Any CLers in Toronto?

[cookrrr]

Hi!
Are there any Cooking Light readers in Toronto and area who would be interested in a supper club?

[jd]

I check this part of the BB every time I log on to see if there is anyone in Toronto. Today, I decided to take the plunge and start a thread myself, and low and behold, it was there already! Thanks, cookrrr! I'm just a starting cook, but would be interested. What part of Toronto are you in? I'm in Etobicoke.

[Daniel]

Hello there! I was wondering when a club in Toronto was going to show up. Bravo to you for taking the first step. I live in Toronto, but can get to the outreaches quite easily. Let's get this rolling....

[cookrrr]

I'm so happy to see two responses already. I knew there had to be other Toronto readers out there! Great to "meet" you both.

Jd and Daniel, what do you have in mind for the club? Couples, singles, or both? I will most likely be on my own for this but it's just fine with me if others want to bring SOs. Hopefully we'll also get a couple more responses on this board.

I live in the northern suburbs but within the city limits. Easy highway access and not too bad by transit. I love cooking but am not Super Chef by any stretch of the imagination. Looking forward to getting started!

[Daniel]

Alright, don't tell me we have petered out at three members? Maybe this is a good starting point. Three CLers with friends or SOs gives us a party of six. Might be a good start, if we don't want to bite off more than we can cook. Now I certainly don't have the space to host such a fete, but I have a car and can provide transportation to where we are going...wherever that is. I was reading a fw of the other boards, and they spend a lot of time deciding on which restaurant to meet in to discuss the dinner. Some cooks!! With three of us, I think we can pick a theme/nationality/particular issue, pick a night, place, who brings what, etc, etc, etc... as Yul Brenner would say. Get back to me you two!

[jd]

Thanks for the polite kick in the pants! I wasn't sure what we do from here.

I agree that we don't need a restaurant to figure this out, and restaurant eating doesn't go well with healthy eating for me!

The weekends would work better for me for our dinners, but during the week is not out of the question. I do have space here for 6-8 at the table. I'm game for pretty well anything food-wise, but I don't like really spicy food. Working from the current issue of CL may be a good idea. My SO is interested in eating (he doesn't cook much!)

I'll also try to come up with some 'ice-breaker' topics so that there are no awkward moments - although food will likely keep us going!

[vbs]

I'm interested in participating. I'm single and in Leaside but can easily go anywhere in metro Toronto. I like pretty much everything except shellfish (stong allergy). I'm delighted to see one of these being organized in Toronto.

[vbs]

I am looking forward to getting started too!
I'd be happy to host it, as my table can seat 8. But I have a very small kitchen, and its hard to have more than 2 people in it at a time.

Were you thinking of a pot luck type of evening (people cook and bring the cooked food, to heat up, to the host's place) or an actual group cooking session? Either way is fine with me if but if we are going the group cooking route my kitchen may be a bit too cosy.

Weekends are best for me - weeknights are somewhat hit and miss. What about the weekend of September 23?

I am happy to meet ahead of time but I'll defer to the group - if we can get things organized without pre-meeting, so much the better.

[jd]

We're off to a great start. The weekend of the 23rd is fine with me, so is the weekend of the 30th. Meeting before hand is fine, and I like the suggestion of drinks. I work at 401 and DVP, and live in Etobicoke, so pretty well anywhere to meet is fine. Any suggestions?

[cookrrr]

We are really getting somewhere!! Either weekend (Sept. 23 or 30 weekend) should be fine for me, too. So I guess we just need to know if Daniel is also available around then. Vbs, are you also free the weekend of the 30th, or is the weekend of the 23rd better for you?

So, shall we get acquainted over a drink and maybe some light munchies? What day (Sat./Sun.) and time is best for all of you?

I live and work in Willowdale (right near where you work, jd!) but am midtown and downtown quite often, so I'm flexible also.

As for place suggestions, do you prefer a place with easy highway access or with easy subway access? Either one is just fine with me!

Hope to hear from you all soon. Take care.


[This message has been edited by cookrrr (edited 09-12-2000).]

[cookrrr]

This is great! I'm eager to get going with starting this club. Sounds like we now have 4 "Cooking Light people" and maybe a few people accompanying. That should be enough for a start.

Do you think we should get together for a quick get-to-know-one-another drink or dinner somewhere before having our first real cooking dinner? If we do this, I agree that where we meet is not the issue. I don't want to get bogged down on that. It would just be a first step before getting to the really good part - cooking great meals! But it seems like you all may not want to bother with this step. Let me know.

I should mention that where I'm staying is not really suited for hosting anything right now. It's possible, but just barely ... I hope to move into a house next year and then can host dinner parties much more easily!

So - when are you all free for the first meeting? And where shall we have it? My September is looking not too bad right now, but October is booking up quickly. Tuesday nights are out, and I guess weekends are also better for me, but other weekdays are possible.

Take care, fellow Toronto-area cooks!

