BUFFALO, N.Y. – “Chefs of Toronto,” produced by WNED-TV, will premiere Thursday, September 8 at 8 p.m. on the bi-national public television station.

The 80-minute food special celebrates the cuisine of Canada’s largest city, highlighting Toronto’s world-class chefs, restaurants and signature dishes.

“Toronto is a cosmopolitan city with a rich, culinary tradition, and chefs there are carving a niche in the world of fine dining,” said Producer Andy Grant.  “This program showcases the people and places that make Toronto an internationally renowned food scene.”

The program goes “into the kitchen” with 10 chefs as they prepare a dish or two while demonstrating their individual cooking styles.

Several dishes feature fresh, local foods or draw from Canadian traditions. Jason Bangerter roasts fresh cod from Nova Scotia and adds “very earthy flavors.”  Anne Yarymowich’s cream sauce features “good Canadian mustard grown out West.” Jamie Kennedy’s braised beef comes from his own farm. He pairs it with a gourmet version of poutine, a hearty fried potato dish with its roots in Quebec’s truckstops.

“When we choose our ingredients, we’re always choosing what’s in season, what’s available,” says Ted Corrado, whose salad features Asian greens from nearby Cookstown.

“They all had unique, interesting ideas,” said Grant, who spent about a month researching Toronto’s restaurants prior to selecting the program’s chefs, with input from food critics and “well-known foodies.”

The featured chefs and dishes are as follows:

Chefs/Restaurants                         Featured Dishes
Anthony Walsh/Canoe                 Quebec Foie Gras
Lorenzo Loseto/George               Steel-head Trout with Lentil Confetti and Apple Salad
Ted Corrado/c5                          Spot Prawn Salad
Royal Ontario Museum                 
Anne Yarymowich/                    Braised Rabbit in Mustard Sauce
FRANK at Art Gallery of Ontario     Apple Tarte Tatin
Grant Van Gameren/                  Duck Heart Tartare
The Black Hoof                            Smoked Sweetbreads with Truffled Rapini
David Lee/Nota Bene                   Pulled Rabbit Soffrito with Papardelle Pasta, Porcini Mushrooms and Pancetta
Jamie Kennedy/                         Braised JK Beef Poutine
Gilead Café and Bistro                 
Keith Froggett/ Scaramouche       Bacon Gnocchi Parisienne
Lora Kirk/Ruby Watchco               5-minute Hen Egg Salad with Applewood Smoked Bacon
Jason Bangerter/Luma               Roast Cod with Wild Mushrooms

WNED also is producing a DVD of the program (with bonus material) and a companion “Chefs of Toronto” cookbook with more than 50 recipes by the featured chefs. These will be offered as member thank you gifts, along with gift cards from the restaurants.

“Chefs of Toronto” was produced with support from Balderson (Parmalat Canada Inc.) and One King West Hotel & Residence.

The program continues WNED’s important tradition of showcasing the cultural and historical treasures of the Buffalo/Toronto region. Recent regional and national productions have included “Fort Niagara: The Struggle for a Continent” (2004), “Toronto’s Houses of Worship” (2005), “Niagara Falls” (2006), “Wineries of Canada’s Niagara Peninsula” (2007),“Wineries of Western New York and the Finger Lakes” (2007),“Remembering Crystal Beach Park” (2008) and “Our Town: Niagara Falls” (2011). Upcoming productions include “The War of 1812” (October 10 at 9 p.m. on PBS) and “Hockey: More Than a Game” (December 2011 on WNED-TV).

For information about other WNED-related events, initiatives and news, please contact:
Megan M. Wagner
Director of Corporate Communications
716.845.7155 • mwagner@wned.org