2016 Holiday Gift Guide: 11 Toronto food experiences to give

Shopping for a Toronto foodie that already has everything?

What do you buy someone with discerning tastes and an already enviable inventory of kitchen gadgets and pantry goods?

A once-in-lifetime dining experience, or perhaps a class where they can acquire some new skills might just fit the bill. Not to mention the recipient might need to invite a plus one – so really it’s like giving a gift to yourself!

Check out this collection of experiential gifts for Toronto foodies – they might be a little hard to wrap, but they’re be especially fun to receive.

Kris Kringle Krawl with Foodies on Foot

Toronto/Shutterstock

The Christmas edition of this Toronto food tour will take transit across the city to spread cheer. Stops on route include specialty food stores, cafes, and restaurants where participants can cross off a few gifts on their list while also indulging in sweet and savoury treats along the way.  

Price: $74.99 plus transportation (if required), includes guided tour and all tastings.

Nutcracker High Tea at the Shangri-la

Shangri-La Hotel

This festive holiday tradition is offered from 2 pm to 5 pm, now until the end of the year. On the menu, finger sandwiches featuring spiced duck with apple preserve on ancient grains, and roasted turkey with sage and cranberry pesto on an artisanal loaf, as well as truffled quiche, a manchego wreath, warm scones, tea cakes, gingerbread and more.

Price: $61 per person

Bespoke Dining with Chef & Somm

Chef & Somm/Facebook

Bring Toronto’s only personal chef and sommelier service into your home to create a one of a kind multi-course menu complete with wine pairings.

Price: Calculated per person based on menu + flat day-rate for chef and sommelier rates based on BYOB or sourced on guest’s behalf.

Membership to Toronto’s Temperance Society

Toronto Temperance Society/Facebook

The perfect gift for cocktail aficionados on your list, membership to this second floor speakeasy in Little Italy offers members and their guests access to one of the finest selection of spirits and alcohol-fueled minglings in Toronto.

Price: Membership is available now for $25 monthly

Holiday Baking at Le Dolci

Le Dolci Cupcakes & Cakes/Facebook

Get hands on and take home edible creations when you enlist in festive baking classes at this Dundas West bake shop and culinary classroom. On the schedule now, workshops focused on winter tarts, gingerbread decorating for kids, holiday cookies, yule logs, and more.

Mystical Landscapes at The AGO

AGO

Treat someone to an evening of fine art and fine food with a tour of AGO exhibition, Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh and more followed by a three-course prix-fixe menu from FRANK restaurant. Inspired by the exhibition, the prix-fixe includes French favourites including beef cheek bourguignon, aligot potatoes, French onion soup, and trout meunière.

Price: Admission to the exhibition is $25 for adult non-members. Lunch is priced at $35, dinner is priced at $45.

Book the Butcher’s Table at Côte de Bœuf

Côte de Bœuf/Facebook

Dine in the back of this Ossington butcher shop where the table menu is available for groups of 6 to 8, Wednesdays through Sundays. While the menu is always in flux, expect an easy selection of oysters, charcuterie, French family-style entrees and a show-stopping cote de boeuf served with pommes sauté, and seasonal veg.

Price: $85 per person plus drinks. Corkage available for $35 per bottle.

Kamayan – A Hand-to-Mouth Dinner at Platito

U-Feast

Knife Skills at The Cookery

Cookery/Facebook

This two-hour workshop takes place monthly and is meant to help foodies and aspiring cooks sharpen their most basic skills. Get ready to slice, dice and julienne, then take advantage of special student prices on knives in store.

Price: $79

The ultimate SPAcation with Boulud Breakfast at the Four Seasons

Café Boulud Toronto & d|bar/Facebook

Who wouldn’t want to spend a night in the lap of luxury at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto? This package is the ultimate indulgence and comes complete with an overnight stay, $200 spa credit and breakfast for two at Café Boulud.

Price: Rates start at $625

Bitters, Syrups and Infusions Workshop at Pitchfork Company

Pitchfork Company/Facebook