magpies

Pictures of CIA in Greystone

The CIA is one of the most renowned culinary schools in the area. I was lucky enough to get a last minute, behind the scene tour of the cooking school I would have loved to have had the opportunity to attend. My friend, Tim, took a security job at the school. He invited some friends and I to have lunch. We dressed appropriately, thinking we would be eating in the famed restaurant, attached to the school. When we arrived, we were shuffled through the employee entrance and given security permission to entering the school. Tim and the Security Chief, walked upstairs to the student/employee kitchen. In the kitchen the students get the experience of cooking for a crowd, just like working in a restaurant. The lunch rush was winding down but there was still plenty of food available. Tim allowed us to gather a plate from the various station. You would think we would be disappointed by eating in the student kitchen but in fact it was a treat (for me at least). The kitchens were stacked with top of the line equipment and the students were busy preparing the next meal. It was thrilling to watch all the hussle and bussle! I filled my plate with all the pastries, I could. I made a turkey sandwich with fresh bread, home made mayo, fresh greens (from their garden), piled up the best potato salad and sat down to enjoy the feast. I then enjoyed a behind the scene tour of the teaching facilities and prep areas. If you ever get the chance to enjoy the grounds stop by. It is a beautiful setting and worth the drive.

Savory

Braised Chili-spiced short ribs with black beans $25 or $5/serving

beef short ribs, black beans, spices, onions

Maylasian Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice $25/pan or $5/serving

Coconut Cream, cinnamon, cloves, chicken (breast and thighs), curry leaves, jasmine rice, coriander, turmeric

Vegetarian

Grilled Herb Crusted Eggplant with a tomato sauce

panko bread crumbs, parm. cheese, fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs

Stuffed Pabalano Peppers $25/tray or $5/serving

Salads

Dill and Pickled Cucumber Salad $6/pint

Fresh dill, homemade mayo, potatoes, fresh dill, vinegar, radishes and cucumbers

Fruit Salad with Mint-Maple syrup $7/pint

Seasonal fruit with a cooked fresh mint and maple syrup

Breakfast

Nutella Swirls $4 for 3 rolls

Shortcrust pasty, filled with nutella and rolled with muscavado sugar and sliced like a cinnamon roll

Spanish Tortilla with Asparagus and Fennel $4/slice

Fresh asparagus, fennel, eggs and cheese

Dessert

Blueberry Sour Cream Pie $5/slice or $$15/pie

Fresh Blueberries, sour cream and a shortcrust pastry

Dark Chocolate Cheesecake $5/slice or $25/cheesecake

Bittersweet Chocolate, cream cheese, eggs, sugar

Lemon Ginger Creme Brulee $5/brulee

Lemons, ginger, cream, sugar, fresh ginger

Cherry-Almond Cobbler $6 for small cobbler (5inch)

Fresh Cherries, almond paste and a crispy top

Banana Butterscotch Cream Pie $4/slice or $15/pie

Cookie crust, bananas, cream, dark brown sugar, chocolate

Deliveries on Sunday from 9am - 11am