This Toronto eatery is the world's first pop-up run by HIV+ chefs
June’s HIV+ Eatery is popping up in Toronto for two nights this November.
Billed as the “world’s first pop-up restaurant run by HIV positive chefs,” it’s a new initiative from Casey House that aims to “fight HIV/AIDS stigma with every bite.”
Manned by Toronto chef Matt Basile (Fidel Gastro’s, Lisa Marie) and a team of HIV-positive cooks, the evening promises to be “positively delicious” while also challenging misconceptions revealed by the Casey House Smash Stigma Study that found that:
- 39% of Canadians would not knowingly eat food prepared by a person who is HIV positive
- 37% of Canadians would not share food with a person who is HIV positive
- Only half of Canadians would knowingly share food with or eat food prepared by someone who is HIV positive.
Matt Barnes/Casey House
“The stigma around HIV and AIDS is still very real, isolating many patients across the city, the country and the globe,” said Casey House client Kenneth Poon in a press release. “I stand proud to be part of this powerful group of 14 HIV positive chefs to boldly break barriers and end the isolation that I have felt and others continue to feel. Through the compassionate care that I received at Casey House, I made it through those darkest days and I am here today, helping others who are living with HIV/AIDS.”
June’s HIV+ Eatery
When: November 7 and 8, 7 pm
Where: 1090 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: $125 per person