Gallery: the fifth annual Brewers Plate brought Ontario craft brewers together with Toronto chefs
Gallery: the fifth annual Brewers Plate brought Ontario craft brewers together with Toronto chefs
By Caroline Aksich | April 20, 2012
By Caroline Aksich | 04/20/2012
(Image: Safa Jinje)
On Wednesday, 450 Torontonians gathered at Roy Thomson Hall for the fifth annual Brewers Plate, a fundraiser that celebrates the marriage of sustainable food and Southern Ontario craft beers. Each year, Brewer’s Plate raises money to benefit a Toronto-area initiative in the food and farming sectors. This year, the beneficiary was Green Thumbs Growing Kids, an innovative program that seeks to reconnect urban youth to their food through a variety of garden-based programs. There were a total of 47 serving stations offering up a springtime feast that featured in-season, locally produced ingredients. Each chef was teamed up with a craft brewery; some made dishes that paired well with their partner brew, while the more intrepid chefs featured beer as a key ingredient in their dishes. In all, a dozen chefs were in attendance (including Lora Kirk of Ruby Watchco, Aaron Joseph Bear Robe of Keriwa Cafe and Brook Kavanagh of La Palette ), along with 21 craft breweries ( Wellington, Great Lakes, Beau’s ) and 11 other food producers (Wanda’s Pie in the Sky, Buddha Dog, Monforte Dairy).
Check out the dishes and featured beers in our gallery »
132979 (Image: Safa Jinje) Av Atikian (Jam Café) boxing up his wild boar meatball and elk flank steak (the animals were raised just outside Toronto) on a bed of root vegetables and oyster mushrooms. The glaze was made with Nickel Brook’s Maple Porter Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate34-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate34.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate34/ apr12brewersplate34 0 0
Av Atikian (Jam Café) boxing up his wild boar meatball and elk flank steak (the animals were raised just outside Toronto) on a bed of root vegetables and oyster mushrooms. The glaze was made with Nickel Brook’s Maple Porter
132978 (Image: Safa Jinje) Tamales from Chris McDonald of Cava Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate33-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate33.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate33.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate33/ apr12brewersplate33 0 0
Tamales from Chris McDonald of Cava
132977 (Image: Safa Jinje) Karen Vaz (The Rebel House) dishing up wild mushroom and smoked cheddar arancini with a carrot Black Oak Pale Ale beure blanc Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate32-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate32.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate32/ apr12brewersplate32 0 0
Karen Vaz (The Rebel House) dishing up wild mushroom and smoked cheddar arancini with a carrot Black Oak Pale Ale beure blanc
132947 (Image: Safa Jinje) Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate_intro.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate_intro/ apr12brewersplate_intro 0 0
132976 (Image: Safa Jinje) John Robertson’s (Big Carrot) spelt and walnut vegetarian “meatball,” with queso fresco and coriander sprouts. It was served with a selection of beers chosen by Mill St.’s Steve Abrams Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate31-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate31.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate31/ apr12brewersplate31 0 0
John Robertson’s (Big Carrot) spelt and walnut vegetarian “meatball,” with queso fresco and coriander sprouts. It was served with a selection of beers chosen by Mill St.’s Steve Abrams
132975 (Image: Safa Jinje) Wanda’s bite-sized sour cherry pie Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate30-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate30.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate30/ apr12brewersplate30 0 0
Wanda’s bite-sized sour cherry pie
132974 (Image: Safa Jinje) Arlene Dickinson (of <em>Dragon’s Den</em> fame) with Jamie Kennedy (this year’s event patron) Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate29-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate29.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate29.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate29/ apr12brewersplate29 0 0
Arlene Dickinson (of Dragon’s Den fame) with Jamie Kennedy (this year’s event patron)
132973 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Michael Smith’s (Gladstone) banh mi of venison liver pâté, mortadella and roast pork shoulder, served on a Denison’s Weissbier bun (the little sandwiches were gone before you could say Denison’s Weissbier bun). For those too late to indulge in Smith’s take on banh mi, Smith offered up some sweet condolences in the form of purple carrot cake. Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate27.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate27/ apr12brewersplate27 0 0
Michael Smith’s (Gladstone) banh mi of venison liver pâté, mortadella and roast pork shoulder, served on a Denison’s Weissbier bun (the little sandwiches were gone before you could say Denison’s Weissbier bun). For those too late to indulge in Smith’s take on banh mi, Smith offered up some sweet condolences in the form of purple carrot cake.
