Spring’s colourful proliferation of produce is enough to catch any diner’s eye. Take that harvest and place it in the hands of two of Toronto’s most passionate plant-based chefs, in a restaurant committed to preserving the bounty and beauty of nature, and you have a collab that’s as joyous, seasonal and tempting as can be. This June, 1 Kitchen is the place to be for a dinner that celebrates the scope, beauty and staying power of plant-based dining.
For one night only, on June 8, Gia culinary director and executive chef Matt Ravenscroft, and 1 Kitchen head chef Roland Torok-Ducharme are hosting a chef’s dinner guaranteed to be a feast for the senses.
Opened last summer, 1 Kitchen brought a zero-waste, farm-to-table vibe to 1 Hotel Toronto. With the feel of a greenhouse, the bright space features an abundance of natural materials, greenery and sunshine. On the menu, head chef Torok-Ducharme offers a range of dishes that bring local ingredients into the spotlight.
For his part, chef Ravenscroft is a staunch supporter of plant-based cooking. At Gia, he heads a team dishing out Italian-inspired vegan eats, from “meatballs” and “crab” cakes to heaping plates of porcini agnolotti and tortellini.
Together, the duo has developed a five-course vegan menu for June 8 that entices at every turn, from the mushroom pâté with potato and heirloom tomato and the golden beets with melon, onion and nasturtium to the roasted celery root with black truffle and blueberry demi-glace. Inflexible carnivores can opt for the “omnivore add-on” for $25 to boost three of the five courses with an animal protein: trout roe, duck breast and venison tenderloin.
Each diner will also enjoy wine pairings with their meal. The chosen wines are all vegan and have been sourced from across the globe. From a glass of Astoria Prosecco from Veneto, Italy to Domaine Laroche Saint Martin Chablis from Burgundy, France, guests will toast to the evening in style.
A dinner that highlights the synergies between both restaurants, this collaboration promises to impress. Reserve by visiting Eventbrite.ca.
