On March 8th, we’ll be celebrating 100 years of International Women’s Day. Food is generally at the core of all great celebrations, and this day will be no exception. Toronto’s finest women chefs are coming together at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (85 Hanna Ave) to embrace their success in the industry, and prepare the succulent feast ‘Kitchen Sisters’ to raise money for a new kitchen at Sistering.

Sistering has been serving hot meals to homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto since 1981. Recently, they have experienced a 40% increase in the number of women seeking food and assistance. In order to meet the increasing demand, Sistering must expand its kitchen and storage facilities.

Kitchen Sisters is at the top of our list of ways to celebrate International Women’s Day. I mean, it’s not every day we get a chance to indulge in decadent experience of food and wine and say it made a difference in our community. In the few weeks leading up to the event we’ll be hearing from the chefs involved and learning about more than their resumes.

This week, I spoke with Christine Bib, owner of Christine Bib Catering.

On the menu for Kitchen Sisters, Christine has created the second course: A Cedar Planked Maple Spiced Ontario Rainbow Trout with Flageolet Puree

SDTC: Salty or sweet?
Christine: Love the combination of both – nuts with chocolate, watermelon with feta…

Was there a specific moment in your life that made you realize you wanted to become a chef?
Over 4 decades ago, when I got my first Easy Bake Oven!

What’s your best advice for a woman who is just starting out in this industry?
Whether it’s a dominating coworker, or a dish you’ve never made before, don’t let yourself be intimidated.

Sistering is all about helping out those in need. What is a simple act of kindness that you value when it comes to day-to-day life in the city?
We always seem to be in a rush in the city – taking a few minutes to experience another person, whether it’s commenting on a nice jacket, or lending an ear to someone who needs to talk, assisting someone who is having trouble due to a language barrier, or simply smiling and saying hello to someone you pass on the street.

If you had to eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
Not a fair question for a chef!

What excites you most in the kitchen?
I get very excited using seasonal local ingredients. Not necessarily rare or gourmet; Ontario tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches and wild blueberries are a few favourites.

You can teach or take a cooking course anywhere in the world. Where would you go?
That’s tough! I guess it would be a toss up between France & Italy, Australia & Canada.

Kitchen Sisters Tickets are priced at $500, $1,000 for the VIP Chef’s Table, and can be purchased from Sistering at 416.926.9762 ext. 243.

~Vanessa Brazeau