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Here’s what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto

By Toronto Life| Photography by Josh Fee
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto

If you’ve ever wanted to level-up your home cooking game with techniques from some of Toronto’s top chefs, TL Insider‘s Masterclass series is for you. In early July, a group of insiders gathered at Tanto to see up-close how chef Julian Iliopoulos prepares the Ossington restaurant’s signature duck dish. It’s called duck al hilo—duck by a thread—for the method in which the meat cooks while dangling over a live fire, resulting in a beautifully golden-crispy duck licked with plenty of smoke flavour. On this particular evening, it also resulted in an unforgettable meal. Here’s a look at how the event unfolded.

Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
The crowd gathered around Tanto’s chef’s counter for a quick introductory chat with Iliopoulos—with wine and snacks, of course.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Iliopoulos introduced the star of the evening: the duck!
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Iliopoulos called for volunteers to help prepare the duck for cooking.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
The key to duck al hilo: that would be the hilo, or thread in Spanish, by which the duck hangs during cooking.
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Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Duck al hilo, in progress.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
And here’s the finished, resting duck.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
It’s time to slice and serve!
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Members were invited, and encouraged, to get hands-on with the food.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
And hey, who wouldn’t want some duck-fat potatoes to go with their protein?
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Here’s the full spread prepared by Iliopoulus, with the duck and those potatoes paired with some juicy red beets.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
Dinner is served.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
And of course, dessert: some smoky flame-grilled strawberry shortcakes.
Here's what went down at the latest members-only Toronto Life Masterclass at Tanto
The full crew, mid-meal.

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