Come Out and Help Revolutionize Street Food in Toronto

Some people are just constantly s*%t out of luck with opportunity. Tom Kime is apparently not one of those people - he's the sort of person whose bio you read and it's just one fantastic adventure after another. He was a chef at several celebrated restaurants in London and Sydney before becoming the executive chef at the Fortina Spa Resort on the island of Malta. Mmm, Malta although maybe the island got claustrophobic because Tom jetted out of Malta and began traveling the world in search of traditional types of street food. He's written a book about his travels - part cookbook, part travelogue - "Street Food" chronicles Tom's tastings as he travels the globe (India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa) sampling street food from roadside stands, markets, carts, and wagons.

On the topic of street food, I think about my experience in Toronto and it comes down to hot dogs, sausages and buttered chile corn at Word on the Street. In some countries the food on the street is better (more interesting, more flavourful, more trustworthy) than the food served in restaurants. Unfortunately for someone visiting Toronto they would have a pitiful purview into the incredibly diverse breadth of Toronto cuisine if he/she judged the city by its street food. God forbid.

Apparently Councillor John Filion feels the same way because he's inviting Torontonians out to see and eat the possibilities of Street Food hopefully to come.

Here's part of the announcemount and I hope to see you there - I'm personally excited to try the 5 Spiced Chinese Melon Soup with Curried Shellfish from Rain!

Please join us for Toronto Street Treats Main Course Event-
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Where: Nathan Phillips Square

When: Friday, July 13, 2007
Noon to 2 p.m. Vendors selling examples of new Toronto street food to the public

Hosts: Councillor John Filion and Chefs from some of Toronto’s best restaurants, including:

Chris McDonald, Cava
Claudio Aprile, Colborne Lane
Didier Leroy, Didier
Food Share
Golden Turtle Restaurant
Indian Rice Factory
Izakaya Restaurant
Jamie Kennedy
Jumbo Empanada
Lemon Heaven
Pappas Grill
Guy Rubino, Rain Restaurant
Sunshine Shakes
Carole Ferrari, The Local Cafe
Viva Tastings

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Restaurant Menu Item(s) Price

Cava • Florentine Tripe Stew $2
Colborne Lane • Cereal $3
Didier • Ontario Green Asparagus $2
• Flamishe $2
Food Share • Sweet Potato Bundles $1
• Chili Lime Corn $1
• Fruit Skewers $1
Golden Turtle • Fried Spring Rolls (veggie/meat) $4
• Fresh Salad Rolls with Shrimp $4
• Juice $3
Indian Rice Factory • Dosa (Indian Crepe with Spicy Potato Stuffing) $6
• Faalsa $1
Izakaya • Tsukune $5
• Grilled Tofu $4
Jamie Kennedy • Curried Vegetables with Rice Hopper $5
Jumbo Empanada • Empanada $3
Pappas Grill • Chicken Souvlaki on a Pita $5
• Pork Soulavki on a Pita $4
Rain • 5 Spiced Chinese Melon Soup with Curried Shellfish $5
• Sugar Cane Jasmine Iced Tea Lemonade $2
The Local Café • Summer Salad Rolls $3
Viva Tastings • Strawberry, Sour Cream Brown Sugar Crepe $6
• Gruyere Cheese, Fresh Dill Cracked Black Pepper Crepe $6
• Assorted Salads with Savoury Hors d’oeuvres $6