Travel Mammal @ CRFA Show....Part 1

As soon as I heard about this show coming back to Toronto, it was a no-brainer. I had to go!

Called my crew, got the cameras ready and in TRUE Travel Mammal fashion, decided to hit and in many ways invade the CRFA Show.

CRFA stands for Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and each year, everyone and anyone who’s involved in the food industry fights to get a spot on the floor, display their brand and more importantly distribute their products.

That being said, this Show is always packed with hundreds of vendors and for a guy like me, it means keeping my stomach virtually empty for as many as 2 days prior in preparation for the gluttony that ensues.

The following video takes place on Fat Tuesday. Ironic? No. Fitting? Absolutely!

This is Part 1 of 3. Unscripted, unrivaled and unleashed. Enjoy!

Chef Giacomo Pasquini @ Vertical: Young, poised and talented!

Born in Italy, Giacomo Pasquini, was surrounded by some of the freshest food in the World. Add the fact that he was raised in Senigalia, Le Marche region of Italy and one could say he was blessed to have the chance to devour some of the best food in the World.

An apprentice at 14, Giacomo worked hard, studied harder and saw his knowledge of the culinary arts grow exponentially. By the time he reached his early 20s, Giacomo became Captain of the Italian National Cooking under 21 team, winning two silver medals in the process.

By 2006, Giacomo was learning the ropes as a Sous Chef at Vertical restaurant. In 2010, he became Vertical’s Head Chef. Using the skills he learned from his Grand Parents and Mother coupled with his many years of learning and working from the best the world over, Giacomo Pasquini is one to watch in Toronto’s ultra competitive dining scene.