Underground!!

The first Toronto Underground Market

Crisps in the process of being cut up (We sliced 25 kilos of potatoes!)

Crisps on the stall

Well the first TUM has come and gone. The event was a success, we sold out of all our potato crisps and brownies were down to the last few crumbs by the end of the night.

Thanks to Hassel and Carley from the TUM, who did a great job organizing everything. And of course the volunteers, without whom I would never have made it out of the kitchen and to the stall for the 6pm start time! In particular I want to thank Eshwar (my rockstar for the day), Emma, Daria & Dana who swept in at the last minute to help complete packing and ribbon tying!

The day began nicely, I arrived at 8am thinking that I would have plenty of time to deal with everything, and even get home to shower and change...little did I know I would be frying chips from 10am until 6pm when the kitchen lights were turned off (Jessica Brooks, my kitchen mate from Tartina also had the same thought...how wrong we were). Thank goodness those wonderful volunteers swept in, as I really couldn't have finished with out them. Not to mention the fact that I was surviving on a coffee and an oatmeal cookie, my only sustenance it would tun out for the entire day!

The kitchens were a hive of activity, creativity, and fantastic energy. I can't say enough about all the people who were cramped in to the kitchens at the Brickworks. I don't know how 30 people managed to chop, simmer, bake, blend, fry and whip in such a small area, but we all did and there were no fights, tantrums, or problems it was wonderful! Had great laughs with Wes & Chris the Spice Cadets, Jessica, and Eshwar my trusty volunteer, who came to help supervise the kitchen, little did he know he would be roped in to bagging 150 bags of crisps (but I really could not have done it without him)!

When I finally made it out to the floor, the event was fab. Thank you to Tory (the event Media Relation's contact) & Steve my husband for all their help at the stall. Such a great vibe of people coming in, eager to taste and discuss food. We didn't have much time to leave the booth, and sadly there was no time to get any food, except for 2 beef sammy's from the very amazing Kurt & Ryan at Westside Beef. Steve and Tory devoured them within seconds! Steve also stocked up on his favourite snack, scotch eggs, which the lovely Karen & her husband, of Hackney Fine Foods slaved over for days to bring to TUM (and to which Steve says they are egg-cellent!).

All in all a fab event, really happy we took part. Looking forward to getting in to the test kitchen to see what I can cook up for next time...thoughts are on a bacon and cheddar crisp (just a thought right now, but I' m going to try to make it happen!). Thanks to everyone who came out and tried our stuff!

Cheers!

Deirdre
p.s. Check us out in The National Post