Culture

“For Super Bowl 2025 it was wings, ribs and nachos topped with a hearty helping of ground beef; next week for Super Bowl 2026 it will be turkey chili!” declares South Leasider Todd Godin. His …more

“Jollof rice is something to look forward to,” says Olawami Abidoye. She is referring to the spicy traditional dish famous in West Africa. Like Olawami, her recipe for Jollof hails from Nigeria, Africa’s most populous …more

“My grandma Turner’s shortbread recipe is as much a part of Christmas as the tree,” declares Susan Parr, an area resident with deep family roots. Her great-grandfather built his first home on Bayview – originally …more

“I remember diyas (small oil lamps), new clothes and much delicious food during Diwali – and sweets, always sweets,” recalls Sneha Shekar. “And one of the tastiest and easiest to make is milk cake.” Sneha …more

Last year Canadians spent some $1.64 billion on Halloween. Pretty scary, right? And that might make you think North Americans “invented” the holiday (which isn’t technically a holiday since it doesn’t involve a day off). …more

In Austria they are called palatschinke; in Serbia, they are palacinka. No matter the name, they are delicious crepes stuffed with either a sweet or savoury filling. Their origins are Greco-Roman with the first written …more

“Piirakka” is Finnish for comfortably delicious Each month we cover a Leasider’s special dish with a hearty side order of narrative. Quick, name four things for which Finland is renowned: sauna, Marimekko clothing, architectural design …more

“For the longest time I only ever knew them as Mrs. Assad’s Chocolate Slices,” says Lorna Krawchuk, long-time Leasider, publisher of Leaside Life, and former East York Councillor for what was then called Ward 4, …more

Each month we cover a Leasider’s special dish with a hearty side order of narrative. It happens 10 times a school year, draws crowds, smells yummy and has become an institution at Leaside High School. …more