Tag Archives: desserts

NEW GELATO STORE OPENS @ YONGE & CHARLES IN TORONTO…BRING ON THE YUMMY!!

Welcome to the neighbourhood, NANI’s! Just in time for summer, owner Parry is bringing his hand-crafted gelato and sorbets to the Yonge & Bloor neighbourhood despite, or maybe because of, the pandemic isolation we’ve all endured over the past 3 months. We all need and are ready for some treats and I can assure you that you won’t find anything yummier than Nani’s amazing daily “from scratch” flavours – I tried several samples today and purchased a big scoop of the Lemon Sorbetto…OMG it was so refreshing and deelish.
Some of you may recall seeing the Nani’s food truck over the past 18 months or so but Parry has now set up his bricks’n’mortar shop on the n.e. corner of Charles E. just behind what used to be McDonalds/Starbucks. 20200604_123016 (2)Inside, you’ll find fresh served waffle cones or cups, as well as take-home pints for your midnight snacks or after-dinner treats. 20200606_133529 (2)20200606_133301AAOnce social distancing practices are removed, Nani’s offers a lovely upstairs seating area (3 or 4 tables) for in-house enjoyment. Parry is very committed to offering customers the very best products, including vegan options and gelatos with Indian & Asian influences – I must sample the Indian Chai, Black Sesame and Mango/Lychee Sorbetto flavours next time.  There’s over 75 flavours that are rotated weekly so check the website for your favourites www.nanisgelato.com

What makes Nani’s products so special & delicious? As opposed to using powdered ice cream, pre-made gelato bases, syrups, food colorings, artificial flavors or pre-made products, Nani’s invested in its own commercial commissary kitchen to make all gelato products from scratch on a daily basis, using fresh ingredients. A unique feature of Nani’s is that we produce our own gelato base using a pasteurization machine from Italy specifically designed for gelato production. The process deepens the flavors and allows our customers to literally taste the difference in our production. With a centralized kitchen and the top gelato-making machines in the world imported from Italy, Nani’s focus is on delivering handcrafted, premium gelato in a small-batch, fresh format.20200606_133224 (2)The store hours are: 12noon to 9pm on weekends and 3pm to 9pm during the week. You can follow Nani’s on IG: @nanisgelato
Next week (starting June 8) the “flavour du jour” is Dark Chocolate” so you know who’s gonna be first in line every day….LOL!20200606_134154 (2)nani'sThanks for supporting local businesses….see you at Nani’s!

GRAZING MY WAY THRU LAST NIGHT’S 21ST ANNUAL “EAT TO THE BEAT” FUNDRAISER

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the 21st annual Eat to the Beat fundraiser, presented by KitchenAid®, for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) which featured 60 female chefs supporting people living with breast cancer.  Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall became the mecca for urban foodies to experience the best Ontario’s culinary scene has to offer.20161101_192052 20161101_192441 20161101_192621 20161101_193335Eat to the Beat guests have the opportunity to enjoy specially prepared savoury and sweet dishes at 60 stations, along with wine, beer and a selection of non alcoholic beverages set up around Roy Thomson Hall’s outer lobby. “We are so grateful to our participating chefs, sponsors and supporters who have helped to make Eat to the Beat Toronto’s must-attend culinary event and fundraiser over the years,” says Cathy Park, co-chair, Eat to the Beat20161101_193704 20161101_193439 20161101_192116Started 21 years ago by sisters Lisa and Abby Slater, Eat to the Beat has raised more than $3.9 million since its inception. Funds raised at Eat to the Beat will support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – dedicated to funding relevant and innovative research, supporting and advocating for the breast cancer community, and providing credible, unbiased information to help empower those affected by breast cancer or at increased genetic risk of developing the disease.

