Newcomer Kitchen expands with a new Syrian pop-up brunch, prepared by refugees | NOW Magazine

After the success of The Depanneur’s weekly dinners, Mirvish Village developer Westbank steps up to sponsor a Syrian brunch event at Butler’s Pantry

BY KELLI KIELEY NOVEMBER 30, 2016

“Instead of just selling your last sandwich, why not go down in a Thelma and Louise blaze of glory?”

That was the pitch to Atique Azad, the proprietor of the Butler’s Pantry, a 25-year old Mirvish Village institution set to close at the end of 2016 to make way for the development replacing Honest Ed’s.

He thought, “what have I got to lose?” And just like that, Canada’s first Syrian Brunch Pop-Up was born. And it’s a hot ticket. December 4 is already sold out.

It’s the first official spin-off from Toronto’s Newcomer Kitchen, a project co-founded by Cara Benjamin-Pace and Len Senater at College Street’s The Depanneur that specializes in unique food experiences. Since April, more than 55 Syrian newcomer women have cooked a wide range of traditional dishes, and in the process, put over $25,000 directly into Toronto’s newcomer community.

Because each weekly dinner consistently sold out, the next challenge was to tackle Toronto’s most iconic meal: Sunday Brunch. After months of testing, tinkering and tasting, what may be the first Syrian Brunch Pop-Up in the world is ready to be experienced by a handful of lucky Torontonians.

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Syrian refugees build community with cooking | THIS Magazine

Photo by J. Walton

Photo by J. Walton

Behind the scenes at the Newcomer Kitchen and Karam Kitchen in Ontario

by Amanda Scriver | 

It has been nearly one year since the Liberal government enacted a program to admit 25,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada. In their first year, many of the families faced several challenges to overcome: getting to know a brand new country, finding suitable accommodations, and trying to find a job in our country’s tough economic climate, all while facing systemic racism upon arrival. The resettlement process is not easy, and many are still trying to find their way here in Canada. While the Canadian government and private sponsors have helped—offering financial assistance, medical coverage, and housing—the biggest challenge many Syrians have faced is finding community.

 Read the full article

Newcomer Kitchen Brunch at Butler’s Pantry

nk-brunch-collage_2

We invite you to join Newcomer Kitchen at Butler’s Pantry for Toronto’s first authentic Syrian brunch!

brought to you with the generous support of Westbank

This is the first official public Newcomer Kitchen spin-off project, in a trial-run, limited seating engagement. Come enjoy a lavish spread of traditional Syrian home cooking prepared by the talented cooks of Newcomer Kitchen.

Every Sunday until December 18 — SOLD OUT

NEW SATURDAY SEATINGS AVAILABLE!

Prix fixe menu — sold in pairs of 2 — $30 per person

11am, 12, 1 & 2 pm — Tickets must be purchased in advance
(note: each seating is for nearly 2 hours; no one wants to rush Sunday Brunch!)

LOCATION

Butler’s Pantry, 591 Markham Street, Toronto, ON M6G 2L7 View Map

Shay
Bottomless tea!

MEZE (all included, for sharing for 2 people)

Khabaz Saj
Warm flatbread prepared on the domed sag oven
With za’atar and olive oil for dipping

Labneh
Homemade yogurt cheese balls cured in olive oil and seasoned nigella and sesame seed

Kebbeh Bel Sayniyeh
Baked bulgur dough stuffed with walnuts, potatoes, onions, tomato and pomegranate

Baba Ganouj
Smoky eggplant dip with tahini, pomegranate molasses, walnuts and pomegranate seeds

Salatet Na’ameh
Fresh salad of finely chopped tomato, cucumber & onion with lemon, olive oil and mint.

Mukhallat & Atun
Pickled turnips and wild cucumbers; sun-dried black olives spiced with herbs, lemon and Aleppo pepper

Khdarawat
Selection of fresh vegetables to accompany the meal

MAINS (choice of one)

Jazmaz
The Syrian version of the classic Middle Eastern shakshouka; sunny eggs cooked in a rich, chunky tomato sauce with garlic and olive oil.

