Loblaws Local Produce Workshop + Contest for $100 PC Giftcard
Michael Abramson is a local chef in Toronto who specializes in plant based dining. As a plant butcher, he runs a 100% vegan butcher shop called YamChops known for delicious non-meat alternatives like “Beet Burgers” and “No Pork Pulled Pork.” I had the opportunity to attend a local produce cooking workshop with Loblaws, where we learned about local Ontario produce and how to make some of YamChop’s creative plant based dishes. The event took place at the President’s Choice Cooking School inside the Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens.
A long dining table was set up with a variety of fresh and colorful local Ontario veggies that would be used in our plant based feast.
We split up into groups and were taught how to make Tomato Sushi and Smashed Fiesta Mini Potatoes.
The tomato sushi was a really fun recipe that uses skinned slices of tomato meat instead of tuna fish meat. We used PC® Flavour Burst Tomato of Yore Beefsteak Tomatoes for this meatless sushi creation. You can truly taste the difference in freshness and flavour when using quality local ingredients.
I struggled through parts of the workshop as my cooking skills were limited, but luckily we got to sit down and enjoy a fully prepared 5 course plant based feast. We started the meal with some perfectly crafted tomato sushi and smashed fiesta mini potatoes as appetizers.
A savoury corn and miso soup was a nice way to feature season PC® Amaize Sweet White Corn, which has a sweet, crisp crunch and tastes delicious raw too!
The most creative dish of the night was definitely the Watermelon Steak. They somehow turned juicy chunks of watermelon into a savoury dish. Large pieces of watermelon were pan fried and topped with basil-mint chimichurri to make this vegan steak.
We ended the meal with cauliflower chocolate pudding, a completely dairy free dessert that uses steamed cauliflower as a base. This plant based workshop helped me learn more about local Ontario produce and opened my eyes to the awesome flavour combinations found in plant based dining.
CONTEST
** THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED **
Enter below for your chance to win a $100 President’s Choice® Gift Card to try President’s Choice® local produce yourself!
HOW TO ENTER:
- Leave a comment below and share one reason you think supporting local growers is important & use the hashtag #welovefood
CONTEST DURATION:
- Contest starts on Friday, September 9th 12:00AM and ends on Saturday, September 17th at 12:00AM
- One lucky winner will be chosen on Saturday, September 17th and contacted via email
- If the winner does not respond, they forfeit the prize & a new winner will be picked