Tasting Together

"I think more people die worrying about how safe our food is, then actually how safe the food is." - Dennis Bulani

Saskatchewan farmer Dennis Bulani is on a mission to demystify everything that there is to do with farming in North America. Discussing where our food comes from is like opening a Pandora's box, where words like GMO, pesticides, monofarming, local, and organic fly out and about. But how much do we as consumers actually understand what all these terms mean? And do we realize how a humble commodity like canola oil could, in fact...

When Miroki asked André what he did during his weekend Montreal trip, he said, "not much"...until he started jotting down some notes. Planning a family trip with a toddler means not everything can be wholly centered around food and drink, so a trip to the Biodome had to happen to see the penguins.

And although André has been known to enjoy his fine plates, this trip focused on great bites that were not only wallet friendly, but also lived up to the hype. Bonus points when wife Anja is a pastry chef and knows where to...

Season 4 of Tasting Together launches with a wine episode! Rioja was one of Miroki's first glimpses into what terroir meant in winemaking. After speaking with Clément Gallois, the Canadian Rioja DOCa representative, both her and André learn that the meaning of terroir has taken on a whole new meaning in recent years as the DOCa gave permission to list specific villages. This has provided wine enthusiasts the opportunity to really explore Rioja's granularities. André was hoping to get a Rioja 101 and head out of the episode with newfound knowledge to grab some choice bottles - but it turns out...

Most of us have had some sort of adversial relationship with tequila, but both Miroki and André have discovered its magic over the years. Far from the bad stuff pounded back in university, tequila, like all fine spirits, can be the complex result of terroir, distillation, and small batch practices.

They may be aficionados of the drink, but Katy O'Donnell, VP, Brand Development at Tequila Tromba, along with Grayce Yuen, VP, Finance, blow Miroki and André's minds through a tasting of Tromba's tequilas, from the terroir driven blancos and elegantly barrel aged reposados and añejo...

Miroki is away, so André is joined by guest host Guillaume Frénéhard — his business partner at 80x Wine Company, local foodie and snobby Frenchman. Guillaume recently made an annual pilgrimage to the CNE, and armed with blogTO’s rundown of the wildest new foods, made it his mission to eat his way through the Ex. From a foot-long butter chicken taquito to lobster on a stick has CNE food finally moved past “gross for the sake of gross” and back toward being genuinely creative — and delicious?

Then, from carnival food to decidedly finer dining. André and Gui...

She didn't necessarily traverse many galaxies to smuggle in goods, but when Miroki spotted a bottle of one of André's beloved bourbons during a trip in the states, she agreed to cart it back for him. But perhaps her efforts mean little, as rumours are circulating that US alcohol may find their way back on Canadian shelves soon. Is this the move we want though? A recent Nanos survey says otherwise. Miroki and André discuss the rise of local wine over the last year, and whether it has made enough of an impact to stay.

Sp...

André and Miroki are joined by André’s younger brother Gilbert - and his two young sons Tristan and Kylin - to talk about the challenges and surprises of travelling through Europe with a self-described picky eater. Gilbert explains how his family balances adventurous eating with food aversions, texture sensitivities and the reality that sometimes not everyone wants to eat at the same restaurant.

They also dig into how childhood food experiences shape our tastes, why “picky eater” can mean very different things to different people, and how a little flexibility can help families create great travel m...

André joins Miroki diving into his recent trip to Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where he put Canada's 100 Best Bars list to the test. He visited two spots on the list - The Narrows Public House (#12) and Dear Friend (#15) - and while The Narrows delivered a great, cozy meal, it was Dear Friend that truly blew him away. They take a look at what it takes to get on these lists - and how it feels when you find that restaurant that delivers a near flawless experience.

Places visited/mentioned -

Canada's 100 Best Bars

Happy Canada Day from Tasting Together! We’re reaching into the way-back machine for one of our favourite episodes from our radio days: a Canada Day special that unpacks a hard to define question — What is Canadian food?

André and Miroki dig into a deeper conversation about Canadian identity, multiculturalism, reconciliation, and the way food carries history, culture, and politics whether we like it or not.

They’re joined by Chef Tawnya Brant, a Mohawk Nation chef helping revive the traditional foods of the Haudenosaunee, for a thoughtful and delicious conversation about Indigenous cuisine...

This episode is a litteral roller coaster - starting on a high note as Miroki got the opportunity to check out Playa Bowls a new restaurant that opens in Toronto on June 18. They then reflect on nomad culture - and proper etiquette when camping out in a coffee shop - especially given that so many restaurants are in a tough financial spot these days. And move to entertaining - André has been itching to get out the smoker - but the price of beef is ... well insane.

