By Julie Reitsma
The Cheese Boutique – former sausage factory and the temple at which we pray – put on quite the do to launch this year’s Festival of Chefs. As the slicers whirled, the bubbly flowed freely and a be-spitted lamb got hauled through the crowds like some sort of roasty VIP, we snacked our way through the best of best–goat’s milk cheddar and some bitey blue, squishy stuffed peppers, mounds of kalamatas and dried figs, salamis, and a shaved truffle pasta that made us weak at the knees. Add the elites of the Toronto food scene (yummy Monsieur Steh and the moustachioed Massimo!) and we were certain that we’d found heaven – except with line-ups.

You missed the party, but the Festival is just starting. Hitch a ride, get on your bike or take the 501 to the farther reaches every Saturday and Sunday through May for a truly cheap (read free) and chic experience. Ten of the top notch of Toronto chefdom have been tagged to participate – Cheese Boutique ingredients, prepared à la demo, get paired up with some wine and while you chat up the chef you get to nibble on the results. You also get to watch them prepare the delicious treats-mmm. Budget bon vivant, indeed.

May 2 – Anthony Walsh of Canoe.
May 3 – Patrick McMurray of Starfish.
May 9 – Massimo Capra of Mistura.
May 10 – Anne Yarymowich of FRANK.
May 16 – John Higgins of the George Brown Chef School.
May 17 – Ryan Gustafson of EPIC.
May 23 – Robert Bartley of Platinum Club.
May 24 – Donna Dooher of Mildred’s Temple Kitchen.
May 30 – Mike Steh of reds bistro.
May 31 – Jonathan Gushue of Langdon Hall.

Cheese Boutique
45 Ripley Avenue
416-762-6292
cheeseboutique.com