News & Highlights

FROM THE HILLS OF TUSCANY

November 10, 2006

Wednesday November 22 at Great Cooks

Join us as we welcome cookbook author Susan McKenna Grant to Great Cooks for an evening of Tuscan cooking as she highlights recipes from her recently published cookbook. This will be a combination demonstration and hands on cooking class.

Piano, Piano, Pieno is a cookbook from the heart of Italy, where the pace of life moves to an ancient rhythm. The title means "Slowly, Slowly, Full" —Piano, Piano, Pieno embraces a philosophy of cooking that emphasizes simple, seasonal and local ingredients, prepared with time-honored methods and enjoyed at the table with convivial company.

New groundbreaking reality television show

January 6, 2006

Slim Down TV, which promotes holistic approach to weight-loss, features a variety of fitness, nutrition and food experts including some of Toronto's most celebrated chefs, Esther Benaim and Maggie McKeown of Great Cooks, David Lee of Splendido, Lynn Crawford of Truffles in the Four Seasons Hotel and JP Challet of the Fifth.

The show is hosted by Canadian media personality Lisa Rogers, formerly the host of Flare TV and a regular on Cityline. The program showcases how a combination of exercise, healthy eating, lifestyle modifications and Jamieson's natural supplements results in safe, permanent weight-loss. "We follow the lives of real people in their journey to achieve maximum weight loss results - the show is really one of a kind," said Edwards.

Great Cooks on Eight

December 15, 2004

Esther and Maggie are pleased and excited to announce the expansion and creation of their latest culinary center, Great Cooks on Eight. Now open, Great Cooks on Eight is Toronto's leading Culinary Center and one of the largest in Canada. Housed on the Eighth floor of the Bay Queen Street, the new location will be equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen studio able to accommodate groups of up to 100. Great Cooks on Eight will continue to offer: an informative and interesting array of both demonstration and hands on cooking classes by celebrity and resident chefs; casual dining in a stylish, modern and warm environment; great gourmet food for take out and exclusive blended teas available for retail and afternoon tea. A new addition to Great Cooks will be the opportunity for customers to begin their evening with drinks and teasers while taking in the magnificent view of both old and new city halls.

NEW Festive Issue of Belle Magazine

November 5, 2004

Look for the latest Festive issue of Belle, The Bay's nationwide magazine, which includes a number of recipes by Great Cooks and the Tea Spot. Some of these are also listed in the recipe section of our web site such as; Tian a la Provencal, Tea Spot Fruits of the Forest Champagne Cocktail or Crab, Red Pepper and Leek Torta or Side of Salmon with Pickled Ginger Remoulade.

Check out our "Recipes" section for details

As part of the Spirit of Hospitality Festival, we present

November 1, 2004

COOK WITH GREAT COOKS!
“New World Flavours”

Toronto, Canada
Wednesday November 10, 2004
5:30 p.m.
$150 per person

A star-studded line up of guest chefs, will head up this one-of-a-kind culinary event hosted by Great Cooks and the Tea Spot, winner of The Toronto Star Eaters’ Choice Award Best Cooking Class.

This event will be held in its state-of-the-art kitchen in the Wolf/Sub-Zero showroom. Take part in the evening as you bid for the opportunity to cook with your favourite chef. As part of a team, led by one of the renowned chefs, you will prepare one of the courses that will be part of the extraordinary feast enjoyed by everyone participating. We are very happy to have Vincor participate as our wine sponsor for this unforgettable evening.

For more information on the festival, please visit www.spiritofhospitality.com

Best Cooking Class

May 26, 2004

Great Cooks Wins Toronto Star Eaters’ Choice Award

Great Cooks and the T Spot, a subterranean spot in the downtown Bay, is this year's clear favourite. Run by Esther Benaim and Maggie McKeown, this stylish school offers cooking classes and a loose-leaf tea shop.

But let two of its customers do the heavy persuading: "Esther and Maggie are the most professional chef/instructors I have ever met and dealt with," says reader Emily Heung in her nomination.

"They are friendly, professional and knowledgeable about everything when it comes to food. Their staff are the same." Heung took a class by Surreal Gourmet television star Bob Blumer and remembers the "comfortable feeling in the room like everyone already knew each other" and the fact "you never had to ask for anything because it was so well executed and organized."

Sharon O'Meara also nominates Great Cooks, noting she has taken a couple of dozen classes at schools in Toronto and Atlanta, and has gone on cooking vacations in France and Italy.

She says registration was easy and smooth, there was an array of classes to choose from, the costs were reasonable, the owners/staff were efficient and helpful, the seating allowed close viewing and participation, the kitchen was well-equipped, the tastings were ample and the instructor (Daniel Jalovec, owner of the Juniper Grill and Wine Bar in Orangeville) was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. O'Meara's only complaint? No one followed up for an opinion on the class or to provide future class schedules. Customers — they're your biggest fans and toughest critics.

The Pyramid Pouch is here!

November 3, 2003

New to Canada

This unique, translucent triangular tea bag, is a specially-designed nylon tea bag that allows the full essence and flavour of whole leaf tea to blossom in a cup and for the tea drinker to see it happen. You can now enjoy the magnificent taste and aroma of our famous tea blends such as Tibetan Tiger , Jewels and Japanese Berry with all the convenience of individual tea bags. The Pyramid Pouch is packaged beautifully in a bold triangular package and is available at Great Cooks and the Tea Spot as well as fine restaurants in the city.

Best of T.O.

September 2, 2003

Many thanks to all our customers who voted for us!

This is how we fared in the following categories:

Best Caterer - # 1
Best Cheap Eats - # 2
Best Coffee (Tea) Shop - # 2
Best Take-Out - # 2