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

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André joins Miroki fresh from a short trip to the east coast. He had a chance to visit two wineries in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. He had a chance to visit Benjamin Bridge, and Lightfoot and Wolfville. There were many surprising moments he experienced while visiting the wineries - but none were more surprising than when he tasted a sparkling Rosé from Benjamin Bridge that gave him goosebumps. He was further moved tasting the still hybrid wines from Lightfoot and Wolfville. These delicious wines got him thinking about the way we look at hybrid grapes - and ho...

The cocktail scene has come a long way since Strawberry Daiquiris and Sex on the Beaches. Toronto has become especially rich with innovative cocktail spots, a number of which recently made it into's Canada's Best 100. Miroki was particularly thrilled to learn that Suite 115, the place that currently makes her favourite cocktail (what is it?), is among the other prestigious locations on the list.

She and André catch up with Suite 115 co-founder Oliver Leung to see if they can figure out the secret sauce behind their delicious beverages, how they stand out in a sea of talented m...

As wine aficionados, Miroki and André are always asked what is their favourite wine? If you don't know André's, you may have been sleeping on previous Tasting Together episodes. Miroki, however, has often said her favourite depends on her mood...until you see how her eyes light up when Syrah is mentioned.

When folks talk about Rhône wines, it's often in reference to Southern Rhône, with its very warm climate yielding wines of jammy and stewed fruit ripeness. Northern Rhône is made of different stuff. At a recent media event, André connects with s...

Argentinian Malbec is, without a doubt, a cornerstone for Canadian wine drinkers...Canada is Argentina's 4th largest global export market! With Malbec World Day having recently passed on April 17th, Miroki and André are reminded about the quality that Argentine wines present for the dollar.

But there is so much more to the story of Argentine Malbec. It has a rich history from when the grapes first arrived in the 1850s, evolving over the years to embrace a large range of styles from fresh and unoaked to big and powerful. More importantly, there is a cultural a...

If you look at all of André's favourite dishes, you would think that chili would naturally be a part of his regular menu. Surprisingly, it's not! Not for the combination of ingredients, but from a lingering, unpleasant childhood memory.

Meanwhile, why did Miroki polish off every, single grain of rice from all her plates as a child, while her sister would stubbornly sit at the table with half-eaten meals until the cows came home?

There is some science behind all of it. André and Miroki unpack the flavours and textures that make th...

Trigger and content warning: In this episode, we discuss violence, which includes sexual assault.

Hot kitchens. Sharp Knives. Loud voices. Cuss words. Those are the hallmarks of the back of house in a restaurant. And while there has been a level of glorification to being able to survive being toughened up the kitchens, the lines have too often crossed into abuse. A major shortcuming in the hospitality industry is its inability to take care of victims of abuse, many who remain silent for fear of being blacklisted.

Such is the story of the...

Do you think you shop and eat local?

What if we told you that to eat food sourced solely in Canada, that you would be giving up staples like olive oil, lemons, vanilla, and even black pepper?

That's exactly the mission that Chef Hunter Guindon of The Table Culinary Studio has undertaken. Nestled in rural PEI, his restaurant stimulates the senses with an intimate 7 course dinner featuring not only 100% Canadian ingredients, but also a 100% Canadian wine list. Open for only 5 months of the year, diners book months in advance for an opportunity to...

As comedian Ronny Chieng says, "Gong Hay Fat Choy" isn't "Happy New Year"...it's "Hope you get rich!"

Whether it's Miroki's Cantonese Lunar New Year celebrations, Vietnamese Tết, or Korean Seollal, festivities are in full swing during this period. As a first generation Chinese-Canadian, it's wonderful that Baker Joe of Wai Tack Kee is keeping Miroki's shelves full of delicious traditional Cantonese snacks. His daughter Audrey Tam joins us on Tasting Together to speak about Joe's journey from Hong Kong to Canada, and how their family business brings prosperity into homes all across the GTA th...

Temperatures are frigid, but the month is hot with events and activities galore. Miroki and André give you a rundown of what’s exciting in February in Toronto and the surrounding region. Winterlicious will be just wrapping up, so now is the time to enjoy a great prix fixe in Toronto. André has found a new appreciation for spending a night out with Anja for Valentine’s Day, though he isn’t dining at the local institution in Hamilton. Why is that? Meanwhile, Miroki has found a way to stay warm in Waterdown. Less than an hour from Toronto, Terra Gr...

