For further information regarding any of these events please click here.

SATURDAY, MAY 8

Event: A Tour of France Dinner
Featured Chef: Mark McEwan
Restaurant: ONE
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Ticket Cost: TBD

Event Description:

French wines, opulent surroundings, exemplary service and the delicious modern gourmet stylings of one of Toronto’s most celebrated chefs. This is the start of a perfect evening. Chef Mark McEwan’s triple threat of restaurants — North 44, Bymark and ONE — have defined fine dining in Toronto, each a distinct expression of McEwan’s passion for fresh, modern, Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and exemplary service. For this French-themed dinner, McEwan’s gorgeous Yorkville restaurant ONE provides the elegant backdrop to a journey through the wine regions of France. Domaine Louis Jadot will be a focus, and a representative of this famous Burgundy house will be in attendance. The Chef himself will also play host as guests enjoy the evening’s culinary entertainment. Sponsored by the Wines of France and Lifford Wine Agency.

Event: Killer Cocktails: NYC Style
with Sasha Petraske from Milk & Honey NYC
Venue: Hart House, University of Toronto
Time: 8 pm – 10 pm
Ticket Cost: $40

Event Description:

New York City owes a lot to Sasha Petraske. Recognized as NYC’s master of cocktail mixing, Sasha is known for his devotion to creating the finest cocktails in The Big Apple and is responsible for the recent cocktail renaissance in the city. The evening’s killer cocktails will feature Sasha’s creations alongside those from Toronto’s hottest “master mixers”: Jen Agg of The Black Hoof and Christine Sismondo, author of Mondo Cocktail. Snacks provided by Tawfik Shehata of Vertical Restaurant.

MONDAY, MAY 10

Event: Hot Chefs & Cool Food: Iron Chef Duel, Round 1
Venue: Nyood Restaurant, Queen Street West
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $75

Event Description:

Toronto’s top chefs battle it out for kitchen supremacy and — even better still — the Salut Iron Chef Duel Award. Toronto’s downtown hotspot Nyood will be transformed into a gourmet promenade, a cool festival style walk-about venue with “action” stations showcasing food and wine demonstrations you can enjoy while watching the competition unfold in the open “stadium kitchen.” A panel of celebrity judges will be on hand to select the winner. Who will reign supreme?

Chefs:

1. Jamie Meireles – Oliver & Bonacini – Executive Chef
2. Jason Innis & Bertrand Alepee – Amuse Bouche

TUESDAY, MAY 11

Event: Hot Chefs & Cool Food: Iron Chef Duel, Round 2
Venue: Nyood Restaurant, Queen St. W.
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $75

Event Description:

Toronto’s top chefs battle it out for kitchen supremacy and — even better still — the Salut Iron Chef Duel Award. Toronto’s downtown hotspot Nyood will be transformed into a gourmet promenade, a cool festival style walk-about venue with “action” stations showcasing food and wine demonstrations you can enjoy while watching the competition unfold in the open “stadium kitchen.” A panel of celebrity judges will be on hand to select the overall winner. Who will reign supreme?

Chefs:

1. Gordon Mackie – Sircorp
2. Rob – Bucca (TBC)
3. Brassai (TBC)

Event: Salut presents Lynn Crawford – Welcome Home!

Shingleback Winemaker Dinner
Restaurant: Ruby Watchco.Time: 6:30 pm – 10 pm
Ticket Cost: $150 (includes all food, wine, tax & gratuity)
Wine Maker: Kym Davey, Proprietor, Shingleback Winery, McLaren Vale, Australia

Event Description:

Lynn Crawford is an energetic TV personality, masterful chef for some of the world’s most luxurious five-star properties and now, finally, the owner of her own neighbourhood eatery. Lynn’s return to Toronto this spring after eight years as Executive Chef to the Four Seasons in New York City is not just a homecoming, but also a call to action. With Lynn in town, the city’s restaurant scene just got a kick in the pants! She’s teamed up with Cherie Stinson of Food Network’s Restaurant Makeover to turn a shambly Leslieville spot into a funky and cozy place to enjoy top-quality locally focused ingredients in a casual setting. Toronto’s top sommelier Zoltan Szabo directs the wine program and will be hosting our visiting winery owner and 5th generation Australian farmer for this event: Kym Davey from Shingleback Winery in McLaren Vale, Australia. Wine and food will meld deliciously in this multi-course journey that will demonstrate passion for flavours, quality and a great time.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

