Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Sunday September 29th marked the third installment of hot Toronto event series, Abbey’s Kitchen Stadium (#AKS). Modeled loosely after the Iron Chef model, AKS was designed to showcase some of Toronto’s hottest chef talent, sample incredible drinks, and ultimately, to raise money for the new local food initiative, My Food My Way (MFMW).
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
The heavily anticipated unveiling of the secret ingredient marked the kick off to Battle Three where everyone’s fall favourite comfort food was put front and centre of the show. Made fresh from hundreds of pounds of local apples, All the Best Fine Food’s Ontario Apple Sauce had braised, frozen, baked, piped, and glazed into a myriad of top Toronto chefs’ culinary creations.
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
We also had the fabulous Hilite Fine Foods step in to support the chef’s produce needs. Within seconds, the competitors, Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station), Dustin Gallagher (Acadia), Dave Sidhu (Playa Cabana) and Tom Davis (The Stockyards) rushed to their respective stations and were greeted by a surprise. One of the schools that MFMW has been working with, Thistletown Collegiate, had brought in four students to help assist the chefs in their service and to allow them to test out the skills they’ve acquired in culinary class at school.
Abbey with the Thistletown Collegiate Students and Culinary Instructor, Keith Hoare. Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Here’s a little #foodporn overview of the goods these guys pumped out.
The Stockyards: Smoked Duck Spam with Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Greens and Apple Mushroom Gravy
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
The Stockyards: Korean Crispy Fried Quail with Apple Chili Glaze and Applesauce Buttermilk Biscuit
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Richmond Station: Apple Cinnamon Creamsicle with Walnut Gingerbread
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Richmond Station: Apple Braised Pork Ribs with Apple Fennel Slaw
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Acadia: Apple BBQ Quail with Sorrel Salad
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Acadia: Apple Tarte Tatin with Pepper Crème Anglaise
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Playa Cabana: Apple Corn Tamales with Apple-Braised Lamb, Blue Corn Masa, House-Made Chihuahua Cheese and Salsa Manzana
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Playa Cabana: Apple Sauce Churro Poutine with Queso Fresco
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
As the guests tasted their way through the offerings, our bar was serving up some incredible drinks to wash them all down. Presenting Sponsor Forty Creek was pouring their 40:40 coffee & cream based cocktail and 40 Apples drink using their Copper Pot Whisky, Rosewood Estates served a lovely summer Semillon and a Pinot Noir and a mead cocktail, Sam Adams was whipping through cases of their Boston Lager, and Beamsville’s own Dillon’s Distillery was pumping out their Vodka and Cranberry and a Spiced Pear Collins. And for those still recovering from a rocky Saturday night, there was also refreshing Limonana for purchase, and free samples of the Tea Emporium’s iced and hot teas.
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
But boozed up or sober, everyone was pulling out their wallets when it came time to draw numbers for the raffle from which 100% of proceeds would be donated to MFMW.
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
And in between sips, nibbles and prizes, the all-star judging got underway. And in between sips, nibbles and prizes, the all-star judging got underway. This round, we had Vikram Vij (celebrity restauranteur), Alex Lifeson (Rush guitarist, Juno winner), Liem Vu (Global Morning Show), Dee Brun (Cocktail Deeva), and Susan Merry (All the Best) were entrusted with the difficult task of sampling the chef’s wares, questioning them on stage, and choosing the ultimate winner for the day.
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
Appreciating the challenge these judges had ahead, Carlos Pintos from 40 Creek was standing by with an impressive line up of their beautifully crafted whiskeys to pair with each chef’s apple-icious creations. Once the panel had downed their whiskey, polished off their ribs, and gotten their giggles out, they agreed that Chef Dustin Gallagher of Acadia deserved the bragging rights, a 10 piece Lagostina cookware set and a place in the Delicious Food Show finale! Stay tuned for delicious details on that!
Photography by: Andrew Paprocki | poprockphoto.com
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Abbey is a Dietitian (RD), home chef, food writer, blogger & media personality. Follow her on Twitter at @AbbeysKitchen.
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