[This message has been edited by cookrrr (edited 09-11-2000).]

[vbs]

Unfortunately I'm not available the weekend of the 30th so if we can do the weekend of the 23rd that would be great.

Were you thinking of having our "pre" meeting this weekend? That works for me. I've forgotten now where everyone is located, but is somewhere in the High Park area convenient for everyone (Crown and Oyster?)? I'm happy to go farther north if that's more convenient for people (Movenpick at Bayview and York Mills?) I'm a bit fuzzy on places north of that, but have car will travel. Alternatively, we could meet at my place (Mount Pleasant/Eglinton) if that works for people.

Do we plan to work off the latest issue? I tend to cut recipes out and throw out the rest of the magazine, so I don't have any copies before that!

[cookrrr]

Originally posted by vbs:
Unfortunately I'm not available the weekend of the 30th so if we can do the weekend of the 23rd that would be great.

Sounds good to me!

Were you thinking of having our "pre" meeting this weekend? That works for me. I've forgotten now where everyone is located, but is somewhere in the High Park area convenient for everyone (Crown and Oyster?)? I'm happy to go farther north if that's more convenient for people (Movenpick at Bayview and York Mills?) I'm a bit fuzzy on places north of that, but have car will travel. Alternatively, we could meet at my place (Mount Pleasant/Eglinton) if that works for people.

I admit that I was not really thinking of the specifics. It should probably work for me, though, to have the pre-meeting this weekend and the first cooking event next weekend. Otherwise we can have the pre-meeting next weekend and our first cooking event in October, I guess. And any of the places you mentioned are great. Jd? Daniel? What do you think?!

Do we plan to work off the latest issue? I tend to cut recipes out and throw out the rest of the magazine, so I don't have any copies before that!

Latest issue sounds fine with me. It was much better than the July or August issues, in my opinion!

Talk to you soon.

[jd]

I've been out of town for a few days. It's great to see that we are still moving ahead. I'm available Sunday this weekend (17th), if anyone else is. High Park area is fine with me, how about the Crown and Oyster at 2 pm? I won't plan on showing up unless I hear back from one of you. Any other location is fine, too. If this doesn't work, we are all capable of electronic communication!

Next weekend for dinner is still good, should we plan on Saturday night, the 23rd? Current issue will be great, I haven't tried many from it. If you all don't mind, I don't plan on pre-making things to try them out - let's have a little fun!

[cookrrr]

Hmmm ... looks like it won't be this weekend. Hope to hear from you all soon and maybe next weekend will be a go. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[vbs]

I'm still game for next weekend. If we can organize it electronically, lets do it.

[cookrrr]

Jd, thanks for your message! Sorry Sunday didn't work out.

I also haven't tried much from the current issue, so that sounds good. Don't worry a bit about making things in advance to try them out. I won't be either!

Looks like there are some great pasta dishes in the Sept. issue and lots of other good things. Mmmmm... Maybe I should mention now that I don't eat red meat and that I don't cook poultry, but do eat it occasionally. Other than that I like pretty much everything!

So, is Sat. okay for everyone? And where should we have it? As I said, my place is possible but not good for hosting anything.

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[vbs]

Saturday the 23 is fine with me. We can have it at my place if you bear in mind my kitchen is pretty small. I am having problems with accessing the website (it comes up in Japanese!) so perhaps you can e-mail me directly at vseager@norigen.com in order to get me messages.

[Daniel]

Testing....

[Daniel]

Whew! I have been unable to post to the website for about a week. I spend time typing a very detailed message, only to find I can't post it. Anyway, it appears things are clipping along, and you are all getting on famously without me. I should add that I will be unable to come to dinner on the 23. I have a bit of a crazy work schedule at the moment: I am working Tues, Wed, and Thurs afternoons, Fri night, and Sat afternoons and weekends.(Sunday & Mondays off.) I hope we can all get together for the first dinner. As I think I mentioned, I have no room to host such a fete, but can pick someone up and drive to where we will meet. Glad to be back; please get back to me.

[jd]

Looks like we're all together again. Since Daniel is not available on Saturday, how is Sunday the 24th?

vbs, thanks for the hosting offer. I'll volunteer for next time (or if something comes up, let me know and I can host this time).

I'll start to look through the September issue again. From the thread, we should avoid shellfish and red meat, and light on the poultry. I don't like anything really spicy, but can handle a little. Any other restrictions or preferences that we should be aware of?

Should we each pick a course? I'm thinking appetizer/soup/salad, entre, side dish, dessert. That would cover the four of us. If we were culinary experts, we would likely try to coordinate tastes of dishes, but I'm up for some fun, and new and interesting tastes.

We should go off the BB to set location, time, and any other logistical details.
I'm really looking forward to getting this going!



[This message has been edited by jd (edited 09-24-2000).]