January is generally a pretty blue kind of month, especially when the bombshell is dropped that 4000 restaurants will close by the end of the year. Emotions run high as customers and industry workers alike debate the reasons, trying to find one major factor to point the finger at. But sometimes the reasons lie in places we never consider. This is why we wanted to ask the best expert in the field. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, aka The Food Professor, brings his research based expertise to this episode to help us answer some burning questions, and peel back some layers to...

André is not participating in Dry January this year. Miroki has never done it. Both discuss their relationship with alcohol as industry workers, and why going cold turkey for a month may not (or might?) be a sustainable decision to recalibrate drinking habits. Meanwhile, a sandwich has traveled all the way from Italian Star Deli in Regina, Saskatchewan to Toronto just so Miroki could see what the hype is all about. Will this sandwich change her life like how André predicted?

Listen to: The Triumph Of Mom and Pop Sho…–Tasting Together – Apple Podcasts

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As you tune into this episode on New Year’s Eve, you suddenly realize, “Sacré bleu! I didn’t get any sparkling wine to toast in the New Year!” Well, don’t you worry, Miroki and Andre have gotchu. From baller Champagnes tasted this year, the last great secret deal hidden in Ontario *cough* sparkling wine *cough*, fun and fancy free Prosecco, they will keep you well stocked for the celebration whether your budget is $15 or $500, while also reminding you that, no, it’s not all Champagne. 

Thank you for a fantastic 2025 and 3 years of Tasting Together! Happ...

The holidays can be both a wonderful and chaotic time of year. What is Miroki and André doing to make Christmas and Hanukkah with their families a time of joy? Maybe it’s using the right kitchen tools to make cooking turkey a breeze (pssst André tells you what it is). Maybe it’s planning out the perfect white elephant so no one ends up with a strange reject mug. The two reflect on what is the most important as festivities begin. They also recall their preview visit to Stone Eagle Winery earlier in the fall, a new luxury wine e...

The cider scene may be on fire right now, but if we said apple wine vs cider, I think a few of us would suddenly don our snob caps. Either thought of as too sugary, or poorly made, fruit wine has had a bit of a bad rap. But Miroki has frequented Kawartha Country Wines up in Ontario’s cottage country since 2012, and has enjoyed a delicious array of wines made of everything from blueberries, rhubarb and even pumpkin! She finally had a chance to sit down with founder John Rufa to discuss the many intricacies that not many th...

Andre has never liked caviar. Miroki has wanted to like it, but didn’t understand the hype from the ones that she’s tasted. That was before Grégoire Doulain of Axyon showed up and bewitched them both. A purveyor of truffles, caviar, cured meats, oysters and pantry, Grégoire is no stranger to the finer foods in life, and convincing you that it’s worth lightening up your wallet for these goodies. He shares his unbridled passion in this interview, teaches great tips on how to buy, and digs into some of the complexities of importing these ingredients.

It’s been one year since Miroki got married, and she’s been reflecting on some of the crazy decisions she made to make her wedding the best it could be. Luckily, she had the very talented wedding planner Trevor Frankfort supporting her. Now, Trevor is back with his 2nd Best Wedding Ever Competition! From venue, to food, to cake, to flowers, one lucky couple will win the wedding of their dreams. Cast your vote at trevents.ca/vote!

Another competition is also underway, but with four wheels. Glenfiddich has partnered with the Canadian owned Formula One...

The most terrifying Halloween wine story is shared this episode - that of pairing candy with wine. Has anyone who has written about it actually tried and enjoyed it? Miroki and Andre want to know. Miroki would much rather be pairing wine with her catches from her crabbing adventures out in British Columbia. Learn how to sustainably catch crabs, fish and forage mushrooms. If procuring your own food isn’t for you, Miroki also shares her top spots to visit while visiting the greater Vancouver area. Be sure to add them to your next trip out west!

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Andre has been lamenting about summer being over, and clearly the deities heard - how has the spectacularly warm fall been affecting grape harvest for wine? Speaking of harvest season, there's lots of festivities happening, from Oktoberfest in Kitchener to the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays. Discover an array of family and adult activities at the second largest Oktoberfest in the world next to Munich, learn why anything pairs with turkey and why a really old, sweet Gewurztraminer is the perfect accompaniment to the spices of a pumpkin or apple pie. 

More about Kitchener-Waterloo's Oktoberfest: https://www.oktoberfest.c...

Where's the best places to eat? The latest Michelin guide for Toronto has been released - check out the list of new restaurants, and some of Miroki and Andre's shoutouts.

