Epicure's Revue: Thursday, June 28, 6:30 p.m.
Chinese food, a wedding and a funny, touching film
by Staff
Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet offers much to chew on and digest – including a lot of food.
It’s also funny, entertaining and touching as it deals with the collision of traditional and modern social expectations, parents from Taiwan and a gay son in New York City, who is under constant pressure to marry.
The 1993 film brought director Ang Lee to international attention. It has earned a 96 per cent approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website.
Chinese food will be the focus of the evening.
As for other Epicure’s Revues, we’re inviting local restaurants to provide a platter of samples with themed to the movie. These tasty offerings are included in the price of your ticket: $10 for Revue members and seniors; $12 for non-members.
We’re pleased to introduce Vanessa Yeung as our guest expert. Vanessa, who trained at the Stratford Chef School and apprenticed at Scaramouche, runs Aphrodite Cooks. She caters and offers cooking classes for singles (a much more appealing way to meet people compared to noisy bars), for couples, for parents intereted in making their own baby food. She’s also branching out into different ethnic cuisines.
Before opening the business, Vanessa says she was the private chef to former Maple Leaf and Hockey Hall of Famer Ed Belfour.
Her favorite cuisine? Italian she says. (She married an Italian.) But she likes to draw on her Asian heritage.
What are some traditional dishes at a Chinese wedding banquet? Roasted pig, either whole or pieces, symbolizing wealth and abundance; shrimp and lobster, representing happiness and joy; and noodles for longevity.
Vanessa says she’ll bring some of her own specialities. She’s known for her potstickers – Chinese dumplings with pork.
We’re looking forward to this Epicure’s Revue – a great film, interesting subject and a knowledgeable expert.
All for the price of a film.
What will be on the menu?
Pizzeria Defina plans pizzas with the following toppings: Bok Choy, Szechuan chicken, hot banana peppers, green onions, water chestnuts.
And more are to come!
Last month’s Epicure featuring the tradition of English teas and the 1952 adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest was a great success. We celebrated May 24th, Queen Victoria’s birthday, with currant scones from Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and Mabel’s Bakery, lemon poppyseed scones from Barque Smokehouse, and savoury scones from the Blue Plate. Lardon produced some beautiful cucumber and salmon sandwiches, while the Mercantile laid on Kusmi-brand tea. Stasis Local Foods offered some chutneys and jams. Bunner’s Bake Shop in the Junction and 7th Sister Bakery provided a variety of mini-muffins. And Pizzeria Defina had some royal treats: a Queen Victoria pizza with bangers and mash!