Viva Italia Cucina Gala Tasting Reception

Chef Rob Gentile of Buca explains his methods. 

Thursday evenings can be a hit and miss. Your night depends on what you had for dinner, and a properly lined stomach is the only way to go! We like to think ourselves as sensible people, so before we hit the town, we joined staff and students of The Chef School, George Brown College for their event, Viva Italia! Cucina, an annual Italian culinary festival. Featuring students in their Post-Graduate Italian Culinary Arts Program, The Chef's House also hosted leading Italian Chefs from Italy and Ontario, such as Chef Fabio Bondi of The Local Kitchen and Chef Rob Gentile of Buca.

We really enjoyed the offerings. There was outstanding food, great wine and beer selections, and strong coffee to cap the night. We'd like to note our favorites were Buca's delicate sliced ox hearts and The Local Kitchen's tender octopus on potato and crustini. 

However, the one thing that seals the deal with Italian cuisine has to be the dessert. The crowning glory, competing with fresh seafood, risotto, gourmet pizzas, coffee and gelato, was none other than the decadent pastries made by the students of The Chef School. We went back for five rounds of the Tiramisu, and do not get me started on how many cannolis. 

Well done! Congratulations to the graduating class. Toronto is all the better for more chefs and people who appreciate the fine art of good wine, food and company.