Innehållsförteckning för December 2022 från Toronto Life

DIGITAL EDITION FREE FOR PRINT SUBSCRIBERS Your Toronto Life subscription now includes free access to the Toronto Life and FASHION digital editions. In your digital newsstand store, search “toronto life” and “fashion magazine,” download/open the apps, and follow the prompts. SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRY To find out when your current subscription expires, check the mailing label. BILLING AND RENEWAL NOTICE Invoice and renewal notices are printed one week before they are mailed to you. With delivery time, it’s possible that your payment or renewal order will cross in the mail with our invoice or renewal notice. FRAGRANCE-FREE ISSUES Some issues of Toronto Life include perfume strips. If you prefer to receive your copy of the magazine without perfume strips, please write to us at the address listed below. MAIL PREFERENCE On occasion,…

As Sarah Liss writes in her terrific profile (page 50), Liu came to Canada as a young boy. He spoke no English and knew very little about the world he’d just entered. Growing up, he felt isolated and underrepresented—an outsider in a society where pretty much every leading man and lady was white. Then, in 2015, Liu saw a Soul-pepper production of Ins Choi’s play Kim’s Convenience. It was the story of an Asian Canadian family grappling with race, culture and belonging. In effect, it was his story, reflected back at him. He sat in stunned silence after the performance. A year later, the play became a TV show, with Liu starring as the prodigal son. A prime-time program featuring an all-Asian cast was a breakthrough, but Liu had even…

“Live poetry” evokes beatniks in a smoky bar. Your show is different. I’m not even sure what to call it—maybe a one-woman theatrical performance? It’s spoken word mixed with stand-up. My work often deals with heavy themes like abuse, so humour is a way to balance that. When I started, I was a teenager at open mics, but as the gigs got bigger, I had to create something on a larger scale. I added music, visuals and fashion. How does fashion inform your writing? My family didn’t have a lot growing up. At one point, five of us shared a bedroom in a Malton basement. I wore hand-me-downs that my parents brought in a single suitcase from India. When I got my first paycheque from my first job, at Tim…

$5.99 Discounted Netflix subscription rate for Canadians willing to sit through four to five minutes of ads for each hour of bingeing. $35 New airport improvement fees at Pearson, up $5 per passenger. The hub blames inflation and Covid for the hike and plans to put the money toward capital expenses such as debt. $170,000 Cost of an underground parking spot at King Toronto, a new condo spanning King Street from Spadina to Portland. Its penthouse will soon be home to Elton John and David Furnish. $1,350,000 Value of the Natural Resources Canada contract awarded to Mississauga company Flash Forest. The firm will use drones to plant more than one million trees across the country over the next two years. $54,000,000 Amount spent by the feds to produce the ArriveCAN…

When thinking of maple syrup, a few images come to mind: fluffy flapjacks glistening with a thick golden glaze, tree trunks punctured with spigots over metal buckets primed for sap collection and the iconic 11-point leaf that symbolizes the Canadian identity. However, maple syrup goes beyond its traditional Canadiana associations, proving to be a versatile ingredient that can be integrated into various dishes for an unexpected flavour profile. This holiday season, when preparing food for a jubilant get-together, try these two recipes from Maple from Canada’s extensive collection of mouth-watering entrées, appetizers, cocktails, and other fine fare that showcase this traditional staple’s delectable nuances. THE MAPLE MARGARITA Preparation time: 10 minutes Yield: 1 cocktail Ingredients • 3 oz lemonade• 1 oz acerum (maple spirit)*• 1 oz reposado tequila• 0.5 oz…

THE KINGPIN James Wallace, chief of staff The former editor of the Toronto Sun is the level-headed leader responsible for Ford’s tonal shift from populist bluster to calm command. THE VETERAN Cody Welton, deputy chief of staff The long-time Queen’s Park fixture was once Ford’s director of issues management. Now he also handles media relations and shepherds bills through the legislature. THE POLICY EXPERT Patrick Sackville, principal secretary He keeps the government focused on its policy goals: expanding transit, building housing and infrastructure, and growing the critical-minerals and manufacturing sectors. THE CONNECTOR Amin Massoudi, informal adviser Massoudi was the chair of Ford’s campaign. He has a line to virtually every stakeholder in the PCs’ winning coalition. He’s now in the private sector, but Ford still calls him for advice. THE RIGHT-HAND WOMAN Ivana Yelich, deputy…

THE CATALYST Without Andrew Weir, there would be no Michelin guide in Toronto. As VP of Destination Toronto, he spearheaded the years-long process that dispersed undercover inspectors throughout the city’s restaurants. THE OMAKASE KING Japanese-born chef Masaki Saito runs the only Toronto spot that received two shiny stars. His $680-a-head restaurant wowed critics with masterfully executed menus steeped in Japanese tradition. THE PERFECTIONIST Alo Food Group founder Patrick Kriss was busy opening Alder at the new Ace Hotel when he earned a star each for the flawless French fare at Alo and Aloette. Alo’s Christopher Sealy was also named Sommelier of the Year. THE CHEF’S CHEFS Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth, the husband-and-wife team behind Edulis, earned both a star and a service award. Their restaurant, which emphasizes quality over…

