Toronto Reference Library Blog

On January 29th, at Fort York, two of Toronto's top chefs, Ted Corrado and Scott Vivian, will compete by preparing recipes using local ingredients.  The recipes will each feature a secret 1812-era ingredient.  That got me wondering what those secret ingredients could be. 

The Toronto Reference Library has 19th century Canadian cookbooks with recipes and lists of ingredients.  The virtual exhibit, Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto 1839 – 1955, draws us a picture of the food habits of Toronto residents at that time.

Historians or anyone else interested in seeing what goods were stocked on the shelves of local 19th century stores can consult the account book of William Proudfoot for a list of groceries, wines and dry goods sold between 1825 and 1853.  The account book can be viewed in the Baldwin Room, 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.

Might the secret ingredient be currents or figs? We'll find out on January 29th. 

For more information about War of 1812 events at Fort York, visit http://www.fortyork.ca/events.htm

On January 29th, at Fort York, two of Toronto's top chefs, Ted Corrado and Scott Vivian, will compete by preparing recipes using local ingredients.  The recipes will each feature a secret 1812-era ingredient.  That got me wondering what those secret ingredients could be. 

The Toronto Reference Library has 19th century Canadian cookbooks with recipes and lists of ingredients.  The virtual exhibit, Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto 1839 – 1955, draws us a picture of the food habits of Toronto residents at that time.

Historians or anyone else interested in seeing what goods were stocked on the shelves of local 19th century stores can consult the account book of William Proudfoot for a list of groceries, wines and dry goods sold between 1825 and 1853.  The account book can be viewed in the Baldwin Room, 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.

Might the secret ingredient be currents or figs? We'll find out on January 29th. 

For more information about War of 1812 events at Fort York, visit http://www.fortyork.ca/events.htm