Q&A With TL Insider Dale Schattenkirk

The perks of membership for Dale and his wife, Fawn

Tell me about your relationship with the city.

This past April was my five-year anniversary of moving to Toronto. I was born and raised in the Prairies and came here by way of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. I had just taken a job at KPMG, where I’m a partner specializing in process improvement, and landed an apartment in Cabbagetown. I met my wife, Fawn, here, and we settled in the Beaches. Fawn is a heels-to-hikers-in-a-heartbeat kind of girl, so we spend our time canoeing along the lake, cycling the lakeshore and hiking near the bluffs. I’m a short bike ride from work and the luxury of downtown. I once bought into the “Toronto is overrated” attitude, but that couldn’t be any less true.

What prompted you to join TL Insider?

I was introduced to Toronto Life through Fawn, who has always been an avid reader. Food and wine are a big part of our leisure time—we use TL’s top restaurants list as a guide for dining. She gave me an Insider membership for Christmas in 2019, which was bittersweet since the pandemic hit soon after. Still, there’s been a ton of virtual programming to get excited about.

What have been some of your favourite virtual experiences?

One of the first events I attended was a gnocchi-making masterclass with chef Lauren Mozer. Her personality is so bright, and she made the class feel very interactive. We enjoyed the Grape Witches tasting event as well. We loved how much information they packed into the class while making it easy to follow. These events work really well because the process is so simple. The curbside pickup and delivery options make it feel very accessible.

What has TL Insider taught you about the city?

It’s opened me up to businesses that I hadn’t been exposed to, from small-scale theatres to wine shops like Grape Witches. We’ve also learned how connected the business ecosystem is in Toronto.

What in-person events are you looking forward to?

We’re big fans of restaurants with chef tables, so attending a Serving Knowledge Supper Club event would be amazing. The atmosphere of those events is unmatched.

Do you believe the city will return with a boom?

I absolutely do. I’m excited to be part of it, and I know the Insider events are going to make it even better.