Chef Pilar Cabrera Arroyo to Cook in Toronto
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Posted by Mary Luz Mejia Aug 6, 2009 |
The sun-drenched valley city of Oaxaca, in the Mexican state of the same name, is considered to be the country’s culinary capital. Apart from being the land of seven moles, Oaxaca also boasts an impressive gastronomic repertoire. Working within the state’s rich and proud culinary heritage is one of Oaxaca City’s brightest lights in the food world, Pilar Cabrera Arroyo. This September 10-30, 2009, Pilar will be visiting Toronto, ON to share those well-preserved traditions with food enthusiasts throughout the GTA.
Pilar grew up in Oaxaca City surrounded by the state’s vast food history and ingredients- including chile dusted fried grasshoppers (chapulines) and pre-Hispanic dishes that tell the tales of ancient, native peoples. After completing a food engineering and nutrition degree, she worked in research and development for the food giant Herdez-McCormick before returning to her true passion- cooking. In 1994, she opened her own restaurant, the award-winning “La Olla” (or the Pot), featuring the produce of regional (when possible, organic) farmers who help make her Oaxacan cuisine a living work of art.
Pilar has also found a growing fan-base of intrigued foodies around the globe through her “Casa de los Sabores” (House of Flavours) cooking school where banana leaf wrapped tamales, rose petal sorbet and Oaxacan yellow mole have become oft-requested recipes. Oaxacan cuisine is a labour of love that requires attention, a deft hand, fine-tuned taste buds and old-world knowledge. Pilar learned the basics and the cuisine’s subtleties from her mother and grandmother.
Here’s what celebrated Chef Rick Bayless (of Chicago’s Frontera Grill and Topolobampo) has to say about Pilar: “I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in Mexican food to take advantage of any opportunity to learn from and experience the Oaxacan cuisine of Pilar Cabrera. She is one of the greats!” The New York Times and Bon Appetit magazine have echoed similar sentiments.
v Wednesday, September 16: Frida Restaurant & Bar – dinner tasting menu with owner/Chef Jose Hadad - www.fridarestaurant.ca
v Monday, September 21st: Dinner at FRANK at the Art Gallery of Ontario with Executive Chef Anne Yarymowich - http://www.ago.net/frank
v Tuesday, September 22: Cooking class at Nella Cucina Cooking School - for public and Women's Culinary Network Members: http://www.nellacucina.ca/cucina/event.html?Year=2009&Month=9
v Wednesday, September 23: Dinner at Veritas Local Fare with Food Network Celebrity Chef Brad Long - http://www.localfare.ca/
v Monday, September 28: Torito Tapas Bar- Pilar prepares a menu of “Botanas”- Mexico’s version of tapas- http://www.toritorestaurant.com/
v Tuesday, September 29: Multi-course dinner menu at The Chefs’ House operated by students of George Brown's Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts- www.thechefshouse.com
NOTE: To reserve your seat at any of the above-noted venues, please contact the location of your choice to make arrangements. And those who attend one of Pilar’s events will be able to participate in a raffle for a complimentary week’s accommodations in Oaxaca, to be awarded to two lucky couples.
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