132972 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Keriwa’s molasses– and Great Lakes Porter–braised Berkshire pork shoulder with celeriac puree and sapphire herb oil, adorned with a julienned apple and parsley salad Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate25.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate25/ apr12brewersplate25 0 0
Keriwa’s molasses– and Great Lakes Porter–braised Berkshire pork shoulder with celeriac puree and sapphire herb oil, adorned with a julienned apple and parsley salad
132971 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Aaron Joseph Bear Robe of Keriwa Café teamed up with the Great Lakes Brewing Company Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate24.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate24/ apr12brewersplate24 0 0
Aaron Joseph Bear Robe of Keriwa Café teamed up with the Great Lakes Brewing Company
132970 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Ricotta gnudi and beer cheese fondue. Mark Cutrara used Grand River Brewing’s Curmudgeon IPA in the cheese sauce Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate22.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate22/ apr12brewersplate22 0 0
Ricotta gnudi and beer cheese fondue. Mark Cutrara used Grand River Brewing’s Curmudgeon IPA in the cheese sauce
132969 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Meat man Mark Cutrara of Cowbell sporting a Hooked t-shirt Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate21.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate21/ apr12brewersplate21 0 0
Meat man Mark Cutrara of Cowbell sporting a Hooked t-shirt
132968 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Magical Catering’s five grain salad on a round of beet Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate20.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate20/ apr12brewersplate20 0 0
Magical Catering’s five grain salad on a round of beet
132967 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Applewood Farm Winery’s raspberry and apple hard ciders Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate19.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate19/ apr12brewersplate19 0 0
Applewood Farm Winery’s raspberry and apple hard ciders
132966 (Image: Caroline Aksich) 2010 iced cider from Applewood Farm Winery Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate18.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate18/ apr12brewersplate18 0 0
2010 iced cider from Applewood Farm Winery
132965 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Buddha Dog is a veteran at the Brewer’s Plate (this is their fifth go at the event). When asked what beer paired best with his Mexican-inspired dog, owner Andrew Mackenzie answered, “It goes best with beer.” Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate17.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate17/ apr12brewersplate17 0 0
Buddha Dog is a veteran at the Brewer’s Plate (this is their fifth go at the event). When asked what beer paired best with his Mexican-inspired dog, owner Andrew Mackenzie answered, “It goes best with beer.”
132964 (Image: Caroline Aksich) LPK Culinary Groove’s spicy peanut butter chocolate lollipops Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate16.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate16/ apr12brewersplate16 0 0
LPK Culinary Groove’s spicy peanut butter chocolate lollipops
132963 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Brook Kavanagh’s five game bird ballantine—squab stuffed in a guinea hen stuffed in a partridge stuffed in a pheasant stuffed into a goose thigh—served on a bed of toasted barley and hen-of-the-woods risotto and garnished with foraged greens (trout lilies, wood sorrel and wild leeks) Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate15.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate15/ apr12brewersplate15 0 0
Brook Kavanagh’s five game bird ballantine—squab stuffed in a guinea hen stuffed in a partridge stuffed in a pheasant stuffed into a goose thigh—served on a bed of toasted barley and hen-of-the-woods risotto and garnished with foraged greens (trout lilies, wood sorrel and wild leeks)
132962 (Image: Safa Jinje) Brook Kavanagh of La Palette was teamed up with Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company. Kavanagh made the sauce—a game bird stock reduction—with Beau’s experimental fruit beer, Mates with Dates Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate14.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate14/ apr12brewersplate14 0 0
Brook Kavanagh of La Palette was teamed up with Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company. Kavanagh made the sauce—a game bird stock reduction—with Beau’s experimental fruit beer, Mates with Dates
132961 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Ben Lewis of Presidential Gourmet braised this Ontario lamb with Railway City Brewing’s Dead Elephant Ale Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate13.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate13/ apr12brewersplate13 0 0
Ben Lewis of Presidential Gourmet braised this Ontario lamb with Railway City Brewing’s Dead Elephant Ale
