Genevieve Sartor is a remarkable polymath that I met on a chance encounter in 2020 while travelling back from Kenora, ON. From pursuing a PhD on James Joyce at Trinity College, to opening a sourdough bakery on Manitoulin Island, every turn of that late-night fireside conversation held a new surprise. We've remained friends, orbiting each other's paths in unconventional restaurateurship as we investigate our relationship to the world and people around us through food. I'm delighted to have her at The Dep for this Table Talk where she will explore the concept of terroir in Ontario, with a particular focus on Northern Ontario. It will delve into the notion of a Canadian food scene in relation to immigrant, francophone and Indigenous cultures to open up a discussion about what Canadian food really means. We are currently scheming on how to do a collaborative Dep culinary excursion to Manitoulin this summer... come by and find out more about it!

Delicious Maple Syrup - what better way to celebrate this quintessentially Canadian ingredient than two delicious maple recipes: Maple Butter Tarts and Maple Scones. Let 20-year cookie biz veteran Alan Zelcovitch walk you through creating delicious maple syrup butter tarts — they are so much easier to make than you might imagine — and you may never want to buy another butter tart again! You will learn the secrets of a beautifully flaky crust, and exactly how to make the perfect maple filling as well. As a bonus, you'll  be shown a great trick to easily remove them from the pan. Building on these pastry skills, you'll also get other make some fabulous Maple Scones as well. These flakey, layered scones can be frozen in raw, and baked off as you need them, so you are always ready to enjoy freshest scones, warm from the oven.

The first Monday of August marks the grand finale of Barbados' Crop Over Festival, and the festival of Kadooment (Bajan creole for ‘large party’). The day features parades of revellers in elaborate costumes, music, dancing, and a joyous celebration of Barbadian culture. The vibrant flavours, colours, sounds and traditions of the Barbadian Kadooment are Chef Shem Barker’s inspiration for this fabulous Bajan dinner. With welcome cocktail and Bajan Rum tasting bar provided by Rum Shop TO.

Gnocchi are the magical lovechild of pasta and dumplings, versatile enough to be rustic and homey comfort food, or delicate and elegant special-occasion fare. Their secret lies in how easy they can be make to make from scratch, once you know how. Join Chef Anthony Sestito for a fun, hands-on exploration the timeless art of making classic potato gnocchi from scratch. You'll ease into the class with a beautiful spread of antipasto on arrival, and then dive into learning about the selection of the right potatoes and how to prepare and mix the dough using the traditional “well” method, along with insight into flour types, hydration, and dough handling. In this hands-on class, guests will explore Participants will shape gnocchi by hand with minimal tools, mastering techniques to achieve light, pillowy dumplings. The class will also include a comparison of styles and methods, including regional variations and sauce pairings that best highlight the delicate texture of this pasta. You'll end the class and enjoy your handiwork with a lovely plate of fresh Gnocchi di Patate al Burro e Salvia (Potato gnocchi with brown butter and sage), with any leftover gnocchi packed up to take home.