This week we are dishing out the goods on the woman behind Butter and Egg Road, the one and only Ivy Ackerman. She is passionate about food, film, art, music and design, and spends most of her time devoted to these areas. Ivy is a woman who believes in bringing everything she loves in life together and sharing it with others. This of course brings us too the creation of Butter and Egg Road, a concept that all began with an unforgettable evening in Paris. Ivy at the time was enjoying a weekend getaway, where she had the pleasure of meeting two wonderful couples at a local hotspot. Over the course of the dinner, they all had the chance to get to know each other and share stories about their lives as well as some great travel tips. Ivy knew that this memorable night was special and something that she wanted to re-create again and again; this was the evening that birthed the idea for Butter and Egg Road.
Bringing those who love to travel and experience things the way the locals do is precisely what Ivy strives to accomplish for her members with each Butter and Egg Road weekend. Hosting private dinner parties, and other cultural gatherings, in an intimate setting with no more that 20 members per event. Local chefs and artists are invited and encouraged to take part in events to provide insight of the city being featured. Butter and Egg road takes those who love to travel and brings them together in one place to offer them a chance to experience a new city as any native would.
Now Ivy may not be an Iron Chef in the kitchen, but it is her lack of culinary skills that gets her to go out and discover the best a city has to offer. This is precisely why we have chosen her to be our Friday’s Foodie. Her passion to hunt down the best local and hidden gems a city has to offer and share it with others. After you read this you’ll want to check out her site guaranteed! www.butterandeggroad.com
1. When and why did you start writing about food?
I launched Butter and Egg Road, a private traveling supper club, this past February 2012. Butter and Egg Road was born out of a love for food and travel and the desire to connect like-minded members to a city’s people, places, culture and culinary best as any local would.
2. What do you love most about food?
I suppose its ability to bring people together around a table. Of course, I love its power to nourish, heal, inspire and comfort, but it is foods’ ability to create community amongst diners – both friends and strangers – that I love most.
3. What do you do when you aren’t writing about or eating food?
Traveling and exploring neighbourhoods on foot. I am forever curious to discover favourite local haunts in every city around the world.
4. Do you cook? If so, what’s your specialty? If not, why?
Let’s just say, I don’t have the “butter” thumb! But I suppose that’s what makes me such an “expert” on restaurants – I eat out three meals a day!
5. What’s your favourite type of food(s) and where do you go to get it?
That’s a tough question. I love and appreciate all types of cuisine. But I suppose my favourite is rooted back in my childhood – nothing beats a great bowl of matzoh ball soup and a smoked meat sandwich at my favourite Montreal-style deli.
6. What’s your favourite hidden gem?
Not sure it’s so hidden, but 416 Snack Bar is my ultimate local city haunt. Also loving the back courtyard at Cold Tea this summer.
7. What’s your go-to restaurant?
In Toronto, I can often be found at 416 Snack Bar, with a glass of pink bubbles in one hand and a steamed pork bun in the other. In NYC (where I spend half my time), Rubirosa and Jeffrey’s Grocery are my “kitchen tables”.
8. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had?
I’d have to say dinner at Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris. It was at this dinner where the initial idea for a traveling supper club originated.
9. What’s one restaurant you have to try before you die?
Noma is definitely on the list (as any true food lover). But Brooklyn Fare is right up there. Luckily, they are opening their Hell’s Kitchen outpost this summer – so now chances have doubled!!
10. What’s your biggest restaurant pet peeve? (Play nice.)
Bad lighting. Bad playlist. Rude service. But bad food probably just trumps all, no?