132960 (Image: Caroline Aksich) For the Brewer’s Plate, Chrystal Porter of ChocoSol whipped up floats of Black Oak Nut Brown beer with chocolate ice cream Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate12.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate12/ apr12brewersplate12 0 0
For the Brewer’s Plate, Chrystal Porter of ChocoSol whipped up floats of Black Oak Nut Brown beer with chocolate ice cream
132959 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Merchants of Green Coffee roasting some beans on the spot. The MGC were also selling coffee trees for $10 to support the Jane Goodall Institute Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate11.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate11/ apr12brewersplate11 0 0
Merchants of Green Coffee roasting some beans on the spot. The MGC were also selling coffee trees for $10 to support the Jane Goodall Institute
132958 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Chef-and-owner of Vert Catering Pedro Dos Santos Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate10.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate10/ apr12brewersplate10 0 0
Chef-and-owner of Vert Catering Pedro Dos Santos
132957 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Vert Catering’s parsnip bacon soup in an edible pastry cup, accented with micro greens Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate9.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate9/ apr12brewersplate9 0 0
Vert Catering’s parsnip bacon soup in an edible pastry cup, accented with micro greens
132956 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Michael Abbott and Matt Dunbar of Grapevine Catering were teamed up with Steam Whistle, whose reps were keeping them “lubricated” Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate8.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate8/ apr12brewersplate8 0 0
Michael Abbott and Matt Dunbar of Grapevine Catering were teamed up with Steam Whistle, whose reps were keeping them “lubricated”
132954 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Grapevine Catering’s morel and sweet pea tarragon crepes on a bed of watercress salad Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate6.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate6/ apr12brewersplate6 0 0
Grapevine Catering’s morel and sweet pea tarragon crepes on a bed of watercress salad
132953 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Lora Kirk of Ruby Watchco used Wellington’s Iron Duke Strong Ale to braise the rabbit for this one-bite morsel. Each slice of Ace baguette was slathered with rabbit liver parfait and then topped with a rabbit, heirloom carrot and golden beet slaw with a mustard orange dressing Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate5.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate5/ apr12brewersplate5 0 0
Lora Kirk of Ruby Watchco used Wellington’s Iron Duke Strong Ale to braise the rabbit for this one-bite morsel. Each slice of Ace baguette was slathered with rabbit liver parfait and then topped with a rabbit, heirloom carrot and golden beet slaw with a mustard orange dressing
132952 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Wellington Brewery had two brews on the go: Iron Duke Strong Ale and Special Pale Ale Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate4.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate4/ apr12brewersplate4 0 0
Wellington Brewery had two brews on the go: Iron Duke Strong Ale and Special Pale Ale
132951 (Image: Safa Jinje) Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate3.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate3/ apr12brewersplate3 0 0
132950 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Monforte Dairy’s water buffalo taleggio (a washed rind and smear-ripened Italian cheese) served on Evelyn’s Crackers Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate2a-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate2a.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate2a.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate2a/ apr12brewersplate2a 0 0
Monforte Dairy’s water buffalo taleggio (a washed rind and smear-ripened Italian cheese) served on Evelyn’s Crackers
132948 (Image: Caroline Aksich) Brad Long (Café Belong) served up a hearty venison and root vegetable stew on a buttermilk biscuit, garnished with garlic aioli and micro arugula. Long teamed up with Muskoka Brewery, which was featuring its new seasonal beer, Spring Oddity. The crisp juniper berry aftertaste of the spring brew married well with the rich stew Brewers Plate 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12BrewersPlate1.jpg 624 411 [] https://torontolife.com/food/brewers-plate-2/slide/apr12brewersplate1/ apr12brewersplate1 0 0
Brad Long (Café Belong) served up a hearty venison and root vegetable stew on a buttermilk biscuit, garnished with garlic aioli and micro arugula. Long teamed up with Muskoka Brewery, which was featuring its new seasonal beer, Spring Oddity. The crisp juniper berry aftertaste of the spring brew married well with the rich stew