12/17/2010 7:57:10 PM

December 14, 2010

Savour the holidays: Winterlicious culinary events on sale now

Winterlicious, Toronto’s favourite winter gastronomic celebration presented by American Express, offers two popular programs, the Winterlicious Culinary Event Series and the prix-fixe restaurant promotion, for foodies to savour from January 28 - February 10, 2011. Just in time for the holidays, tickets for a mouth-watering array of unique culinary events go on sale Thursday, December 16. American Express Cardmembers can go to the Front of the Line and purchase tickets on Wednesday, December 15.

In addition to the popular prix-fixe restaurant promotion, the Winterlicious Culinary Event Series features one-of-a-kind ticketed cooking experiences hosted by some of Toronto’s finest restaurants and venues. This year there are even more events to tickle the taste buds and include:

The Dining Room
Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St. W.
Set in the oldest remaining brick house from the town of York, enjoy a three-course dinner with a contemporary take on dishes from the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Following dinner, enjoy a reprise of the hilarious and touching Dora-nominated play "The Dining Room", which explores the dynamics of family relationships around the table in the room that was once the hub of North American life. Guests can mix or match their appetizer, main course and dessert from a selection of recipes from three decades - perhaps a starter of BBQ'd Spare Ribs or Cream of Tomato Soup ('50s), followed by Chicken with Dumplings ('30s) or Mac 'n Cheese ('50s), then Orange Chiffon Cake ('40s).
Dates: January 28 and 29; February 1, 5 - 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. play. Cost: $49 including HST. Phone: 416-597-0227 or visit http://www.campbellhousemuseum.ca.

A Warming Winter Menu
Calphalon Culinary Center, 425 King St. W.
Experience a three-course culinary journey showcasing our local ingredients while celebrating flavours from warmer climates. During this demonstration class, participants will learn from a roster of experienced professional chefs as they offer superior culinary instruction, simple tips, cooking methods and a handful of basics that will revolutionize the approach to cooking at home. This inspired menu will warm up any winter's day. Meet the Calphalon team, take home the recipes and receive a special gift from Calphalon.
Dates: January 28 and 29; February 2 to 5; February 9 and 10, 6 - 8 p.m. Cost: $60 including HST and gratuity. Registration closes 72 hrs prior to class date. Phone: 416-847-2212 or visit http://www.calphalon.com/centers.

Eat Pray Lovalicious
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave.
It is no surprise that the best part of the "Eat Pray Love" movie was the "eat" part. This class will focus on Italian food and will also include some food philosophy and culinary passion. As well as a delicious meal, demonstration cooking class and recipes, guests will take home a copy of Bonnie's new paperback edition of her best-selling cookbook, "Friday Night Dinners", a bottle of San Pellegrino and a Gelato Fresco treat.
Dates: January 29, 11 a.m. - 1:30 pm; January 31 - February 1, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Cost: $99 plus HST. Phone 416-484-4810 or visit http://www.bonniestern.com.

Fort York Food Fight! - Chef Competition
Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd.
There's nothing like a good food fight as part of a winter getaway within the heart of the city. The afternoon starts with an intimate interpretive food tour of Fort York, which will give guests an understanding of diet during the early days of Toronto, followed by one of two workshops: "Eat Green through the Seasons", exploring the ecological benefits of eating seasonally and "Growing Food Indoors", highlighting alternative gardening. The afternoon finale showcases a chef competition like no other. In preparation for the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812, two of Toronto's top chefs, Ted Corrado and Scott Vivian, will create and prepare recipes incorporating a secret 1812-era ingredient that would have been available in the Town of York. The winning chef will be crowned "Fort York Food Fight Champion" and be the recipient of a $2,500 grand prize.
Date: January 29, 1 - 6 p.m. Cost $30 including HST and gratuity. Phone 416-392-6907 x221.

Ice Wine Harvest: An Evening with Donald Ziraldo
Rosewater, 19 Toronto St.
This special culinary event celebrates the ice wine harvest. The evening will include a reading by Donald Ziraldo from his book ''Icewine: Extreme Winemaking''. A special reception will precede dinner and guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres while enjoying a live jazz performance. The Rosewater’s main bar will feature a unique ice sculpture for the event. Guests will then dine on a spectacular five-course prix fixe dinner created specifically to highlight the ice wine harvest. Each pair of guests will receive a signed copy of Ziraldo's book.
Date: January 30, 7 - 10 p.m.,. Cost: $90 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-214-5888 or visit http://www.rosewaterroom.com.

A Passion for Dance, Opera and Dining
Embrujo Flamenco Tapas Restaurant, 97 Danforth Ave.
A brilliant combination of old music and traditional cuisine from the region of Madrid. Enjoy a four-course gourmet meal in a relaxed romantic atmosphere celebrating the cuisine of Spain, while witnessing the performances and sounds of the opera Carmen. Savour a meal based on natural ingredients including olive oil, seafood, vegetables, game, veal, ham, and sausages. A new and thrilling way to dine in Toronto.
Dates: January 30 - February 1, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $69 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-778-0007 or visit http://www.embrujoflamenco.com.

Chinese New Year's Eve Celebration
Spice Route, 499 King St. W.
Join Spice Route as they celebrate Chinese New Year's Eve with a spectacular culinary feast. The evening will feature a special prix-fixe dinner incorporating traditional Chinese New Year's Eve fare. Menu to include efu noodles as they represent longevity, fish as they represent success and dumplings which represent wealth. This not-to-be missed culinary celebration will highlight some of the many traditions of Chinese New Year's Eve festivities, including party favours and exciting performance by a troupe of dragon dancers.
Date: February 2, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. seatings. Cost: $50 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-849-1808, http://www.spiceroute.ca.

