Tasting Toronto: Toronto’s Amazing Food Race

Love to cook and want to hone your skills in the kitchen? Enjoy the thrill of friendly and lively competition? Participate in a culinary workshop unlike any other at Chef John Cirillo’s latest Culinary Academy.

Chef Cirillo is an award-winning, world-class chef whose passion for food, born of his Italian immigrant roots, led him to a career in the kitchen at the age of just 17. He is a two-time honouree of the Escoffier Society as Toronto “Chef of the Year” and captained the Culinary Team Ontario to victory at the Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2004.

After a brief orientation, you’ll be divided into small teams, and given cash and a list of ingredients needed to prepare the lunch you’re going to enjoy later.

You’ll accompany Chef John over to the world-famous St Lawrence Market, once again voted #1 Food Market in the World by National Geographic Magazine. 

Working to a time limit of 20 minutes, you’ll need to locate and purchase the items on your shopping list. You’ll be competing against the clock, and each other! The winners are the team who returns to the Academy the quickest with the exact and correct ingredients.  

Then, using your hard-won, locally sourced ingredients, you’ll prepare, cook and present a 3-course lunch. You’ll also learn some essential kitchen arts, such as knife skills, and how to choose the right knife for the job. Chef will also share with you some culinary terms to make you sound like a pro the next time you’re entertaining.

Afterwards, you’ll eat and enjoy the fruit of your labours. This is a fun-filled activity for cooks of all levels!

In the spirit of giving back, for each guest who dines, lunch will be donated to Eva’s Phoenix, a shelter providing transitional housing for youth aged 16 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Duration:
Approximately 4 hours. Depart on foot from the hotel lobby at 11:00am and return by 3:00pm.

Lunch:
Included at Cirillo’s Culinary Academy.

Recommended Attire:
Casual, warm, layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes as you will be walking to the venue and standing for part of the activity.