September final itinerary for Oaxaca culinary month in Toronto

For those who reside in Southern Ontario or will be visiting Toronto, September offers a rare opportunity to indulge in authentic, Oaxacan food, prepared by one if the best in the business, native Oaxacan chef Pilar Cabrera.

Pilar Cabrera, owner of Casa de los Sabores Cooking School and Restaurante La Olla, will be in Toronto from September 10th through the 29th, as honoured guest chef at several Toronto restaurants; and teaching the art of Oaxacan gastronomy at a popular cooking school. And for a limited number of dates, Pilar will also be available for private dinner parties for those wishing to showcase the rich tradition of Oaxacan cuisine to friends and family in their own home. (Scroll down for details of an up-to-date schedule of dates and events).

Those who attend one of Pilar’s events will be able to participate in a raffle for a complimentary week’s accommodations in Oaxaca, to be awarded to two lucky couples.

For Americans and Canadians who have not had an opportunity to learn about Oaxaca’s rich culinary heritage by taking one of Pilar’s classes or dining at her restaurant, a brief biographical sketch is in order.

Pilar grew up in Oaxaca, enveloped by the state’s history of culinary diversity and unique ingredient and flavour combinations. She learned the basics and the cuisine’s subtleties from her mother and grandmother. After completing a food engineering and nutrition degree in Mexico City, she worked in research and development for the food giant Herdez-McCormick before returning to her true passion – cooking.

Pilar has found a growing fan base of intrigued foodies through her “House of Flavours” cooking school. As well, she has taught both novice and renowned chefs from around the globe. Well known American chef and owner of Chicago’s Frontera Grill, Rick Bayless, regularly brings his own staff as well as private groups of food aficionados to Oaxaca, where they dine at Pilar’s restaurant, and attend her classes – at his insistence. Chef Bayless recently had this to say about Pilar:

I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in Mexican food to take advantage of any opportunity to learn from and experience the Oaxacan cuisine of Pilar Cabrera. She is one of the greats!

And if that praise isn’t enough, both New York Times and Bon Appetit have echoed similar sentiments.

Pilar’s schedule of September attendances in Toronto, thus far, is as follows:

· Wednesday, September 16th at Frida (http://www.fridarestaurant.ca/index.html ) - arguably Toronto's best Mexican restaurant where Pilar will be cooking with the chef/owner of Frida- Jose Haddad. That will likely be a six-course dinner event- half the menu prepared by Pilar, half by Chef Jose;
· Sunday the 20th, Private Dinner Party;
· On the 21st of Sept., Pilar will be at the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Frank Restaurant, preparing a Prix Fixe Menu with the talented Chef Anne Yarymowich and her team. That evening will also feature Latin American/Mexican art for diners to enjoy. http://www.ago.net/frank-restaurant-contemporary-comfort-cuisine-toronto
(we’re hoping to get Mexican artist Gabriela Campos to participate);
· On the 22nd of September (Tuesday), Nella Cucina's Cooking School under culinary Director Joanne Lusted's guidance, is hosting Pilar for a cooking class. To order your spots on-line- go to: http://www.nellacucina.ca/cucina/event.html?Year=2009&Month=9 or feel free to call the school if you'd prefer. It will be an, interactive demo class where you'll learn how to make Oaxacan classics from Pilar herself and take home the recipes too;
· On the 23rd of September, Chef Pilar joins the Food Network Canada's Brad Long at VERITAS located on King Street East for a special multi-course, prix fixe meal. http://www.dine.to/profile_features.php?feature=website&id=3710 - the focus here will be on using as many local, seasonal and sustainable products from Ontario as possible, in keeping with Chef Long's philosophy;
· Nella Cucina’s Cooking School has reserved this date for members of the Women’s Culinary Network;
· The 28th of September- Pilar will prepare a Botanas-based menu for Torito Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Kensington Market. She'll join Torito´s talented team to bring Torontonians Mexico's version of tapas which are sure to please: http://www.toritotapasbar.com/ ;
· On the 29th, the culinary students and professional chefs of George Brown College's "The Chef's House" will host Pilar for her last guest cooking spot in Toronto. She'll craft a special menu prepared by her and the students for her farewell dinner to Toronto. http://www.thechefshouse.com/ .

Feel free to contact whichever venue interests you to ascertain hours of operation and further details. Alternatively you can contact Toronto food researcher, writer and TV producer, Mary Luz Mejia, who has been instrumental in orchestrating Pilar’s visit, at 416 -763-3455; or email, mluzy@hotmail.com.

This culinary tour is the first of hopefully several forays by Oaxacans who are at the pinnacle of their careers, into Canada. All proceeds from this series of events will go directly to Pilar. Proceeds of future tours, by others, will follow suit.

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast