The 2009 Picnic at the Brickworks held some unexpectedly delicious surprises this year. With over one thousand people in attendance and only in its third year, the Slow Food Toronto fundraiser, in partnership with Evergreen, is fast becoming the “go-to” food event in the city. This year’s theme- “Saving Diversity” gave the day’s offerings a global twist. From Africa to Latin America, several countries were represented, even by restaurateurs and chefs who normally don’t cook in their chosen culinary traditions for the day.

Latin for a Day

Parkdale’s new Local Kitchen and Wine Bar featured cochinita tacos (with Fred De Martines’ Tamworth pork) with Ontario pickled red onions. And while Fabio Bondi and Michael Sangregorio are Italian through and through, Bondi’s wife is Mexican, so he had a leg up on getting the flavours of the south down pat. Jason Bangerter and the boys at Canoe provided an Argentinean plate that was for the hardcore meatatarian. From steak tartare to Argentine style meat-filled mini-empanadas and “parillada” (grilled meat)- the Oliver and Bonacini gang did a fine job channeling any gaucho’s favourite eats.