Michael Sacco is the founder of ChocoSol, an artisanal chocolate company, learning community and social enterprise promoting organic cacao production and indigenous knowledge through horizontal trade and direct collaboration with the growers. Through chocolate, Micheal extends a symbolic invitation for dignity, creativity and learning.

Michael will be talking about the roots of Meso-American permacultures: the 3 Sisters of the field garden (corn, beans & squash), evolving into the 3 pillars of the forest garden (cacao, vanilla, achiote) as the basis of ChocoSol’s eco-gastronomy, and as an opportunity to sustainably regenerate fields by returning to forests and poly-culture.

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Table Talks include a seasonal meal prepared by The Depanneur founder Len Senater;

This menu will be a cross-country mashup of Mexican flavours – cochinita pibil from Yucatan, carnitas from central Michoacán and burritos from the Tex-Mex North.

Pibil is a pre-Colombian, Yucatecan-style recipe where pork is seasoned with citrus and achiote paste, whose annatto seeds give it its characteristic red colour. Carnitas are a Mexican delicacy – slow-cooked confit pork shoulder that has been pulled and then fried to give it a distinctive combination of tender and crispy. Put them together and you’ve got yourself the makings of one damn fine burrito!

My huge burritos come with all the fixin’s: arroz verde (rice seasoned with poblano peppers & cilantro), black beans with epazote (a herb that’s the secret to making amazing Mexican beans), a bit of tangy guacamole, cool lime & cilantro crema and fresh pico de gallo (tomato & jalapeño salsa) all wrapped up in a grilled flour tortilla. Served with tortilla chips and pico de gallo on the side.

Also available #vegetarian/ #vegan with a 3-sisters saute, and/or #glutenfree as tacos on corn tortillas.

A dessert featuring ChocoSol’s remarkable chocolate & vanilla is also in the works. ($5, a la carte)
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Doors open at 6pm, talk starts at 7pm
$20 (+HST) — includes dinner

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Every month The Depanneur invites a local food personality to talk about something that interests them while Dep founder Len Senater cooks dinner for everyone.

Find out more on Table Talks at The Depanneur