Art and food are a natural synthesis and have been influencing each other for centuries. A group of chefs who do dinners together all over the city recently decided to use images and create dishes to reflect the story behind them. Brilliant. Calling themselves The Group of 7 also has a resonance to us as Canadians, so that adds an extra element of excitement to the evening that saw 30 diners come together for food, drink, and to be wowed in the studio space of the westend gallery The Department. 

One of the things I love about these types of dinners is the camaraderie between cooks, and how they work and joke together like they have been friends since childhood. It is always a good time, and fun to get to hang out and witness the debauchery that happens while magic is being made and canvasses created on a plate. 

Here is the art and accompanying food from the night. 

Matty Matheson - Parts & Labour 

This is Mattys grandmother, who he never got to meet but had a strong influence on his cooking. 

Scallop, Foie Gras, Lardo, Pickled Blueberry, Lobster Broth

Scott Vivian - Beast

Scott took this picture on a trip to France where he proposed to his wife Rachelle

 Ontario Water Buffalo Pot au Feu

Kevin McKenna & Marc Darfour - Globe/Earth

The amazing site of a prosciutto room in Italy. The chefs of Globe and Earth make their own with locally raised animals.

Sweetbreads, Earth Prosciutto, Niagara Walnut, Courtland Apple

Chris Brown - The Stop

Chris is not only the chef of The Stop, but he also teaches kids about food.

Hot Smoked Rainbow Trout with Savoury Cabbage, Sea Buckthorn Berries, Wild Mushrooms

Bertrand Alepee – The Tempered Chef

A village in France, Bertrand was born in Paris and his roots strongly influence his food.

Spice Roasted Duck Breast, Mushroom and Sunchoke Crumble, Montforte Goat Mousse, Braised Endive

Mark Cutrara – Cowbell

The glory of Ontario.

Cornmeal and Ricotta Honey Cake, Prunes, Rosemary

Guy Rawlings – Mustard with Swag Ltd. (Guy is also a chef at Lucien)

The farm dog, who supposedly eats his weight in apples daily. That must be one healthy pup.

Gatzke Apples

The rest of the photo series is up on Facebook here