23 Toronto food events worth checking out in January

The new year is here! And, while the weather outside is still frightful, there’s no excuse to hibernate with so many delicious food events on the calendar.

From Winterlicious to Robert Burns Day and more, here are all the food events on in Toronto this January.

Ramen Heads

Tour the best noodle houses, learn secrets, recipes, and insights with Osamu Tomita, one of the most revered ramen chefs in Japan, during this ramen-centric screening that’ll leave viewers with an insatiable craving and new appreciation for this delicious dish.

When: January 3, 8:45 pm; January 4, 4 pm and 6:30 pm; January 11, 9:30 pm
Where: Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Price: $11.50

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Ukrainian Christmas Buffet

The historic Toronto inn sets a festive scene featuring “glorious Christmas decorations and wood-burning fireplaces,” carollers singing Ukrainian Christmas songs, and a Christmas buffet featuring a selection of traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes this January.

When: January 7, 2018, lunch served 11:30 am to 3 pm; dinner served 5:30 pm to 9 pm
Where: Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto
Price: $40.95 per person; $20.95 for children 6 to 11 years; free for children 5 and under

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Mega Thai Paitan Ramen Challenge

The Japanese Noodle House challenges ambitious eaters to devour a bowl of creamy chicken and coconut broth loaded with eight orders of pork belly, three orders of pork shoulder, three orders of thick noodles, bean sprouts, fried onions, and shredded red pepper. Do it in 15 minutes or less and the $35 bowl is FREE!

When: January 9, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Kinton Ramen, 51 Baldwin Street, Toronto
Price: $35 if you can’t finish within 15 minutes.

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Historic Beer Dinner

A four-course menu featuring Ontario-grown ingredients along with four recreated beer styles dating back over 100 years from Toronto’s Great Lakes Brewery.

When: January 10, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Maple Leaf Tavern, 955 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Price: $95

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Pierogi Me! Pop-Up

Dumplings and fresh craft beer are the big draw at this mid-January pop-up event.

When: January 12, 4 pm to 9 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.

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Dipped Donut Pop-Up

Delicious donut creations and fresh craft beer are on offer at this afternoon event in Toronto’s east end.

When: January 14, noon to 4 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.

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Céilí Cottage Winter Supper

Guinness Book of World Records’ fastest oyster shucker and proud owner of The Céilí Cottage, Patrick McMurray hosts this winter feast featuring a menu that includes steamed mussels and Malpeque oysters, lobster with whiskey cream and asparagus, and more.

When: January 18, 7 pm
Where: Céilí Cottage, 1301 Queen Street East, Toronto
Price: $70

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Table Setters Beer Dinner

Stock in Trade Butcher and Kitchen partners with the east end brewery for the first edition of this beer dinner series promising a four-course menu expertly paired with the house brews, guided beer tastings, and a brewery tour.

When: January 18, 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Price: $75, tickets go on sale January 14

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2018 Small Ball Mini Cask Fest

Left Field Brewery’s inaugural mini cask festival will showcase six unique cask beers, Steambox Dumplings, and an exclusive 5 oz. collector’s glass (while supplies last).

When: January 20, 11 am to 9 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.

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Dinner with Chef Scott Pickett at Canoe

A post shared by Canoe Restaurant (@canoerestaurant) on Dec 27, 2017 at 12:55pm PST

Chef Scott Pickett joins Chef John Horne and Ron McKinlay in the kitchen to collaborate on this six-course tasting menu “featuring a diverse mix of local and seasonal ingredients.” Dinner is preceded by a cocktail reception.

When: January 20 and 21, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: Canoe, 66 Wellington Street West, Toronto
Price: $150

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The Persian Table

Sonbol Zand and Shirin Tavasoli host this supper club featuring culinary traditions from Iran. On the menu, doogh, a savoury yogurt drink, Bademjoon Kebab, stuffed eggplant, Koofte Ghelgheli, lamb meatballs with pistachios, and more.

