Dick reports...

I had my first "Foster’s"…

…at the ‘Taste of the Danforth’ event. Although most of it was rained out, I managed to hit a short dry spell and noticed the signs on the Fox and Fiddle Pub and was immediately reminded of Paul Hogan – Crocodile Dundee! He had said "Foster’s beer tastes like an angel crying on your tongue". There were none of his angels here today!

Some also say that "Foster’s Lager is Australian for Beer" – but many beer aficionados dispute this –after all, it is brewed here in Canada by Carlings – I did not know this at the time. It was very drinkable!

I continued my travels along the Danforth and noticed that - not only - Greek food was offered but also other ethnic delicacies – Thai food was one of the others – and quite tasty I might add.

I asked several of the business owners about the previous Saturday. All were disappointed and said the day was lost, except for the owner of a ‘Dollar store’ who said he never sold so many umbrellas! A few of the stores mentioned that people – trying to get out of the rain – had come in and probably felt that they had to buy something, which many of them did.

The Sunday that I visited the event, the day started out sunny, but by the time I had traveled to Pape and back to Broadview it started to rain and I gave up. Maybe next year is going to be better.

Annual Picnic at the Hansa Haus

The annual picnic at the Hansa Haus was a surprise. It was held at the new patio area - and beyond – and attended by about 300 visitors – it seemed like the largest attendance ever, but there was enough food and drink for everyone – except for my favourite potato pancakes!

At the picnic tables

There were also tables and umbrellas for all the visitors. Since it was a very sunny day, the umbrellas over the tables provided enough shade to make the stay a comfortable one.

The Echo Germanica gang resided on a table donated by our publication. The brass plaque on it attested to it. However, there was no umbrella, but as always, we were prepared and brought our own. We even had one to spare for someone else to borrow.

Peter Henkel provided the musical background and "Chester the Clown" entertained the few youngsters that were present.

Entertained by the clown

The rest of the entertainment came from the Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada, who had joined in for the first time. Christian Klein and his members came prepared with poetry and song to add to the afternoons proceeding.

Volunteers and Helpers
Line up for food and drink	Good service and smile from the volunteers of the Hansa Club
Manning one of the barbeques: Herbert Gross	The Gutwein family
"Experts" at the bar	"Experts" at the bar
Enjoying their own labour

This was all in all a very successful event, with many guests in attendance whom you hardly ever see during the rest of the year.

Children and other guests
Good food	Prepared for rain or shine
The smile says it all	Ekko (c.) surveys the crowd
Enjoying their "Berliners"	Riding the rails
The Richters & Ulli Jeschke

Most everyone agreed that the new addition to the existing clubhouse was a great idea and quite practical for outdoor activities – except that it was a little muddy in some areas. Right were the lowest spot was there will be an elevated wooden dance floor next year. Imagine, we will be able to dance under the stars. How romantic!

At Harbourfront

It was "Hot and Spicy Food Festival" at the Harbourfront recently and various cooking demos were scheduled that Saturday.

The first one I attended was hosted by "Rising Chefs" – visit their website www.risingchefs.com for additional info - where a bevy of young Rising Chefs were preparing and cooking ‘Apple Cinnamon Wontons’ with instructions by a number of teachers (and some help of parents) They all wore Chef hats and aprons and looked quite professional. The peeling of the apples seemed to be the most difficult part – that’s where help was required by some of the youngest – but few had troubles coring and cutting the apples with the special plastic knifes. Wonton or dumpling (Perogies) small dough wrappers were filled with apple pieces, lemon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla flavour then folded over, the edges moistened and pressed together. When the oil-filled frying pans had heated up the wontons were fried on both sides and later served with icing sugar. There were none left over!

Rising Chefs

Children’s Party Packages and Cooking Classes for Kids – from three years old to over 12 - are some of the specialties offered. Check out their website above, for the various schedules and other important information.

Cookerydoo is a cooking school exclusively for children - new in Oakville - and offers cooking parties, Custom Cakes, Catering, Home Deliveries and more. At the Kid’s tent at Harbourfront they were making ‘Candi Sushi’ with the children. Check out their website for more information: www.cookerydoo.com

The next item on my hot and spicy agenda was a visit to a "Thai" cooking demo, hosted by Chef Sasi Meechai-Lim and her husband Allan Lim, the founder of the cooking school and the other services. He offered a delightful and amazingly detailed welcoming address to the visitors and continued with explanations throughout the demonstrations.

This demo featuring "Thai Chili Shrimps" (or Chicken) lasted only a few minutes. However the results were delicious when finished, with SASI Stir Fry Seafood BBQ sauce, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peppers (or other field greens) - stir fried until al dente - and served with steamed jasmine rice. A glass of wine rounded out the tasting afterwards. It’s no wonder that she is one of the best known Thai Chefs with an almost worldwide reputation.

She doesn’t brag about some of her celebrity customers such as Bill Gates, Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, Jackie Chan or John Travolta – that’s Allan’s job!

Sasi’s #54 Special Red Chicken Curry with Lychee has become a legend and people flock to Sasi’s from all over. 323 Jarvis Street (at Gerrard) call and check for reservations at 416-995-8424. You can also e-mail Allan at: allan@sasithai.com or go to their website http://mengraithai.com.

The next festival with a European flavor I’ll be visiting is the Ukrainian Festival on September 12-14 in the Bloor West Village.

As always
Dick Altermann