Toronto Culinary Tour of Chef Pilar Cabrera under way

The month-long culinary tour by Chef Pilar Cabrera in Toronto, showcasing Oaxacan cuisine, is well under way. After both judging and competing in the Toronto Harbourfront Centre International Hot & Spicy Food Festival, Chef Pilar has now begun working her magic at select venues. Tonight marks her second evening working at private dinner parties in the Toronto area. And she has already appeared at Frida Restaurant, at an evening entitled A Taste of Oaxaca, featuring Chef Pilar as well as Chef Jose Hadad, with Master Sommelier John Szabo. It was an artistic celebration of the Mexican Independence Day, on September 16:

Course 1 - Chef Pilar:
Crema de Chile Poblano, with fresh Ontario corn, zuchini and woodland mushrooms, paired with NV Cava Cordonui, Seleccion Raventos Reserva, Spain

Course 2 - Chef Jose:
Ensalada de Nopalitos; fresh nopal cactus, feta cheese, Ontario roma tomatoes and onions, with arbol chile vinaigrette, paired with 2007 Off Dry Reserve Riesling Henry of Pelham VQA Niagara, Ontario

Course 3 - Chef Pilar:
Brochetitas de Camaron, with a mango and chile salsa, paired with 2008 Gruner Veltliner Kies Vineyard, Kurt Angerer, Kamptal, Austria, or Mini Margarita de Mango

Course 4 - Chef Jose:
Tamal de Barbacoa de Cordero; steamed lamb tamal with Ontario spinach, tomato-morita sauce, Ontario Asparagus, paired with 2004 Tempramillo Crianza "Puerta de Alcala" Vinos Jeromin, Madrid, Spain

Course 5 - Chef Pilar:
Medallon de Pavo Relleno; stuffed turkey medallion with plantain, served with Mole Negro and Mexican rice, paired with 2006 Petite Sirah, L.A. Cetto, Baja, Mexico, or Cerveza Negra Modelo.

Course 6 - Dessert Duo with Chefs Pilar and Jose:
Pay de Requeson con Salsa de Chocolate Oaxaqueno and Churros de la Esquina with fresh Ontario berries and warm goat's milk cajeta, paired with 2007 Late Harvest Riesling, Chateau des Charmes, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada.

All remaining venues except one, are completely sold out for the month, and in fact Frank Resaurant at the Art Gallery of Ontario, overbooked by 20, in part due to the pairing of Chef Pilar's event with renowned Oaxacan artist Gabriela Campos.

There are a limited number of seats still available at Veritas Local Fare, on King Street East in Toronto, for September 23.

Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast

Upcoming 2009 Culinary Tour of Oaxaca

The Annual "Culinary Secrets from Oaxaca's Kitchens", a seven-day gastronomic extravaganza and tour, is scheduled for April 25 - May 1, 2009. The theme of this year's tour is "The evolution of Oaxacan cuisine." The itinerary, designed for both the novice with a keen interest in Oaxacan cookery, as well as the seasoned chef, includes: 3 days of class at different venues, each lead by an internationally renowned culinary expert; native market tours; exploring important sites contributing to UNESCO's designation of Oaxaca as a World Heritage Site; keynote speaker; tastings of traditional regional foods, sweets and beverages; and select comidas in critically acclaimed restaurants. Participating chefs include Pilar Cabrera of BB Sabores Cooking School, and Alejandro Ruíz, owner of Casa Oaxaca Restaurant. Members of the Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast Association, sponsor, will be offering discounts, and a number of restaurants are expected to follow suit. Send inquiries to tours@oaxacabedandbreakfast.org, where you can also request the provisional tour calendar. Alvin Starkman - Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast