iYellow Wine Club - Niagara Wine Country Tour - By Fabulous Faith

 The iYellow Wine Club boasts thousands of members; located in Toronto, iYellow throws the hottest events sampling the most delicious wines.  Throughout the year they travel throughout Ontario’s wine country tasting and experiencing our best wineries.  These tours included chartered bus, a delicious lunch and all the wine you can drink!  On June 20^th 2015, I was lucky enough to be a part of their Niagara Wine Country experience.

I woke up that morning grumpy as my “date” had cancelled due to a family emergency.  As a Chef I am used to working weekends yet I am totally spoiled in that my hair, make up and pretty clothes are not usually required for work. But on this Saturday morning I left my kitchen around 7 and headed back home to re-shower and get dressed up. Feeling pretty, I headed off for coffee and a sugary treat to pad my tummy as the invite I received said to eat breakfast in advance of arrival as we would be commencing an adventure to Niagara at 11am. 

I arrived downtown shortly later to see workers busily setting up for Toronto’s annual MMVA festival taking place that evening. I parked and wandered over to the meeting place on Queen West feeling drained and sucking back my coffee as quickly as possible.  As I turned the corner I saw friendly faces with iYellow Club t-shirts holding cute yellow gift bags filled with info about our destinations and snacks for the ride to Niagara.  I boarded the bus where I noticed lots of couples, families and groups of friends chatting and giggling, so as an introvert I headed towards the back of the bus to sit alone. 

As these wine-day-retreat-tours are quite popular my solo seat was requested by the gorgeous host Angela Aeillo and I was moved next to be social next to a charming man named John. Coincidentally his family was from the same town as mine on the east coast and he also worked in Africa and knew plenty about African cuisine so we had plenty to chat about.  He was brought on the tour by two other beautiful and entertaining ladies who were iYellow Club veterans and therefore, were familiar with adventures like these.  On the ride up we were served a delicious Shiraz Rose and champagne cupcakes which along with the pleasant conversation made the hour long commute seem like only moments.

Fabulous Faith at Rockway Glen Golf Course & Winery

Our first stop was a combination of golfing lessons and a wine tasting in the Museum cellar of Rockway Glen Golf Course and Winery.  We sampled several lovely wines and then ventured out into the sunshine where we were taught both putting and driving on the scenic golf course.  It was an excellent bonding experience for the group as novice golfers we laughed at our stumbling and could chalk-up any faults to the wine we had just enjoyed.  After a little while we piled back onto the bus and headed a short distance to our next destination chatting of our time golfing.

Fabulous Faith in Jackson Triggs Cellar

The second stop was at a much the much larger complex of Jackson Triggs where we were immediately lead into their ginormous cellar packed with barrels and reminiscent of Europe.  We were seated to our choice of wine and a buffet style lunch of pulled pork sandwiches with numerous condiments and local mixed green salad with in-house red wine vinaigrette.  After lunch I slid out from my seat and slipped into the kitchen to chat with the chef who filled me in on his garden out front (he used his own rhubarb for dessert!) and the local farmers who provided his ingredients.  Not sure if he could see how jealous I was of this (LOL) but for Chef’s this is the ultimate luxury and for “eaters” basically dream come true.  Lastly he utilized the rhubarb from the garden and served up an exquisite strawberry-rhubarb tart.  After the wine and food we were taken along for a tour of the facility. 

Fabulous Faith with the Chef at Jackson Triggs

As a wine lover it was very interesting to take in the steps from grape to awesome and learning about the processes that create the heavenly beverage we all know and love in such a hands-on way.  We finished off with a tour of the garden and had a few more samples and picked up some bottles to take home. 

Fabulous Faith at Jackson Triggs Winery

Up next we were in for a surprise a tour of the trendy hipster Oath House Brewery!  Just around the corner, craft beer was been produced in mass quantities and we were brought into the barn like brewery and shown the processes before being able to taste some of their beers. I don’t generally enjoy craft beer, the strong flavours are overwhelming to my palate but the rich, savoury flavour of their dark ale had me thinking of meat pairings and reminded of summer nights out on the patio downtown. A must try!

Fabulous Faith  at Oath House Brewery

Our final stop was at Vineland Estates Winery which was closed but the iYellow Club had the “hook-up” so we got a VIP private tour.  As the venue is beautiful we arrived to find a wedding take place which kind of adds a pleasant feel, maybe love was in the air? Possibly I drank too much wine at this point or a mixture of both hoping for the air-love though. 

Fabulous Faith at Vineland Estates Winery

We walked through production and down a large tunnel to find their private cellar (on a personal note if you are reading this please call me about that bottle xoxoxo) featuring a collection of beautiful bottles from decades past sat nestled in a brick cove, visually something out of a romance movie (although wine is romance in itself though.) After my tour (ok total bottle worship) we got more delicious wine and cheese and I pouted to myself about not being able to get the original bottle.  I stepped out into the vineyard and stared out into the forest; it was quiet no cars, no street lights, no neighbours and enjoyed a peaceful moment to myself.  In the city or really just in the hectic lives we create for ourselves there are too few of these moments so for this alone I am grateful for the experience. 

The ride home passed in a flash and before I knew it I was saying goodbye, jumping into my car and heading back home to my frenzied life.  An experience like this is kind of what the soul needs, new friends, great wine, great food and the opportunity to experience good energy with like-minded individuals.  Everyone who goes to an iYellow event comes out to have fun, to let loose and to try something new. So if this sounds like something you would like to do iYellow Wine Club is definitely for you.

For more information about upcoming tours or iYellow’s amazing wine school visit:

http://iyellowwineclub.com/ 

Fabulous Faith teaches Healthy Snacks at ATP Morningstar

Fabulous Faith taught the students how to make guacamole, hummos & nachos!

Fabulous Faith and her awesome students

Fabulous Faith

The Almighty Veganwich - A Vegan Sandwich Recipe Created by Fabulous Faith

Ingredients:

2 slices Sha Sha Bakery Co. Ezekiel Bread
3 oz. (85 g) Grilled Zucchini
2 Tbsp (28 g/1 oz)  Roasted Red Pepper
2 Tbsp (28 g/1 oz)  Classic Hummos
2 Tbsp (28 g/1 oz) Red Onion Sliced (Optional)

Directions:

Toast Sha Sha Bakery Co. Ezekiel Bread until lightly golden

Spread 1 tablespoon on Hummos on each side

Top with pepper, zucchini and red onion

The Almighty Veganwich - A Vegan Sandwich Recipe on Sha Sha Bakery Co. Ezekiel Bread.

Juice Cleanse Toronto

Summer body not ready for Summer? :( Turn that frown upside down as Fabulous Faith's Juice Cleanse is back! Lose weight and purge yucky toxins in only 5 Days!

This special Juice based Cleanse has been designed using high quality all natural products like: Chia, Spirulina, Flax Seed, Green Tea & so much more.

Fabulous Faith generally only provides this cleanse to her Celebrity clientele in preparation for photo-shoots, commercials, movies & other work functions.  But for a limited time it's available to the general public and results are 100% guaranteed!

Priced at only $300 including delivery to your home or office.  Sign-up today to join the next cleanse and receive these high powered fresh juices, smoothies, teas, low-carb snacks and salads!  This is a Juice Cleanse Like no other!

Cleanse Schedule:
Day 1 & 2 (Liquid Only)
Day 3 - Liquids & Fab Faith Cleanse Trail Mix
Day 4 - Liquids, Trail Mix, Snack Salad & Entree Salad
Day 5 - Liquids, Trail Mix, Snack Salad & Entree Salad

Here is a photo of the Juice Cleanse Day 1 & 2!

Toronto Juice Cleanse

**Delivery is available throughout the GTA

Barsa Taberna Toronto Review - Fabulous Faith

I have been meaning to attend Barsa Taberna for quite some time now.  Their social media photos of exotic flavourful tapas European atmosphere in downtown Toronto constantly luring me.  My schedule finally freed up and I needed some one-on-one time with my teenager so yesterday was the lucky day.

I am as most Torontonians, familiar with the neighbourhood, located just next to St. Lawrence market off Esplanade in old Toronto. Originally founded in the late seventeen hundreds it lends perfectly to the design of the restaurant that acclimatizes you to the culture and atmosphere of Barcelona.

The interior is very contemporary while the feeling is warm, the original stonework and wooden beams have been reverted back to the original time period and fused with Spanish design of the same age.  The décor is suggestive of Picasso, spectacular and authentic to the Spanish concept.  Essentially you are stepping into Spain for the evening and visiting a luxury Tapas bar without having to leave the city, these escapes are something I look for all of the time, mini-vacations from the day-to-day routine help me to be creative.

Now on-to the food, I started out with Market ceviche a beautiful plate painted with charred eggplant topped with Nikkei Tigers Milk, Piquillo slaw and crunchy puffed Wild rice.  The flavours and textures are perfect, there were also house made pickled pearl onions that might have been the best savoury pickle I have ever tried.  The portion is very generous, enough for a light lunch or for two or three guests.

Next up we had the Pan Con Tomate, a beautiful platter featuring black garlic, avocado mousse and vine ripened tomatoes along with a variety of tasty chips including Thuet, sourdough and delicious “Barsa Chips” which are light and crispy spice infused sensations.

Very interesting up next was the Brassicas Salad presenting their 62 degree egg adorned with old-fashioned mustard, kimchi, cabbage slaw and broccoli puree.  It’s like Spanish luxury version of the ever popular Korean Bim bo bap with a beautiful modern presentation. Upon contact, the egg oozes out delicious goodness and creamy succulence over the accompaniments elevating the flavour profile and soothing your palate.

While I enjoyed the salad, the crispy bass arrived and my daughters eyes brightened she loved the burnt cucumber aioli although I said it was cream sauce (side note: all parents should try to relate menu items to ones that are familiar to their kids! Works every time!) I was able to grab a bite with the carrot slaw and the fish was sweet, moist and tender while the Banyuls vinegar highlighted the delicate flavours. Unfortunately it disappeared to quickly for me to photograph so you will have to attend yourself ;)

From the hot menu we tried the BBQ Ribs, the plate started with a light salsa verde beneath a crispy house made corn and bean pupusa topped with soft juicy ribs and a mandarin miso glaze balanced with acidic house made sauerkraut .  Also delicious and totally authentic! Accompanied by the super flavourful Patates Bravas, crispy and savoury flavour packed nuggets of potatoes drizzled with chorizo aioli and bravas sauce.  Just these potatoes alone will have me coming back over and over again!  

We had a sharing platter for dessert, the sweet Tapas for two.  Which not only featured my daughter’s favorite brown sugar squares but also the best mango sherbet I have ever tried!   

Barsa Taberna is a gem in downtown Toronto, an innovative step out of the metropolis and into the laid back European lifestyle we all envy.  For those who crave flavour, spice and the exotic, Barsa Taberna is most certainly a must try!

Fabulous Faith at Barsa Tabera

**Special thank you to Aras for the invitation

Good Food for Good - Eat 2 Feed TO - Fabulous Faith

On May 1^st 2015, Fabulous Faith had the pleasure of attending the socially good dining series, Eat 2 Feed T.O. hosted by Good Food for Good; a Toronto based social enterprise dedicated to making a difference one meal at a time.

You arrive to Historic Montgomery`s Inn in old Etobicoke and enter into a large dining room with marvelous millwork and a large wood burning fireplace.  A stunning large grand piano is off to one side where a beautiful woman sits playing soft music.  You are taken to your seat to find Neal Brothers Pink Himalayan kettle chips and immediately offered your choice of chilled local Southbrook Wines.  It is easy to start up conversations with your neighbour as chatting about this good cause and the benefits to the community, the awesome food or the beautiful intimate environment.