A Culinary Tour of Brazil
Cajú Restaurant, 922 Queen St. W.
Take a culinary tour of Brazil with a five-course menu created by Brazilian-born chef and owner Mario Cassini. Inspired by the diverse influences of Brazilian cuisine and a culinary flavour fusion from Brazilian indigenous peoples, Portuguese, African, and European cultures, the menu will feature a selection of dishes with flavours and ingredients from Brazil’s most prominent culinary regions, such as the açai berry, root vegetable manioc (cassava), cashew nuts, coconut milk and Malagueta peppers. A Brazilian cocktail - the Caipirinha - made with Porto Morretes organic cachaça sugar cane spirit, will be included.
Dates: February 3 and February 10, 7 - 10 p.m. Cost: $50 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-532-2550, email info@caju.ca or visit http://www.caju.ca.

Taste n' Tour Casa Loma Marketplace
Casa Loma, 1 Austin Tce.
Taste the flavours and tour Casa Loma in this unique interactive dining experience in Toronto's only Medieval Castle. Guests will experience a medieval castle as it was in the era of Kings, Lords and Princesses, touring and dining in the various rooms of Casa Loma. Savour such delights as infused oils and artisanal bread in the Great Hall, a rotisserie station in the Library, rustic chocolate bread pudding in the Conservatory, hot apple cider in the Billiard & Smoking Room and seasonal cheeses with local wines in the wine cellar.
Date: February 4, 6 - 11 p.m. Cost: $55 including HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-533-1573, visit http://www.ticketweb.ca, or http://www.casaloma.org/seasonal.

Guilty Pleasures
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W.
Toronto's favourite fashion brunch is back by popular demand. Start the weekend with a scrumptious three-course brunch featuring fresh juice, blueberry scones, soft and sexy scrambled eggs and so much more. Browse through rack after rack of original Canadian designs, collect limited edition pieces and peruse one-of-a-kind accessories and jewellery.
Date: February 5, 4 seatings: 9 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 3 p.m. Cost: $35 plus HST and gratuity Phone: 416-531-5042 x1, or visit http://www.thedrakehotel.ca.

Artisanal Brewers at Todmorden: A Tutored Tasting
Papermill Gallery at Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, 67 Pottery Rd.
At the site of the original brewery built in 1821, participants will enjoy an evening of sampling artisanal brews with traditional 19th century and contemporary food pairings. Each guest's admission ticket entitles them to a complimentary souvenir tasting glass and their choice of any six pairings of food and beer. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with representatives from local craft breweries and learn about the wide variety of brews produced in Ontario. Seasonal brews from Granite Brewery, Mill Street Brewery, Black Oak Brewery, Denison's Brewing Company and Wellington Brewery will be available for sampling.
Date: February 5, 7 - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $55 plus HST and gratuity. Phone 416-396-2819 or visit http://www.toronto.ca/todmorden.

Pulp Kitchen: Rising Chef Citrus Cook-off
Mildred's Temple Kitchen, 85 Hanna Ave.
The Rising Chef Citrus Cook-off is back and will once again feature top students from Ontario's leading culinary programs as they take on a citrus challenge to become the next "Rising Chef". Students will battle it out preparing their own citrus-inspired appetizer, entrée and dessert recipes live in front of a judging panel of local food aficionados. Audience members will watch the excitement as they enjoy a citrus tasting menu created by Donna Dooher and Taylor McMeekin of Mildred's Temple Kitchen. The delicious tastes of the evening's menu are sure to delight, tempering the cool winter's day with a touch of Florida sun in each heart-warming recipe.
Date: February 8, 6 - 9 p.m. Cost: $50 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-588-5695 or visit http://www.templekitchen.com.

Dieu Du Ciel! Beer Tasting Dinner
beerbistro, 18 King St. E.
Experience a ten course beer dinner with a master brewer guiding guests through beers paired with imaginative fresh market beer cuisine. Quebec-based master brewery, Dieu du Ciel! will brew a selection of beers specifically for this dinner and unavailable anywhere else in the world.
Date: February 8, 6 - 10 p.m. Cost: $125 plus HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-861-9872 or visit http://www.beerbistro.com.

Feast of the Maharaja
FRANK @ the Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W.
The Slow Food movement has become an international force uniting environmentalists and epicureans. Join Executive Chef Anne Yarymowich of FRANK @ the AGO for an Indian inspired experience of food, music and a guided tour of the AGO’s newest exhibition, "Maharaja: The Splendour of India's Royal Courts".
Date: February 9, 6 - 10 p.m. Cost: $140 including HST and gratuity. Phone: 416-979-6688 or visit http://www.ago.net/frank.

Winterlicious, presented by American Express, also features three-course prix-fixe menus ($15, $20 or $25 for lunch and $25, $35 or $45 for dinner) at 150 of Toronto’s finest dining establishments across the city. For a list of restaurants participating in Winterlicious prix-fixe, visit http://www.toronto.ca/winterlicious. Reservations for Winterlicious prix-fixe begin on January 13, 2011. American Express Cardmembers can go to the Front of the Line and make reservations on January 11-12, 2011.

New for this year, users can locate their favourite restaurants online using the new interactive Winterlicious map, and sort by price, neighbourhood and type of cuisine to create a personalized list that can easily be shared with friends through social media.