[vbs]

Sunday the 24th is fine with me too. I agree with going off the BB as I am having big trouble getting on the web site. I will take a look at this month's issue tonight too. I'm at vseager@norigen.com

[cookrrr]

Hi all,
Daniel! You're still around! Good to hear from you.
Well, guess what - Sunday the 24th looks good for me too. I am really looking forward to this.
By the way, if any of you come across recipes with beef that you would like to try, please don't not consider them on my account. I'm sure I will have enough to eat!
I will be on the road today so I will E-mail you guys tomorrow morning and maybe we can firm up the details. Cheers!

[This message has been edited by cookrrr (edited 09-19-2000).]

[Daniel]

Hello everyone, I have sad news. I can no longer make it the 24th. I know you all hate me now. I wouldn't dream of asking you to reschedule again, so please have fun with my blessings. Maybe if we talk beforehand, I can drop off a desert. Or I can bring and stay for appetizers. I am filming a commercial on Sunday night, and I don't know when it starts yet. But it's best to plan without me. Drat! I was so looking forward to this too. Get back to me if you need to at daniel_m@istar.ca. Ciao for now!

[cookrrr]

We had our first Supper Club event last month and it was lots of fun. Good food and great company! If anyone else is interested, we do have a bit more room in the T.O. Supper Club, so please post and let us know!

[lanie]

Hi - just found this site - via your post Cookr (?) so what do you peoples do and where do you do it - read most of the posts and doesn't seem like you can manage to get together too often - guess everyone busy - I live in Unionville which is a bit out but not really - do you cook dinners, go for drinks, I think you are all really youngins - and that's a great way to meet new people with similar interests - obviously wouldn't be at this site if we didn't! The one thing I love is to see Canadians here - and so right about not getting all the products mentioned on postings - although it's getting pretty good now - we have a store called the 'Village Grocer' exactly the same as Pusateri's so things are basically available here and I love that store - let me know about your club??? Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving - still trying to decide to barbie the bird or not! hahahaha

[cookrrr]

Hi Lanie!
Well, our club is brand new, but so far there are 3-5 of us. We live all around the city and the plan will likely be to visit one another and to cook some or most of the meal on site. We may also bring some dishes ready-made, depending on what they are and how much space there is in the kitchen. Last time we did things this way, and it worked out well. Like you said, it is a great way to get to know other Cooking Light enthusiasts in your city and to cook together.
We seem to be trying to meet about once a month, which is nice because you can make things from the current issue.
By the way, I know the area where you live quite well. Very nice!
If you decide that you are interested in joining us, just post here and let us know. Take care, and again, happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
cookrrr

[jd]

Lanie, welcome. I'm so glad cookrrr mentioned this thread in the introductions thread. Please post your email address and we can start to include you in our plans. We like to meet on Sundays and were working on Oct 22 or 29, but haven't found one that works for all, now working on November 5th. We have started by cooking from the current issue, so our next dinner will be from the October issue. This gives us a chance to see all the reviews on the BB!
Happy Turkey Day!

[Kathleen Geary]

Hi-I am so excited to see a supper club in Toronto. I've just moved here from the states and was hoping there would be a CL club in the city. Thought the chances were pretty slim so it was a great surprise to see that one had just been formed. I would love to join in if there is any room. I live in the Annex downtown but have a car so I am free to travel to different locations. My schedule is usually good on the weekends. I travel quite a bit during the week. I would love to here from you guys.

[cookrrr]

Kathleen,
What a nice surprise to hear from someone new! Where in the U.S. are you moving up here from? Hope you like it here. Anyway, as you can tell from this thread, we meet once a month or so (or that will hopefully be the plan - as you can tell we have only met once so far!).
If you are interested in joining, please do! I believe we will then have 6 confirmed participants, and possibly a seventh if Lanie chooses to join. I think that's a good maximum no. for the club - unless anyone else has any other ideas?
By the way, the next supper is tentatively planned for Sunday the 22nd. How is your schedule looking?
Hope to hear from you soon!
cookrrr

[jd]

Welcome, Kathleen! Great to have you aboard. It looks like we have the makings of a real party!
I'll start to include you on the emails of our specific plans. You've seen the general jist on the thread.
jd

[Kathleen Geary]

Hi Cookrrr and JD. I'm up here from California. Like the city a lot. My hardest adjustment will be the cold weather. Unfortunately I will be out of town on the 22nd but keep me updated anyway. I would love to join in. My email is gearyk@jwci.org. Talk to you soon.

[cookrrr]

Quick note: We are now planning our November event. Kathleen, hope you can make it!

[clee]

Hi there, I just come across this site and the supper club sounds very interesting. Is there any room for a newcomer? I live in Richmond Hill, but can easily travel to Metro Toronto areas. Weekends are usually good for me. Looking forwards to hear from you all. My email address is cclee@ipoline.com

[cookrrr]

Hi Clee!
I just E-mailed you some details about our club. Let us know if you are still interested.
cookrrr

[clee]

Hi cookrrr,
Thanks for the email message. I am still interested in joining. Please keep me posted.
clee