Chef Jamie Kennedy
Photo: Courtesy of Mary Armstrong
Following the success of his two Toronto restaurants and catering company, chef and local food champion Jamie Kennedy is launching a café, food shop, and event space at his company's production kitchen (and sales offices) in Cabbagetown. Set to open on April 28, the Gilead Cafe will serve a variety of breakfast and lunch items such as croissants, salads, and charcuterie, as well as takeaway items like duck confit and lettuces from Soiled Reputation (a farm in southwestern Ontario).
In the evenings, the 736-square-foot café will be used as an event venue, holding as many as 40 for dinner. What makes it different is that it's situated in the middle of the large commercial kitchen. "The space makes for a more interactive event experience," says Dan Donovan, managing director of Jamie Kennedy Kitchens. "We recently held a test dinner here, and clients were cocktailing in the kitchen while the cooks were cooking." The decor includes polished concrete floors, cherrywood tables, and two walls of jarred preserves (much like those found in Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar). And yes, for those who are wondering, the café will serve Kennedy's signature Yukon gold fries.
In the evenings, the 736-square-foot café will be used as an event venue, holding as many as 40 for dinner. What makes it different is that it's situated in the middle of the large commercial kitchen. "The space makes for a more interactive event experience," says Dan Donovan, managing director of Jamie Kennedy Kitchens. "We recently held a test dinner here, and clients were cocktailing in the kitchen while the cooks were cooking." The decor includes polished concrete floors, cherrywood tables, and two walls of jarred preserves (much like those found in Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar). And yes, for those who are wondering, the café will serve Kennedy's signature Yukon gold fries.
