Pop-Up Pick: chef Aleem Syed previews the menu for his new halal food truck

Pop-Up Pick: chef Aleem Syed previews the menu for his new halal food truck

(Images: @chefaleem/Facebook, @chefaleem/Instagram)

Aleem Syed’s story is an inspiring one. The Toronto chef, whose resume includes stints at Canoe and Origin North, sustained a spinal cord injury back in 2008 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. The setback might have brought his career to a halt were it not for Pascal Ribreau, the paraplegic chef then running midtown bistro Celestin, who encouraged Syed to keep pursuing his passion for food. Now, after several years catering events, Syed is bringing his particular brand of halal cooking to West Queen West. (For those who don’t know, “halal” is a word used to describe foods that are permissible for Muslims to eat and drink under Islamic Shari’ah law.) From November 22 to January 5, he’ll be hosting a pop-up at Queen West bar The Midpoint. There, he’ll be previewing dishes from his new halal food truck, The Holy Grill, which is set to hit the road in February 2015. The debut menu will include casual fusion snacks (Indian-spiced shrimp tacos, butter-chicken poutine) and a few more refined plates, with everything priced under $10. For reservations, email [email protected] or call 416-704-4633.

Nov. 22–Jan.5, The Midpoint, 1180 Queen St. W., facebook.com