WRAPAROUND SUNGLASSES Stare unblinking into the soul of 2023 with the style and confidence of a supermodel thanks to Lexxola’s Bella Hadid–approved Neo sunglasses. lexxola.com BLUETOOTH BOOM BOX Kick it anywhere with the Anker Sound-core Motion Boom Plus, a water-resistant speaker with powerful sound. soundcore.com Faux-fur bucket hat $327 / They’re not just for summer anymore thanks to Ukrainian designer Ruslan Baginskiy. (Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid will surely be thrilled.) ruslanbaginskiy.com Winter Chelsea boots $340 / Handmade in Portugal, Maguire’s winter-friendly Chelsea boots have a removable sheepskin lining and an extra thick sole. maguireshoes.com Professional webcam $408 / The Opal C1 rivals DSLR cameras in quality and will be appreciated by anyone who wants to look good on video calls. opalcamera.com CD rugs $250 / Toronto multi-hyphenate Sean Brown’s…

BLUE-RIBBON BROWNIES After stints at restaurants in New York and London, chef Marchelle McKenzie returned home to give brownies a glow-up with her new baked goods business, Butter and Spice. Her gooey Earl Grey squares—dark chocolate brownies layered with tea-infused custard and topped with crackling brulée sugar crust—are bursting with bergamot. It’s one of six flavours featured in her Christmas Brownie Box, along with a candy cane creation awesomely named Brace Your Elf. $25. butterandspice.ca MICHELADA MUST-HAVES Tangy, citrusy and spicy, the Mexican michelada may smack of summer, but it’s ideal for any festive fiesta. Recreate the savoury cocktail with Fonda Balam’s mix and rimmer set, or use the rimmer to flavour-boost soups, fruit and snacks—some piquant popcorn, perhaps? $14 for the mix, $9 for the rimmer. fondabalam.com A GRAB…

ANNAHID DASHTGARD Writer and CEO of Anima Leadership THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS “This Mindy Kaling project displays her signature flair for taking white narratives and refreshing them with diverse actors. My inner college girl cheers when I see the representation of different racial identities without race being their primary character trait.” ELKE RUBACH Principal of Rubach Wealth THE INFINITE GAME BY SIMON SINEK “Sinek’s books are always a treat. I like how this one reminds you of the importance of being clear and steadfast—but not stubborn—about who you are as a leader. He argues that having an abundance mindset makes organizations work more smoothly.” PATRICK HAKEEM Comedian DAVE “This series is about a suburban man who is convinced that he is destined to be one of the best…

Food for Thought Restaurant owners, cooks, servers and patrons all seemed to have opinions about “No, Chef,” our October cover story on how to fix the city’s beleaguered restaurant industry. “I grew up in the hotel business in Switzerland, did a three-year kitchen apprenticeship and got my diploma from the hotel management school in Lausanne (still the world’s most recognized). “Of the 27 industry insiders interviewed for your restaurant package, only Kate Chomyshyn and Altair Vincent addressed the outdated tipping system. This was changed ages ago in Switzerland, and it worked because it was done by the government and everyone changed at the same time. One price, tax and tip included! “Why should anyone’s livelihood depend on the good or bad mood of a patron who may not have liked…

IT HAPPENED LAST MONTH: A LOOSE CHRONOLOGY…

After two years of Covid-induced mayhem, Toronto spent 2022 chasing stability. Voters handed Doug Ford a second term. John Tory won a third. The city’s proverbial dial stayed tuned to the comforting sound of Drake doing what he always does: crushing streaming records like they’re overpriced bottles of champagne. If you closed your eyes and plugged your ears, this year felt oddly normal. But, as the pandemic abated, new hazards emerged. Everything went up: the price of gas, the cost of feeding a family, the possibility of a third world war. (One notable exception: the Rogers network, which very much went down.) Lion-hearted journalists uncovered disturbing truths about the country’s most cherished sport, and Indigenous activists refused to let Canadians—or the Pope—ignore the darkest chapters of the nation’s past. The…

