The Depanneur + The Bentway Communal Picnic 2021

Pre-order online until TUE Jun 29, 10pm
Pick up on THU Jul 1, 6-7pm at The Bentway

In early 2016, shortly after hundreds of Syrian refugee families arrived in Toronto, The Depanneur reached out with an invitation to share their kitchen. From that small gesture of hospitality emerged Newcomer Kitchen, growing into a non profit organization dedicated to creating social and economic opportunities for newcomer women while enriching the culinary landscape of our city. Now, 5 years and tens of thousands of meals later, a small group of the original participants have teamed up to form their own catering business, Syrian Sisters. We could not be more proud to give them this opportunity to showcase their talent on Canada Day — a celebration of hope, resilience, pride, ambition, perseverance, and delicious food.

Syria is renowned throughout the Middle East for its diverse culinary traditions, many of them reaching back thousands of years. Tonight’s menu features a selection of traditional Syrian dishes, including handmade saj flatbread, which will be served fresh from the traditional domed griddle from which it gets its name.
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Mezze — a selection of dips and small plates served with fresh saj bread

Muhammara
A luscious deep red spread made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, pomegranate syrup and spicy Aleppo pepper, served with fresh vegetables & seasoned black olives.

Hummus
The ancient Levantine dish that has become popular all around the world; creamy chickpeas and sesame tahini blended with a touch of garlic and lemon

Yalanji
Stuffed grape vine leaves can be found on tables all around the Eastern Mediterranean. This Syrian version features a seasoned rice and tomato filling flecked with green pepper, cooked in a tangy sauce of tomato, lemon, pomegranate and olive oil.

Served with warm saj bread, a traditional handmade flatbread cooked on a domed griddle.

Ouzi
A luxurious pilaf from Damascus, ouzi combines delicately spiced halal ground beef, short grain rice and green peas, topped with almonds and pines nuts that have been fried in butter.
Also available vegetarian, with a mix of mushroom, carrots and green beans.

Served with Salata Shamander; a colourful beet and chickpea salad dressed with lemon, olive oil, sumac and parsley, and Kh’yer bel Laban, a refreshing cucumber, yogurt & mint condiment

S’fouf
A delicate semolina cake with turmeric, anise, vanilla, and coconut, studded with black sesame seeds and topped with crumbled pistachio.
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Contains nuts, dairy, wheat

Beef, Vegetarian, or 1/2+1/2
Syrian Picnic for 2 $59 • for 4 $109 • for 6 $159

ORDERING FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. PICK UP IS THU JUL 1, 6-7PM, AT THE BENTWAY.

Pay It Forward

At check out, you will be given the opportunity to either contribute towards a supplemental Pay It Forward meal. For every Pay It Forward meal purchased, The Depanneur and The Bentway will work together to provide a second meal to double the impact of your generosity. All Pay it Forward funds will be used to create fresh meals for the The Fort York-Spadina Community Care Program; @spafycc

Newcomer Kitchen is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating economic and social opportunities for newcomer women in Toronto. @NewcomerKitchen

Syrian Sisters is a group of seven women who came to Canada to find a new life. After meeting at Newcomer Kitchen we became great friends, like a new family. We learned about how to start a food business. Now it was time to try out our wings and fly. We hope you enjoy our food. It is made with love and hope for a better future for us all. Thank you for supporting us. @syriansisterskitchen