There was a chill in the air last Sunday when we got to Woodbine Park for the best culinary fundraiser of the year. Using donated ingredients from Ontario farmers, over 200 chefs (most of them local, some across the provinces, and a few from the states) as well as restaurateurs and grocers gathered on October 21 to serve a creative range of soups for Soupstock. (Pumpkin miso anyone?) The fundraiser was held to protest a proposed Mega-Quarry in the Township of Melancthon that would destroy a great deal of farmland and headwaters. And what better way to show us what we’d be missing if the proposal goes through by inviting the city to an all out farm to table experience?
We forked out – spooned out! – $20 for six ticketed servings. An extra seventh ticket came our way from a lovely couple leaving early. The event was the best fun I’ve had in a while – I don’t know if this is sad or not – and I got a chance to geek out at celebrity chef sightings. (Hey, Susur!)
Soup #1: Ursa Restaurant‘s Astronaut Soup used dehydrated vegetables. Pour some hot water over the stock and voila!
Soup #2: Farmhouse Tavern‘s Bison Stew with goat cheese yoghurt and cranberries.
Soup #3: The Garbandine made a Caldo Verde (a Portuguese soup) loaded with collard greens. Couldn’t get enough of the croutons.
Soup #4: Lynn Crawford‘s head chef Lora Kirk from Ruby Watchco made a Red Beet Bisque with Kale Chips and Apple Chutney.
Soup #5: Raw Bar’s and Hooked‘s Asian Carp soup.
Soup #6: Susur Lee’s hot and sour soup was the best thing we had.
Top Chef Canada Season 1 contestant Dustin Gallagher, from Riverside Public House, was also there. Next to him was Nick Liu, who plans to open an asian brasserie very sooon.
Soup #7: Taboo Resort‘s chefs made a Yellow Split Pea soup with maple chili oil and yummy bits of smoked Armstrong pork!
Since it’s Toronto, no major outdoor events are ever complete without a few dogs.
Canon AE-1 | Kodak Portra 400
