Cyprus vs Napoli - Battle of the Pizzas! | Fri Jun 7 - SOLD OUT

About this experience

We are excited to welcome back the talented Irene Matys - and her co-chef/dad, Nick Ttofalli - for a friendly (but deadly serious!) contest between two warring styles of pizza: Napoletana and "Cipriota" (aka Cypriot). 

If you know Irene and Nick's family story, you know the Ttofalli's came from Cyprus as refugees in the 1970s before settling in Sarnia, where Nick bought a local pizzeria (Ciccio's Pizza) and created a unique style of sesame seed crusted pizza that plays tribute to his Mediterranean roots. Nick’s pizza career was inspired from another legendary Canadian pizza maker: his friend Sam Panopoulos, the Greek-born, Chatham, Ontario restauranteur who created the controversial and world famous Hawaiian pizza!

So just how good is Nick's Cyprus-inspired pizza? According to longtime customers, friends and family it's as good - maybe better - as any Italian style pizza. So tonight we're putting it to the test: it's East versus West Mediterranean, Sarnia versus Toronto, in our first ever Battle of the Pizzas! 

During tonight's fundraising competition, Nick and Irene will go peel-to-peel with chef/pizza maker Bruno di Sarno, proudly representing the pizza he grew up with in his native Naples. Each chef will prepare three represtentative styles for us to sample, along with wine and beer pairings provided and explained by Kolonaki Wines & Spirits, and an assortment of Greek & Italian desserts from Serano bakery and Cucinato. 

Guests will meet the chefs, see them make their pizzas and explain their craft, and answer any questions you have. 

Revenues from this event will go to support The Stop Community Food Centre!

THE COMPETITION  

On the line tonight are awards for Best Individual Pizza, Best Style of Pizza, and Peaple's Choice Pizza selected by our guests.   

MENU 

Cypriot Pizza's by Nick & Irene Matys  

• Hot Honey Caramelized Pineapple and Red Onion, roasted porchetta, feta and mozzarella with tomato sauce.
• Tomato, mozzarella, dried mint, grated homemade halloumi cheese with tomato sauce.
• Meat lovers, pepperoni, ham, bacon, mushrooms and green peppers, mozzarella with tomato sauce.

Neapolitan Pizzas by Bruno di Sarno 

• Bufala - Tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil  
• Boscaiola – Mixed mushroom, roasted shallots and (optional) sausage
• Alla diavola – Tomato, fior di latte, ‘nduja, and black olives

Desserts 

• Fresh piped cannoli
• Loukoumades (Greek honey donuts) with Leonidas Chocolate

Wines (included in ticket price) 

• A selection of Cypriot and Italian wines 

ABOUT THE STOP 

The Stop Community Food Centre strives to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community, and challenges inequality. The Stop is a thriving community hub where neighbors participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, foster social connections, build food skills, and promote civic engagement. We believe that nutritious, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food is a human right for all. Our work is built upon three pillars: emergency food access, community building, and urban agriculture.

Across three locations and multiple community gardens in Toronto’s West End, The Stop provides access to healthy, nutritious local food (over 60,000 meals served annually) and green space; delivers a suite of custom community kitchen and garden programs; and builds health, skills, and community across Toronto.

FAQS 

Is this a cooking class? No, it's a sit-down meal. Although it will be intimate and interactive like all our events! 

Are the wine pairings included with the price of the dinner ticket? Yes. 

Will there be other (including non alcoholic) drinks available for purchase? Yes 

THANK YOU ...

To our event collaborators - Kolonaki Wines and Spirits, Plan B Organics (Hamilton), Florence Meats (Oakville) and Serano Bakery 

TERMS & CONDITIONS 

• No refunds after purchase
• Exchanges (one per ticket) permitted up to 5 days prior to the event.
• Tickets to Cucinato events are transferable - you can give them to someone else if you can’t attend (but please notify Cucinato in advance!)
• We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs – please contact us before booking