Weekly Eater: Toronto food events for September 3 to 9

Monday September 3

• Piola’s Monday Night Mixer: Piola’s weekly aperitivo Italiano, with cocktail and beer specials and complimentary snacks. 1165 Queen St. W., 416-477-4652. Find out more »

Tuesday September 4

• Escape the City—Canoe and Beach Dining Adventure: Paddle to the island with the Culinary Adventure Company for a gourmet beach picnic. 416-565-1730. Find out more »
  

Wednesday September 5

• A Chef’s Tour of Little Italy: Join the Culinary Adventure Company on a behind-the-scenes tour of Little Italy’s finest kitchens. 416-565-1730. Find out more »
• Crackdown! Fundraiser: Crackdown! is a short video that takes a satirical look at what it means to raise chickens in your backyard—and become a criminal for doing so. Come out for the last night of the Crackdown! Fundraising Campaign and join other “local food criminals” for appetizers, drinks and a raffle to win great prizes and raise the funds to complete the film. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »

Thursday September 6

• Dim Sum Bar: Haute dim sum institution Lai Wah Heen will be popping up at Senses Bakery with a special TIFF dim sum bar, with Peking duck on the hour. Senses Bakery, 318 Wellington St. W. Find out more »
• Wine and Cheese: Discover some inspired fine wine and regional cheese matches from around the world, learn simple strategies for flawless pairings and explore cheeses you likely haven’t tried before. LCBO Summerhill, 10 Scrivener Sq., 416-922-0403. Find out more »
• Green Bites Workshop—Canning and Preserving: Learn the basics, including various methods and equipment, how to make your own pickling spices and how to fill jars and apply lids. Menu includes country-style chutney, French beans in tomato sauce and country-style chicken dinner. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »

Friday September 7

• 28th Annual Vegetarian Festival: This large annual event features speaker panels, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and tastings from top Toronto chefs, restaurants and food vendors. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Find out more »
• Back Door Burgers: Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead serves up its popular burgers for $5 from 11:30 to 2 p.m. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. Find out more »
• Bar Gilead Series: A Friday evening series at Gilead that focuses on tapas and cocktails. 4 Gilead Pl., 647-288-0680. Find out more »
• World Café at the Harbourfront Centre: Returning for 2012. Enjoy a rotating variety of ethnic treats. 235 Queens Quay W. at the Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace. Find out more »
• Dim Sum Bar: Haute dim sum institution Lai Wah Heen will be popping up at Senses Bakery with a special TIFF dim sum bar, with Peking duck on the hour. Senses Bakery, 318 Wellington St. W. Find out more »

Saturday September 8

• Strolling the Streets of New Orleans: Join chef Jenelle Regnier-Davis for a tour of the Cajun and creole flavours of the Big Easy. The menu includes shrimp ’n’ grits with spicy rémoulade sauce, crab cakes with sweet corn and jalapeno on greens, chicken and sausage gumbo and bananas foster with banana bread pudding. Dish Cooking Studio, 390 Dupont St., 416-920-5559. Find out more »
• Supper Club—Curry Flavour With Greg Couillard: Join this well-known chef for a feast of the food he loves to make: dishes inspired by Thai, Indian and Caribbean curries. The Depanneur, 1033 College St., 416-828-1990. Find out more »
• Stop Market Café: Enjoy a weekly meal sourced from ingredients found at the adjacent farmers’ market. Proceeds from sales at the café are reinvested in The Stop’s programs. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green Barn, 601 Christie St. Find out more »
• Chocolate and Cheese Crawl: Why choose one when you can have both? ChowBella Culinary Experiences hosts a chocolate and cheese tour of Queen and King West’s food shops. Find out more »
• Hands in the Bowl: The Evergreen Brick Works invites children (ages four to seven) and their caregivers to roll up their sleeves and learn how to mix, grate, mash and then eat their delicious creations—using only their hands. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Discover Greektown on the Danforth Walking Tour: Explore this quickly changing neighbourhood with the Culinary Adventure Company. Sample some Greek mezethes, indulge in Greek wine-tasting and find the perfect addition to your kitchen while gourmet shopping. Culinary Adventure Co., 416-565-1730. Find out more »
• Streetcar Food Tour: Take a tour along the 501 Queen streetcar route, crossing the entire city and stopping for tastings in six different neighbourhoods. 416-826-1997. Find out more »
• Global Wine Tour—Art of Wine and Cheese: Taste a flight of eight types of wines, each paired with a different cheese. Global Wine Tour Harbour Square Suite, 33 Harbour Sq., 416-909-0460. Find out more »
• Introduction to Cake Decorating—Working With Fondant: A class teaching beginners the steps to making a professional-looking cake using fondant. Learn how to work with fondant and gum paste to create flowers, butterflies and cake designs perfect for wedding or specialty cakes. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
• World Café at the Harbourfront Centre: Returning for 2012. Enjoy a rotating variety of ethnic treats. 235 Queens Quay W. at the Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace. Find out more »
• 28th Annual Vegetarian Festival: This large annual event features speaker panels, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and tastings from top Toronto chefs, restaurants and food vendors. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Find out more »
• Dim Sum Bar: Haute dim sum institution Lai Wah Heen will be popping up at Senses Bakery with a special TIFF dim sum bar, with Peking duck on the hour. Senses Bakery, 318 Wellington St. W. Find out more »