Event: Fetzer Great Beginnings – Appetizer Challenge
Venue: The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $65

Event Description:

Ten top chefs from the hottest Toronto establishments square off in competition as they go for the Gold. Selecting the ingredients and designing the dish they feel will pair the best with Fetzer Pinot Grigio, the chefs are challenged to create an inventive and delicious appetizer. Guests will taste, compare and vote on their choice for most innovative food and wine pairing. This is a great way to get a snap shot of the culinary scene and “who’s who” in Toronto’s culinary scene.

Charitable Partner: GBC Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts

THURSDAY, MAY 13

Event: Toast to Terroir – Ontario
Venue: GBC Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts(George Brown College – Culinary School)
Time: 7 pm – 10 pm
Ticket Cost: $60

Event Description:

The impact of terroir on the taste of wine is undeniable, but it is hard to describe. Terroir is the sense of place, a combination of the physical location and landscape, weather, techniques and culture that together influence how a wine tastes. From the stony soil of Prince Edward County to the heart of Ontario wine country in Niagara, and south to Pelee Island (which shares the same latitude as France’s Bordeaux region) and Lake Erie North Shore, we enjoy a range of terroirs that influence the flavours of our wines, giving them each a distinct profile. You have to taste it to believe it! Come sip and savour a selection of wines produced from a broad range of local Ontario wineries, and get the winemaker’s take on the true meaning of terroir in Ontario

FRIDAY, MAY 14

Event: Salut Grand Tasting – French & International Wines
Venue: Hart House – University of Toronto
Time: 7 pm – 11 pm
Ticket Cost: $75

Event Description:

France began producing wine in the 6th Century B.C. Today, with about 27,000 wineries across the country, the French know a thing or two about wine. They’ve proven it! The evening’s offerings will focus on French wines and cuisine, yet with an international flair. Featured wines represent all the major wine producing regions. Globetrot around this event, sipping and sampling more than 150 varieties wines from France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, California, Chile, Argentina and Ontario. A world of wine, no passport required.

SATURDAY, MAY 15

Event: French Toast! A Celebration of France
Venue: St Lawrence Hall
Time: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Ticket Cost: $80

Event Description:

You can argue that many of the world’s most refined cultures are inextricably linked to (even fueled by) the glorious gift of nature known as wine. But it is without question the country of France that comes to mind first in any discussion of quality, leadership and longevity in all aspects of fermented grape juice. The French just now how to do it, and they’ve been doing it for centuries. But this is also a country of innovation. Modern winemakers are building on generations of winemaking experience, crafting contemporary styles that match perfectly with evolving tastes. Yet, the respect for tradition and uncompromising quality never wavers, as you will discover as you taste, discuss and share the joy of discovery with the visiting winemakers. This event will take you on a journey through France, its people, its passions and, most of all, its wonderful wines.

Event: Stadtlander in the City! Salut Grand Finale Dinner

Exclusive Dining Experience for Visa Infinite Cardholders
Featured Chef: Michael Stadtlander
Venue: Artscape Wychwood Barns
Time: 6 pm – 10:30 pm
Ticket Cost: $325
(All inclusive price – includes all food, wine, tax & gratuity)
MC: James Chatto, Toronto Life Restaurant Columnist & Food Critic

Event Description:

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the culinary theatre of Eigensinn Farm chef and proprietor Michael Stadtlander in the heart of downtown Toronto. For 17 years, Stadtlander has operated Eigensinn Farm near Collingwood, advocating for the authenticity of true farm-to-table experiences before it became de riguer. His new restaurant Haisai in Singhampton took the top spot in Toronto Life’s 2010 ranking of best new restaurants. An iconoclast, rebel and artist — all labels fall by the wayside when you taste the master’s food. Honest, inventive, pure, delightful — his cuisine celebrates diverse flavours, passionate farmers and the land and lakes that surround us. Chef will present a glorious multi-course dinner, served under the glass canopy of Barn 2 at the visually stunning Artscape Wychwood Barns. Guests will enjoy a superb dinner – and a few surprises — matched with Ontario wines chosen by Chef to complement his dishes. A truly unique and memorable evening!

Charitable Partner: The STOP Community