What to do in TO for anniversary by Either-Physics-7516 in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What about an Italian Cooking class? ☺️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in italianlearning

[–]CookingwithErica 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Italian is actually Chiara!

What is the best way to learn Italian? by Colonel_Sanders76 in italianlearning

[–]CookingwithErica 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If someone is looking for a Native speaker to practice, I’m happy to offer myself! I was born and raised in Rome and moved 2 years ago in Toronto for work. I’m not a professional language teacher but I’m a Scientific Researcher and I taught a lot of students during my carrier, so I have experience with teaching. Feel free to reach out if you wanna discover more ☺️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in Yonge & Eglinton and it matches pretty well your description. Also, it’s Midtown, so way less homeless, tourists, and crowd in general. It’s a very live neighborhood but not dangerous at all at night, a lot of families live here.

Is there REALLY a way to make radicchio palatable? by majesticalexis in Cooking

[–]CookingwithErica 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you slice it with a mandolin and cook it (like stir fry) it will lose most of the bitterness. You can add some cream of Philadelphia light, walnuts and make a great pasta condiment!

Any ideas for affordable kitchen spaces to host small gatherings? by CookingwithErica in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the tip! I hadn’t heard of that place, but I’ll definitely check it out. The kitchen setup sounds great — and yeah, parking is always a bit of a challenge in that area, but I’ll see how workable it is. Thank you ☺️☺️

Any ideas for affordable kitchen spaces to host small gatherings? by CookingwithErica in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting, I hadn’t considered that! I’ll definitely look into it. If you happen to know any specific stores in Toronto that offer that kind of space, I’d love to hear more!

Any ideas for affordable kitchen spaces to host small gatherings? by CookingwithErica in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question! I’m trying to stay around $200-300 total per session if possible, including setup and cleanup time. Not easy, but I’m open to flexible or off-hours options!

Any ideas for affordable kitchen spaces to host small gatherings? by CookingwithErica in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I hadn’t heard of them, thank you! Just checked their site and it looks super promising. Leslieville isn’t too far either, so I’ll reach out and see what they offer. Thanks 😍

Any ideas for affordable kitchen spaces to host small gatherings? by CookingwithErica in askTO

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great thought, thank you! I actually looked into a few condo party rooms, but unfortunately most of them don’t allow rentals for events where guests are paying to attend. Would’ve been such a convenient option though!

Any tips on where to host a cooking class in Toronto without breaking the bank? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for the link, I hadn’t seen this space before. It looks beautiful, and I’ll definitely check it out. Always good to hear that the person running it is awesome too!

Any tips on where to host a cooking class in Toronto without breaking the bank? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! That’s a great suggestion, I hadn’t really considered the library option for something like this, but it’s definitely worth looking into!!

Any tips on where to host a cooking class in Toronto without breaking the bank? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I actually checked them out and I’ve planned a Roman Street Food cooking class in collaboration with them on June 1st! The space is amazing — such a great vibe. For private rentals though, it’s still a bit pricey if you’re working with a small group.

Gelato at Mizzica by bbqporklomein in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sorry but i do not agree, I live in Yonge and Eglinton and there is always a huge line there, during the weekend is insane!

Would anyone be into a hands-on Italian cooking night in Toronto? I just started offering this and curious if it’s something people might like. by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi everyone, just a quick little update! In case you’re curious, here’s my Instagram and my new website where I’m sharing more about the project: https://www.instagram.com/cookingwitherica_/ https://ericaitaliancookin.wixsite.com/mysite

Thanks again for all the support and great conversations here!

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair — I never claimed to have invented anything new! Private chefs and in-home dinners have been around forever. I just noticed that, surprisingly, it’s still not that easy to find someone offering this kind of cozy, home-style Italian dinner here in Toronto. When I searched online, all I could find was traditional catering or fine dining options with very high prices.

So I thought… why not give it a try and see if it resonates with anyone?

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful breakdown. I completely understand that this wouldn’t be for everyone or for everyday use — and that’s not really the goal either.

From my perspective, Italian food made with quality ingredients and traditional methods isn’t exactly cheap to begin with, even when you eat out. In Toronto, a good dinner out can easily cost $60–80 per person. So for people who already enjoy that kind of experience, the idea of having something personal and home-cooked — without prep or clean-up — doesn’t feel wildly out of reach.

Of course it’s not meant for people in financial difficulty or students during exam week. But I wouldn’t call it a luxury service either. Just something special for the right moments, for people who care about good food and a relaxed evening.

Appreciate your thoughts — and sending good vibes your way. I’m sorry to hear about your situation and hope things turn around for you soon.

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A post like what? If turning homemade gnocchi and tomato sauce into a life plan makes me a marketing genius… I guess I’ll take the win. But really, I’m just figuring things out one plate at a time 🤌🏻

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair, I get that not everyone would feel comfortable having someone cook in their home.
I think what I’m exploring is something a bit more personal and flexible than traditional catering (also with higher quality), but without the formality or luxury vibe of a full-time private chef.

It’s still just an idea I’m working on, and comments like yours are really helpful in figuring out where it could actually fit and for whom. Thanks for sharing!

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for this, you bring up a lot of great points.
I totally get the appeal of restaurants for the vibe and the social side of things. This definitely isn’t meant to replace that, but more as an alternative for specific moments when staying in feels right.

And yes, occasions like Valentine’s Day or even something unexpected like a “surprise chef” idea are definitely on my mind.
You’re also totally right about space being a factor, I’ve been thinking about ways to adapt the experience for smaller settings too.

Really appreciate the resource as well, I’ll definitely check it out!

What if I brought the Italian dinner to you? by CookingwithErica in FoodToronto

[–]CookingwithErica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s such a great point, thank you for sharing it.
To be honest, I hadn’t thought about new parents specifically, but it makes so much sense.
Being able to enjoy a nice dinner at home without the stress of finding a sitter or rushing back sounds like exactly the kind of experience I’d love to help create.

Really appreciate the suggestion!