Wanna win an all inclusive wedding worth $211,000? Miroki's incredible wedding planner, Trevor Frankfort is hosting a competition for one lucky couple. Enter by Fri. Sept. 26: https://trevents.ca/bestweddingever2

Hopefully André doesn’t jinx what is looking like a stellar vintage in Niagara - Harvest is underway and while there is less fruit to go around the quality looks great. He sat down wit...

Last November, André visited the north of Portugal in the search of great, food friendly wine. Vinho Verde - is a region that he visited in 2017 - and it made an impact on him. He felt the need to return. While this was recorded Miroki was planning her own trip to Portugal. Vinho Verde is on so many wine lists in the North - is this region really an underdog? André thinks so - but Miroki isn't convinced.

Learn more about Vinho Verde - https://www.winesofportugal.com/en/discover/wine-regions/vinho-verde/

Wineries vi...

Miroki and André spent a whirlwind weekend at the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. Miroki proposed that before we showed up - we should ask people 'What is the future of Chardonnay?' Such a broad question had so much to unpack. As the podcast unfurled, it became apparent that there is so much more to talk about that goes much further than just Chardonnay, from where the wine market is headed, different generations of drinkers, emerging regions, to the impact of climate change.

They spoke with :

Clive Pursehouse the US Editor at Decanter...

Miroki and André return from a much needed break to discuss a few things that have popped up in the news ...

First - Miroki is in the final hours of a Kickstarter for her day job - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rockpapercynic/dnd-party-game

Second - We learned that André and Miroki are human garbage dumps when it comes to what they will eat - https://www.idrlabs.com/food-disgust/test.php

Lastly - Everyone is trying to figure out what is broken in the wine industry - did this article making th...

Let's keep this note short and sweet - André and Miroki are taking a short break for the summa! We will cya in a couple of weeks!

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Miroki had the chance to catch the recent Weird Al show at the Budweiser stage - and she had some thoughts on the hospitality offered.

Miroki and André finally catch up on the same continent - and they go through what they are looking forward to about i4C. You can still grab a last minute ticket by visiting https://www.coolchardonnay.org

Last André shares a memory of his time spent with the late Nicolas Potel of Domaine Roche de Bellene who recently passed away - We offer condolences to the Potel fa...

Miroki is still on the road - but André has been busy doing work for i4C - which is coming up quickly.

Take a listen to the first episode of the Cool Sip -

Jeff Moote has been a long time attendee at i4C. First as a volunteer and paid guest - this year he will be joining the event as a producer. Jeff has been making outstanding wines under his Divergence label for a few years now - and the word is getting out. André Proulx sits down with Jeff to...

André catches up with Chef Edgar Trudeau who will be representing Canada at the Clos Vougeot in October where he will be attempting to make the worlds best Oeufs en Meurette.

Miroki has some thoughts on food she has experienced in Portugal and Greece.

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

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André is back in Canada - Miroki is still in Europe - she has some thoughts on what it was like to travel by train from Paris to Barcelona. What's the best way to pack a suitcase when bringing wine and food home from your travels? And sadly, someone lost a bottle of wine to breakage in their luggage.

Restaurants mentioned

https://www.tasquinhadalinda.com/

https://taverne-paillette.com/

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

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Miroki and her husband Eric joined André and his family (Anja and Spencer) on their trip to Champagne. Earlier this year we had a chat with Alina and Kyle about bringing a toddler with them to France - and it eased André's nerves. While there were definitely some challenges ... It has been a good trip. Consider this episode a teaser of what's to come after some great food and wine was consumed in Epernay and Reims.

Listen to our episode with Alina and Kyle a.k.a @Travelmilove - https://embed.acast.com/6511c60bfcda220011a8...

Both Miroki and Andre are lovers of whisk(e)y, but how much do they know, outside of the fact that Scotch spells it “whisky”? Miroki had a chance to attend a UK tasting that featured drams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. Plus, she catches up with Foxes Bow co-founder, Tony Foote, to talk about how they are reinventing the image of Irish whiskey, and Jamie Johnson, Ambassador for Glenfiddich and Balvenie, to discuss why Scotch is such a household name globally and why women are STILL dealing with gatekeeping in the whisk(e)y world?

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Miroki and André catch up while Miroki is still on the road celebrating passover with her in-laws in Massachusetts. The Easter Bunny visited Spencer for the first time - with a large basket of chocolate. How are Americans coping with tariff's on the horizon - and 15$ eggs in the grocery stores...

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

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