came covered in a caramelized sugar crust, flambé bourbon cherries and topped off with Madagascar Vanilla Chantilly cream. It was light and fluffy, and rather reminiscent of the Japanese pancakes that have been popularized in Toronto.



 My guest opted for the classic Eggs Benedict a la Marie. A plate of soft poached eggs, smoked duck bacon, toasted brioche, blood orange hollandaise, frisee salad, and radishes.


After brunch, guests made their way to the elaborate desserts display from The Lenotre Patisserie Bar, where they can choose up to 2 desserts. It was an incredibly hard decision, as it all looked so decadent and aesthetically pleasing. I got the Strawberry Rose Beignet and Macaron.





After the brunch, we wandered through the venue to take a look at the vendors. There were a variety of wedding vendors stationed throughout the venue to help people with their wedding planning or just get inspirations. There was something for everyone like wedding makeup services by alistbeauty, interior design ideas by Art of Celebrations, and flower bar services by Willow and Stems.

A tremendous amount of work was poured to produce the event, and it clearly showed. The Toronto Bridal Brunch was truly filled with fantastic food, amazing music, and great vendors. I had an amazing time. The team behind the event definitely did an amazing job by providing an immersive guest experience.

Disclaimer: Collaborated post with EventSource.ca. The food provided in this post was complimentary. However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.