FORKS & THE ROAD

The King Street Food Company’s Buca Osteria & Bar in Yorkville, Toronto under Chef Rob Gentile has been winning accolades since it opened. Not content to rest on the laurels of its stellar menu, it has been running a series of wine and food pairing dinners featuring some of Italy’s most notable chefs. The fourth and latest was with Chef Pino Cuttaia of Sicily’s two Michelin- star La Madia. Proceeds from these $ 300 per person sixcourse extravaganzas go toward George Brown College’s Chef School to fund scholarships and opportunities for internships in prestigious restaurants in Italy. Over two years, the series will have brought six of Italy’s top chefs with Michelin star ratings to Toronto. The upcoming last two are Chef Valeria Piccini in July ( two star Caino in a Relais & Châteaux property in the Maremme) and with Chef Mauro Uliassi ( two star seafood restaurant in Senigallia on the Adriatic coast) in November. Those wanting to be fully immersed in Italy can sign up for Chef Gentile and wife Audrey’s inaugural L’Anima Retreat in September in Umbria: eight days of hands- on cooking with chef along with daily sessions with yoga instructor Audrey. audreygentile.com