Fattet Maqdoos
Crispy pita bread, topped with baked eggplant, yogurt- tahini sauce, caramelized onions, pine nuts & parsley. Vegetarian -or- with awarma (confit halal beef)

Beid bel Toum
Syrian hash! Eggs scrambled with potato and whole confit garlic cloves, garnished with pine nuts and herbs.
Vegetarian -or- with awarma (confit halal beef)

Salatet Sabaneh
Wilted spinach tossed with a warm sautée of chickpeas, mushrooms and onions, garnished with lemon & olive oil
Vegan -or- topped with an olive-oil fried egg.

SWEETS, FRUIT & NUTS

Helawiyaat
Figs stuffed with walnuts & dates stuffed with almonds, with grape molasses and tahini for dipping.

Namoura
Semolina and yogurt cake, topped with an almond and infused with orange blossom syrup

Barazek
Buttery pistachio and sesame cookie

Beverages available a la carte | Gratuity not included

 

>> PURCHASE HERE <<

 

Butler’s Pantry + Newcomer Kitchen + Westbank

Newcomer Kitchen invites Syrian newcomer women to share their remarkable cooking skills through collaborations with local restaurants. newcomerkitchen.ca

Butler’s Pantry has become a Toronto institution, serving international comfort foods since 1985. butlerspantry.ca

Westbank is Canada’s leading residential and mixed-use real estate development company, committed to including affordable and social housing, non-profit community partnerships, and accessible public space in all of its projects. westbankcorp.com

Newcomer Kitchen Brunch at Butler’s Pantry — SUN Nov. 20

nk-brunch-collage_2

We invite you to join Newcomer Kitchen at Butler’s Pantry for Toronto’s first authentic Syrian brunch!

This is the first official public NK spin-off project, in a trial-run, limited seating engagement. Come enjoy a lavish spread of traditional Syrian home cooking prepared by the talented cooks of Newcomer Kitchen.

Prix fixe menu — sold in pairs of 2 — $30 per person
3 seatings — 11am, 12 & 1 pm — Tickets must be purchased in advance

>> PURCHASE HERE <<

—–
Shay
Bottomless tea!

MEZE (all included, for sharing for 2 people)

Khabaz Saj
Warm flatbread prepared on the domed sag oven
With za’atar and olive oil for dipping

Labneh
Homemade yogurt cheese balls cured in olive oil and seasoned nigella and sesame seed

Kebbeh Bel Sayniyeh
Baked bulgur dough stuffed with walnuts, potatoes, onions, tomato and pomegranate

Baba Ganouj
Smoky eggplant dip with tahini, pomegranate molasses, walnuts and pomegranate seeds

Salatet Na’ameh
Fresh salad of finely chopped tomato, cucumber & onion with lemon, olive oil and mint.

Mukhallat & Atun
Pickled turnips and wild cucumbers; sun-dried black olives spiced with herbs, lemon and Aleppo pepper

Khdarawat
Selection of fresh vegetables to accompany the meal

MAINS (choice of one)

Jazmaz
The Syrian version of the classic Middle Eastern shakshouka; sunny eggs cooked in a rich, chunky tomato sauce with garlic and olive oil.

Fattet Maqdoos
Crispy pita bread, topped with baked eggplant, yogurt- tahini sauce, caramelized onions, pine nuts & parsley. Vegetarian -or- with awarma (confit halal beef)

Beid bel Toum
Syrian hash! Eggs scrambled with potato and whole confit garlic cloves, garnished with pine nuts and herbs.
Vegetarian -or- with awarma (confit halal beef)

Salatet Sabaneh
Wilted spinach tossed with a warm sautée of chickpeas, mushrooms and onions, garnished with lemon & olive oil
Vegan -or- topped with an olive-oil fried egg.

SWEETS, FRUIT & NUTS

Helawiyaat
Figs stuffed with walnuts & dates stuffed with almonds, with grape molasses and tahini for dipping.

Namoura
Semolina and yogurt cake, topped with an almond and infused with orange blossom syrup

Barazek
Buttery pistachio and sesame cookie

—–
Beverages available a la carte | Gratuity not included

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on Eventbrite

Newcomer Kitchen invites Syrian newcomer women to share their remarkable cooking skills through collaborations with local restaurants. newcomerkitchen.ca

Butler’s Pantry has become a Toronto institution, serving international comfort foods since 1985. butlerspantry.ca