The food is fusion, 3 courses of Mexican / Indian / Canadian awesomeness.  As this takes place in Toronto, our diverse backgrounds and love of healthy choices are well suited to the options of chicken or vegan.  So the ambiance is set, great people out to support a great cause, a beautiful intimate atmosphere and now of course the lovely menu.

The first course options were Oaxaca Arbol Mexican Sliders (Vegan) or Endive Chicken Tacos.  Both plates featured three large bites of dramatic spice and texture, exciting your palate while stimulating your senses.  The salad course was adorned with fresh berries and sunflower seeds offering a sweet break to your palate. 

Then along came the main, first for the meat eaters; Uber tender Chicken Tikka Skewers with curried coconut basmati rice sauced to be with a light coriander-mint aioli and spicy Vindaloo roasted squash was by far the highlight of the night.  The flavours of India filled my mouth, I especially enjoyed the Vindaloo squash a sweet savoury revelation of aromas filled my mouth and paired perfectly with the Southbrook Rose.  The vegan option was an eye-catching Coconut Curry Quinoa Bowl topped with sweet potato, cauliflower, chick peas and served with a side of Tikka Masala potatoes.  For the vegan guests this menu was especially thoughtful as vegan food can be rather bland and uninspired.

Finally :) there was dessert!  The Historic Syllabub and original dessert from the Officer`s Kitchen was executed perfectly.  The cream, wine and lemons a frothy mousse that coated your tongue and cleansed away the exotic flavours of the evening leaving your mouth refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of your Friday evening.

Don`t let me forget the best part!  All profits are donated to Food Share to help deliver healthy food and food education in Toronto!  A dinner out for a great cause!

So now that you are ready to go… The next dates are July 3^rd, September 4^th and November 6^th 2015!

For more information on this hot destination for Toronto Foodies and Philanthropists please visit:  http://goodfoodforgood.ca/eat2feedto/ 

Fabulous Faith at Good Food For Good's - Eat 2 Feed TO

Spring Chick Pea Salad Recipe - Fabulous Faith

Fabulous Faith's Spring Chick Pea Salad Recipe

Medieval Times Toronto - Fabulous Faith News

As my daughters and I approached we were immediately seduced by the smell of roast chicken and garlic that perfumed the grounds of Toronto’s Exhibition place.  

We climbed the stairs and entered into the beautifully decorated lobby filled with eager guests and collected our black and white crowns.  On route to the stadium we passed through the gift shop, ornamented in a medieval theme with archaic dark colours and high ceilings.  

As we entered the staffs were all dressed in costume and busily serving beverages to the already packed house.  We made our way down the stairs guided by our wench and arrived at our table decorated with medieval place settings and took our seats.  The theatre style tournament began as soon as our drinks were served and we were treated to show horses performing tricks while enjoying our appetizers.

I was surprised that my generally picky-eaters loved food!  The soup, lightly seasoned baked chicken and buttery corn on the cob are perfectly kid-friendly and the buttery tart and coffee at the end is exactly the kick us parents need to withstand the drive home with your excitement filled bunch. 

The best part about eating at Medieval Times is the experience and taking that “step back in time” so many stories can be shared and lessons can be learned about how people ate were entertained before technology.  Stadium tournaments were the TVs for kids back then and it’s always a great idea to take a break and see some live action. Also super fun for my daughters was skipping the cutlery and eating with your hands medieval style.  My family frequents exotic South Asian and African restaurants so we are definitely a “hands-on” bunch.

 

Fabulous Faith at Medieval Times

If you’re looking to perk up that family dinner out you should certainly visit a Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. With locations across North America the castle of your dreams is closer and way more affordable than you think!

Special Thank You To Medieval Times Toronto!