TORONTO — Last night the League of Extraordinary Chefs, a new collective comprised of Toronto-based toques looking to offer unique culinary experiences in enticing spots in and around the city, hosted its first event, a Mystery Island Picnic, whose location was revealed only a few short days before the gathering at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Hosted by Cheese Boutique cheese master Afrim Pristine, Langdon Hall Hotel & Spa executive chef Jason Bangerter and Royal Canadian Yacht Club executive chef Jonathan Goodyear, the event drew 80 attendees to the picnic-style gathering at the yacht club’s Rose Garden, where guests frequented chef stations and sipped on Samuel Adams.
Some of the dishes on offer from the Cheese Boutique included five-year Parmigiano-Reggiano with balsamic-drowned Ontario strawberries; Rebel Yell cheese marinated and aged in Samuel Adams’ Rebel IPA beer; Ontario Buffalo mozzarella with apple vinegar and marcona almonds; and Pata Negra ham, Manchego and pickled asparagus. Chef Bangerter’s station offered Langdon Hall bread and butter; summer gazpacho; gougère; foie gras parfait; and a heritage breed hen. Jonathan Goodyear offered freshly shucked Canadian oysters; grilled line-caught halibut with herbs and citrus butter; zucchini ribbon slaw and garden basil; and warm chipotle and cheddar cornbread.
Upcoming League of Extraordinary Chefs events will be held at Langdon Hall (July 17), Pizzeria Libretto (Aug. 5) and Ruby Watchco (Sept. 30). The grand finale will be held at the Cheese Boutique on Oct. 28, hosted by Pristine, John Higgins, Keith Froggett, Jonathan Gushue, Anthony Walsh, Nadège Nourian, Marc Thuet, Mark McEwan and Massimo Capra.