“Just like Lisa and Abby, we’re inspired by the strength of breast cancer survivors and those who are affected by this disease,” says Karen Malone, VP, Research & Programs, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, “Thanks to fundraising events like Eat to the Beat, we can continue to offer emotional support and information to anyone affected by breast cancer.”20161101_194217I ran into a number of friends there, including the lovely ladies from Succulent Chocolates (yummmmm), pictured below…20161101_191956…and lots of other talented bakers, chefs and chocolatiers…..20161101_195939 20161101_19211120161101_195643There was also a number of wineries sampling their products and the fellas from Still Waters Distillery offering shots of their new Stalk & Barrel Canadian whisky (just launched in LCBO stores) – pictured below. Mmmmmm, very nice and smooth.20161101_195441 20161101_195453On behalf of all us hungry foodies attending last night, thank you to all the participating chefs and congrats to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) for another successful soiree. For more information, visit www.cbcf.org

Big thank you to my dear PR colleague, Peter Ashworth (with me below) of Ashworth Associates Inc. for granting my media accreditation – my tummy really thanks you….burp!20161101_202703_001

“EAT TO THE BEAT” FUNDRAISING GALA FEEDS THE SOUL AS WELL AS THE TUMMY!

Thanks to my friend and PR colleague, Peter Ashworth, I attended last night’s “Eat to the Beat” fundraiser benefitting the Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support organization here in Toronto at the prestigious Roy Thomson Hall.img284Hundreds of hungry guests strolled around the circular outer hall, indulging in some of the yummiest treats created by the city’s leading female chefs, accompanied by all manner of liquid refreshments including one of my favourites…below20151027_194810

Upon entering the grand hall, my BFF Erena and I were greeted by a bustiered kick-line of charming volunteers from the Willow organization. They were outfitted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Eat to the Beat and as you can see in this quickee video, all were bedecked in festive accoutrements…LOL

What a great way to start the evening. Congrats to all the energetic, hard-working volunteers! 20151027_185754So Erena (in B&W striped jacket below) and I pressed on and started our safari into the gourmet jungle. Calories be damned!20151027_201504 20151027_193512So many charming chefs who proudly shared their best dishes with us all…20151027_190544 20151027_192934 20151027_190300

20151027_191144 20151027_190955Lamb was a popular meat last night which, of course, made this Downunder lady very happy. It’s no joke when we Aussies boast that Australia was built on the back of a sheep. Yummm.

In between gobbling up the samples, we ran into media friend Christine Bentley (host of “What She Said” on SiriusXM)20151027_193940….and more fabulous funny friends from Willow & event sponsor Scotiabank who worked the room like pro’s!20151027_194534In case you were wondering…yes, there were lots of handsome gentlemen there, too, including reps from Hockley Beer, Pr. Edward County wineries, Ace Bakery and the Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts!20151027_190451 20151027_191432 20151027_200306 20151027_201154Lots of delicious desserts were on offer, too, and being the dedicated chocoholic that I am, I headed straight for the Succulent Chocolates table (below).  You have to taste their chocky-wokkies…wow, talk about a party in your mouth!!20151027_194319These sour cherry/mascarpone blintzes were amazing, too.20151027_191929So many food stations, not enough tummy space! So glad I wore elastic waisted pants…LOL20151027_190511 20151027_200023 20151027_195938 20151027_192904

20151027_190424Apart from all the festive foods and drinkies consumed, we mustn’t lose sight of the night’s mission to raise awareness and $s for the Willow organization. All of us with family, friends or our own selves living with cancer are so grateful to Willow for providing an amazing network of support services. THANK YOU!
It was so nice to see such an enthusiastic crowd coming out to support the event….20151027_191848 20151027_200844

…just enough time left to enjoy a few more naughty nibbles at the dessert stations….20151027_191521

20151027_200439..and thank goodness for Starbucks and their smiling crew (below) who helped cleanse my palette with a nice strong cuppa coffee.20151027_190045I managed to snap two of my favorite ladies, Erena (below left) with Lynne (below right) from KMH Labs on Edward Street20151027_203442And here he is, the one and only Peter Ashworth (below) who worked so hard with his lovely associate Ashley to bring in the media to cover this important soiree.20151027_203751Please visit  www.willow.org  if you need any support or information. And if you would like to like to donate to their cause, it’s certainly not too late.20151027_204007