When: January 20, 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Where: The Depanneur, 1033 College Street, Toronto
Price: $50

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Finnish Meat Pies by Markus Raty

This drop-in dinner features Helsinki street food fave: deep-fried handheld pies stuffed with savoury beef and rice.

When: January 25, 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: The Depanneur, 1033 College Street, Toronto
Price: From $10

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Robert Burns Day

Scotch nosings, the address to the haggis, bagpipes and more! Here’s a round-up of where to celebrate the Scotish poet and cultural icon here in Toronto.

When: January 25
Where: Venues across Toronto.

Winterlicious 2018

Toronto’s biannual prix fixe promotion returns this winter from January 26 to February 8, 2018 and in addition to the special menus at restaurants across the city, Winterlicious has also released the line-up for its Culinary Events Series.

When: January 26 to February 8
Where: Restaurants across Toronto

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Food, Art & Nature

Part of the Winterlicious culinary even series, this 10-course tasting experience is served up in a “forest-like” dining room and promises demonstrations and interactive elements along with dinner.

When: January 26, 7 pm
Where: Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Price: $100

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Savour St. Lawrence Market

Tour the Market with a glass of sparkling wine in hand and enjoy tastings from three Market merchants before partaking in a four-course demo and dine experience that features “the bounty of the Market paired with local Ontario wines.”

When: January 26 and 27; February 2, 3 and 5
Where: St. Lawrence Market, 93-95 Front Street East, Toronto
Price: $100

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High Tea at Casa Loma

Channel the Edwardian era over teas and a tiered cake stand topped with mini pastries, scones, croissants, strawberries and cream, crumpets, and tea sandwiches.

When: January 27 and 28, 11 am to 5 pm; February 3 and 4, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Price: $40

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The Art of Italian Breads

This interactive cooking experience led by Executive Chef Saverio Macri covers the art of Italian doughs and bread. Guests will prepare their own meal including focaccia, woodstove pizzas and crostini and more served with a chocolate baci bomb for dessert, and wine pairings per course.

When: January 31, 7 pm and 9 pm
Where: Cibo Wine Bar, 133 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto
Price: $65

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Tunisian Lamb Shank Tagine

Lamb Tagine is the star at this supper club hosted by Dali Chehimi but also on the menu, look forward to Doight de Fatma, Tunisian-style spring rolls, Samsa, phyllo baklava, and more.

When: January 27, 7:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: The Depanneur, 1033 College Street, Toronto
Price: $50.

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Classic Cocktail Tasting

Discover the classics! Toronto Common hosts this cocktail tasting series inside the restaurant and bar at The Beverley Hotel. This edition covers Old Fashioneds, Sidecars
Aviation, and Negroni along with charcuterie and cheese for snacking.

When: January 28, 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Do Not Disturb, 335 Queen Street West, Toronto
Price: $25

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Phancy Food Brunch Pop-Up

Brunch at the brewery! Start your day right with beer-infused snack menu of brunch foods paired with Left Field brews.

When: January 28, 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Left Field Brewery, 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.

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Indigenous Feast

Three Sister Soup, squash and cranberry bannock, braised caribou, and more are on the menu at this communal feast hosted by Chef Joseph Shawana as he celebrates his indigenous heritage on a multi-course menu.

When: January 30, 7 pm
Where: Ku-Kum Kitchen, 581 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Toronto
Price: $75

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Dinner with the Mackenzies

This unique dining and theatrical experience is set inside the 1860s home of William Lyon Mackenzie and his wife Isabel. The intimate event includes period music and four-course Victorian inspired meal, as well as the opportunity for participants to interact with actors.

When: January 31 and February 1, 2 and 3
Where: The Mackenzie House, 82 Bond Street, Toronto
Price: $105

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See also

• Mega Ramen: Can you handle Toronto's latest food challenge?
• The most anticipated Toronto restaurant openings for 2018
• You can now enjoy All-You-Can-Eat dim sum and sushi at this new Toronto restaurant