THE VIDEO GAMER Steven Salz, a former competitive gamer, cofounded Rivalry as a platform to gamble on games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2. The company has since branched into traditional sports betting, but e-sports remain its specialty. THE NORTHERN STAR Last October, Paul Rivett and Jordan Bitove—the now-feuding owners of Torstar—hired Michael Moskowitz, a former Panasonic and XM Canada CEO, to lead NorthStar Gaming, their entrant into the gambling landscape. THE ACCOUNTANT Jared Beber worked at Ernst & Young and a software company before taking over Sports Venture Holdings, the parent of Bet99, the gambling behemoth that struck endorsement deals with Auston Matthews and Georges St-Pierre. THE HEAVY HITTER The Australia-based bookmaker PointsBet hired Scott Vanderwel, a former Rogers VP, to lead its Canadian operations. He scored a coveted multi-year…

THE STAR ON ICE The Leafs promoted four-time Olympic gold medallist Hayley Wickenheiser, probably the best female ice hockey player ever, to assistant general manager, making her the fourth woman in NHL history to achieve AGM status. THE UNION BOSS Labour activist Lana Payne was elected national president of Unifor, Canada’s biggest private-sector union, in August. On her to-do list: restoring faith in the union and fighting for wage increases that match inflation. THE TOP COP Toronto’s new police chief, Myron Demkiw, is a 32-year veteran with experience overseeing the homicide, hold-up and guns-and-gangs units. On his agenda: repairing police relations with the Black and LGBTQ communities. THE HEALTH HONCHO Sarah Downey, the former president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital, recently took the top job at CAMH, which is…

Kushy fragrance $134 / Boy Smells—who take a gender-inclusive approach—turned their Kush candles into a trio of cannabis-inflected fragrances. boysmells.com PREP SCHOOL FOR DJS Creating vibes may well be the only recognized currency in 20 years, so give the little Khaleds in your life a head start with the DJ Mix & Spin Studio from Hape. littlecanadian.ca Travel guide $68 / From mullets to mermaids, Florida—and Florida!, a new guide to the weirdest state in the USA—has something for everyone. shop.a24films.com Flannel shirt $165 / This ultra-soft hand-brushed shirt is by Portuguese Flannel, a family-run business based in the textile town of Guimarães, Portugal. parkprovince.com Lost buildings print $65 / These 18 iconic Toronto buildings, each destroyed over the past century, can now live on forever. thelabouroflove.ca Daria shorts $75…

MOST OF THE TIME, it’s reasonable to assume that what happens in Vegas stays there. But, when you’re Simu Liu, what happens in Vegas gets captured for posterity on dozens of cellphone cameras and uploaded to TikTok and Instagram for the enjoyment of millions of fans. That was the case this past October, when Liu and his two BFFs headed to the city of sin for a quick bros’ trip. It had been an intense stretch for Liu—movie premieres, promotional appearances, hosting gigs, the launch of his memoir, film shoots, guest appearances, a celeb basketball tournament and some heartache. The actor was long overdue for downtime and a getaway with his boys, all pals he’s known since high school. They hung out poolside at VIP resorts, caught Usher’s residency at…

THE ONLINE GOURMAND Jamie Milne, a former teacher, shares her recipes for delicious, easy-to-make dishes like broccoli cheddar soup, chicken parmesan sliders and spicy salmon rice bowls. The artful clips rack up millions of views from her devoted followers, including Jessica Alba. THE BEAUTY QUEEN A decade ago, when Stephanie Valentine was a court clerk, the best part of her day was putting on lipstick and posting about it online. Now she’s a big-time beauty influencer with her own blush who posts makeup tutorials and product reviews. THE TEEN CHANTEUSE This year, 19-year-old singer Nicolina Bozzo documented her ascent to American Idol’s top five on TikTok, posting behind-the-scenes clips like a sing-along with will.i.am. By year’s end, Bozzo was a certified star, headlining her own show at the Velvet Underground.…

When my wife and daughter were killed in Iran’s downing of Flight PS752, my life was thrown into total darkness. I will do whatever it takes to bring the corrupt regime to justice. The death of Mahsa Amini only intensified my resolve I FIRST SAW Parisa in the mid-1990s, while she was standing in line to register for dentistry school at Iran’s University of Tabriz. I was enrolling in the same program, and I was immediately drawn to her style. The regime of the Islamic republic, which had swept into power during the 1979 revolution, mandated that all women and girls over the age of nine wear a hijab in public. If they refused, they risked fines, lashings and imprisonment. Women also had to wear manteaux—long, loose coats that covered…

The holidays are here. And after a few years of virtual dinners and socially distanced soirees, sitting shoulder to shoulder and splitting a bottle of wine with our nearest and dearest is just what we need. Sure, you could set out the usual spread, whether that’s a turkey feast or a buffet-style scramble. But why not elevate your holiday fare this season with a decadent, four-course meal, complete with complementary wines? Josh Cellars offers wine for every occasion. There are bubbles to make the season merry and bright, and big, bold reds to sip fireside. The wines are a nod to founder Joseph Carr’s father, so expect each bottle to be well balanced, exacting in quality and made with his (and your) family in mind. This season, we’re opting for…