HOME COOKED - CHEF JEREMY DENNIS (PARQUET)

“To just connect with the past and not play and create our own identity… I think would just be a great loss.”

Jeremy (head chef of Parquet, a French bistro in Toronto) has always done things his way; whether it’s experimenting with his beats or reinterpreting classic dishes, he doesn’t shy away from trying something new. But there’s a trade-off to doing something different⁣.

THE SHOP - Michelle Organ

"It's interesting to spend a lot of time on one item and then hand it off to someone and have it live in their space. I wonder how they're using it." 

Had the pleasure of meeting Michelle of The Shop and learning about her relationship with clay, her process and her future.

Making something tangible for another person often means learning to part with it, which isn't always easy for artists who pour their heart into their work. Michelle finds comfort in knowing her pieces are being put to good use, as they shape the space that they now live in.

CHINATOWN BIA - PEOPLE HAIR SALON

“No matter the race, people all like to look clean, pretty, and sharp.”

People Hair Salon has served generations of families over the past few decades, and has cemented itself as a community staple. In a way, it's through hair which Ni truly embraced the diversity of our city. Regardless of race or age, he's here to serve the community.

“Biodiversity is a very abstract concept until you actually see it.”

In the spirit of community giving, Manulife Centre invited Grade 6 students from Rose Avenue Public School, their guardians, and teachers to learn about sustainability and healthy living. Guests were invited to Manulife Centre’s rooftop urban farm to learn about biodiversity and take part in a fall harvest withpartners from MicroHabitat.

HOME COOKED - CHEF CRAIG WONG (PATOIS)

“There’s no way that somebody could eat that food and not understand a little bit more about me.”

Craig Wong of Patois shares a couple of nostalgic dishes as he reflects on identity and the power of food in bringing people together.

UNPLUGGED - TOM FIDGEN

“Enjoy what you can, and don’t worry about what you can’t.”

Tom Fidgen is a woodworker who creates strictly with hand tools (no power tools/machinery). In the time I got to spend with him, I learned about his creative process, fueled by the importance of balancing precision with flexibility to do what you want creatively (sometimes not knowing how the final product will turn out).

This idea resonated with me in my own work, and also got me thinking about this philosophy outside of art. In the face of uncertainty, how do we come to terms with the fact that things don't always go as planned?

myodetox - physiotherapy in nigeria

“There’s this kind of desire that people really want in change.”

Physiotherapist Rebecca travels to Nigeria to connect and share knowledge with fellow physiotherapists in the country.

Chronic ink - beauty comes custom

“What is beauty? "

Tattoo artist Tristen Zhang takes us on a visual journey as he adds an artistic touch to an Aston Martin.

DRAGON CENTRE (PASSION PROJECT, SUBTITLED)

“I do feel an attachment to this place, I’ll miss it.”

As a Chinese immigrant growing up in Scarborough, Dragon Centre was a big part of my childhood. My grandma and I would walk 20 minutes there nearly every morning for dim sum, and its food court also became my go-to fried dumpling spot as a kid. Today, the food court stall (Hung Food Cooking) has shifted from fried dumplings to Filipino lechon and fried chicken. They're now the last stall left in the food court of Dragon Centre, a once prominent Asian shopping plaza that's now nearing its last days. Though the shop has changed, I still had a feeling of familiarity chatting with the current owner. Shops come and go, but seeing local establishments close always hurts a little more.

CHINATOWN BIA - PLAY DE RECORD

“Everything’s coming in a circle.”

Play de Record owner Eugene shares his love of records, and insight into how this tangible medium remains relevant today.