Sunday September 9

• AwesTRUCK: A big party to celebrate the success of food trucks in the city, with prizes awarded for Best New Food Truck, Best Concept, Best Menu Item, Road Warrior and Best Graphics. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Find out more »
• Traditional Afternoon Tea Session: Enjoy a ladies’ afternoon tea session at Le Dolci. The two-hour tea service features an assortment of pastries like scones, tea sandwiches and cookies with fashion-inspired decorations. A wide selection of loose-leaf teas, from fruity to floral to peppery, will also be available for you to choose from. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
• The Stop’s Beer Garden: This week, beer by Flying Monkeys and food by Hot Mess Hall. Green Barn, 601 Christie St. Find out more»
• TIFF-Inspired Introduction to Cupcake Decorating: A hands-on workshop teaching you how to dress up a cupcake, this week with special TIFF-themed decorations. Le Dolci, 1006 Dundas St. W., 416-262-3400. Find out more »
• Lettuce Wrap Night at Chantecler: Chantecler is offering lettuce wraps with helpings of meats, assorted pickles and condiments for $19 per person until 1 a.m.—or the food runs out. Chantecler, 1320 Queen St. W., 416-628-3586. Find out more »
• Cupcake Couture: Explore the baking and decorating possibilities beyond Betty Crocker. Bonnie Gordon College, 868 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-440-0333. Find out more »
• World Café at the Harbourfront Centre: Returning for 2012. Enjoy a rotating variety of ethnic treats. 235 Queens Quay W. at the Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace. Find out more »
• 28th Annual Vegetarian Festival: This large annual event features speaker panels, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and tastings from top Toronto chefs, restaurants and food vendors. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Find out more »

Farmers’ Markets:

• Sorauren Farmers’ Market: Monday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the field house at Sorauren Park. 50 Wabash Ave.
• East York Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 850 Coxwell Ave.
• Riverdale Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 201 Winchester St. (in Riverdale Park)
• Ryerson University MyMarket: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Gould St., east of Yonge
• SickKids Hospital Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 555 University Ave.
• Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Northwest corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park near Dundas St. W. and Shaw St.
• 401 Richmond Farmers’ Market: Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 401 Richmond St. W.
• Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 100 Queen St. W.
• Queens Quay Terminal Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 207 Queens Quay W.
• Bloor-Borden Farmers’ Market: Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Green P Lot, Lippincott St. and Bloor St. W.
  
• Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 873 Dufferin St. (in Dufferin Grove Park)
• East Lynn Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 1949 Danforth Ave.
• Metro Hall Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. David Pecaut Square, 55 John St.
• North York Civic Centre Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
• Toronto Botanical Gardens Organic Farmers’ Market: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 777 Lawrence Ave. E.
• St. Lawrence North Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. 92 Front St. E.
• Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 550 Bayview Ave.
• The Stop Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St.
• Withrow Park Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 725 Logan Ave. (in Withrow Park)
• Junction Farmers’ Market: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Green P Lot, 385 Pacific Ave.
• Leslieville Farmers’ Market: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 20 Woodward Ave.
• Liberty Village Farmers’ Market: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Green P Lot, Hanna Ave. and East Liberty St.