3rd Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party 2019

Guests Sample Gourmet Food Creations from Celebrity Chef’s from Top Chef Canada & Chopped Canada at The 3rd Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party 2019

(by Sally Warburton)

The 3rd Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party took place on Saturday, September 21st, 2019. This brilliant creation of teacher chef Keith Hoare known as Chef H. has now become an annual event. 

Held at Thistletown Collegiate in north Etobicoke, the northwest part of Toronto, the location provides lots of parking and is an easy drive just north of the 401 highway. 

The annual high school event is the creation of culinary arts instructor and Chopped Canada champion Chef Keith Hoare. He and his students hosted 2019’s Chefs Harvest Party on Saturday from noon to 3:30 pm at the school located at 20 Fordwich Cres., Toronto. The gourmet Italian-themed fall afternoon event supports the culinary arts program and the students’ planned trip to Italy during March Break 2020.  

And gourmet it was!… Chefs who participated were Dennis Tay of DaiLo, George Brown College Culinary Director Chef John Higgins, Executive Chef Dan Craig and his team from The Westin Harbour Castle Toronto, John Placko of Modern Culinary Academy, Chef Wallace Wong of Six Pack Chef. Chef  Executive Chef at CN Tower John Morris, Chef and cookbook author Claire Tansey, Charlotte Langley of Scout Canning & Events, Executive Chef of True True Diner Suzanne Barr, Jagger Gordon of Feed it Forward. Chef Russell Auckbaraullee of Penthouse Catering along with others.  

There was an oyster bar, scallop crudo, gourmet pizza, cheeses, meat dishes, salads, delicious desserts, even edible balloons! The cost of the tickets $55 was well worth it! Attendees were able to sample from as many booths as they wished. Line ups didn’t exist- there were so many booths and so much choice. Children under 12, accompanied by a paying adult were free.

oyster bar at the Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party 2019

3rd Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party 2019

3rd Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party 2019

Chef John Higgins, Culinary Director of George Brown College

Students greeted attendees and handed out a pamphlet for all upon arrival. The brochure included descriptions of the Chefs and the cooking demos. The first area seen was students selling professionally-made and delicious banana bread, dips & sauces and jams. Plenty of samples resulted in driving high sales! The main room was bright and airy with beautiful sunshine in a warm sunny September Saturday. The room was set up wonderfully, each chef and their team had booths with plenty of delicious samples, some big enough to be a meal in itself! A bright, colourful salad bar was one highlight, besides being nutritious and delicious, the salad bar cart was decorated with colourful seasonal vegetables like bright red tomatoes, olives and capers, and carrots, an impressive and unique salad bar. A vivid variety of fruits and sparkling peach grape juice from Gavioli cleansed guests’ pallets.  

Scrumptious dishes included apple pie samosas, truffle wine pasta from Penthouse Catering by Chef Russell, and hot oven pizza freshly baked in the outer court oven, where the pizza chefs enjoyed the beautiful outdoor scene.

Long tables with chairs were set up as well as high tables for standing. The layout was all very well designed. The room looked very fresh and elegant. 

 Everything was all “TOO delicious!” Each Chef and their teams were happy to share and discuss their chosen Italian food sample and promote their restaurant locations. Students proudly represented the culinary programs from Humber College, George Brown, Centennial College and Stratford Chef School with amazing food booths. Bailee Letman, who’s studying at the Stratford Chef School, has the goal of being the owner/operator of her own sustainable foodservice business. So not only is the Annual Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party a place to sample exquisite cuisine, but it’s an excellent way of learning about the culinary programs at culinary colleges in Ontario. Chef Keith Hoare is an award-winning teacher, and we could see why: the results of the students with their focus and passion in culinary arts created another very successful food event. There was an extensive Silent Auction with tons of exciting items, including bidding on a Chef ‘s table dinner for 8 at your home.

Thistletown Chef’s Harvest Party annual event is not to be missed by foodies and future chefs! Congratulations to the culinary students, Chefs and organizers for being part of such a fantastic fundraising event.