- Toronto Integrative Medicine Centre
- Sep 17, 2024
- 5 min read
A one-of-a-kind dinner that blends our love for food with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Five Spice seamlessly blends our love for food with the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This one-of-a-kind dinner features a meticulously curated multi-course menu designed to delight the palate while promoting holistic wellness. Today, we sit down with our hosts, R. Ac, R. TCMP, owner of TIMC Dylan Kirk , and Chef Jasmine Tong, to uncover the stories, secrets, and inspirations that drive their creative process in this event.
What motivated TIMC to partner with this dining experience event?
Dylan: I was visiting Jasmine around lunchtime, and she served me and my 13-month-old daughter some soup. As I'm eating it, my brain is going, "Wow, this is really good..." Then I start noticing the ingredients: "Hmm, there are goji berries... dates... snow ear mushrooms... and lotus seeds. This is 100% Chinese herbal medicine-infused food." It was like a lightbulb went off in my head, and I had to pitch the idea of hosting a meal around this concept.
In my clinical practice, patients often think dietary recommendations need to be restrictive, but I've always seen it differently. It's about balance. It’s easier to fill up on good foods than to avoid the bad ones. It's the same rationale as creating new neural pathways—it's easier than trying to stop old habits. I wanted to give people the opportunity to experience how delicious healthy eating can be, in a truly unique way.
What can attendees expect in terms of the atmosphere and experience?
Dylan: The Ontario College of TCM has a special balcony that overlooks the Toronto skyline, right in the heart of the city. It creates a unique space for hosting events, bringing us closer to nature. The timing of the dinner, during sunset, is intentional, as it’s when the weather and lighting are at their most unique, and also when yin and yang are most balanced.
I'll also be exploring one of my other hobbies as a DJ, curating some sounds during and after the dinner.
What makes this dining experience unique compared to other similar events?
Dylan: The menu, the environment, and the overall experience will all be unique. This is a fusion of tastes, cultures, and people. We aim to bring together different sensory experiences, fostering curiosity, intrigue, and community.
Chinese medicine-inspired cooking isn’t rare worldwide, but it’s not very common in North America. This event is about the joy of food, and I’ll also be sharing insights about some of the ingredients from a Chinese medicine perspective.
Are there any special features planned during the event?
Dylan: Five Spice is really all about the food, but beyond that, attendees might meet new and interesting people, watch the sunset over the Toronto skyline, and enjoy some great music or a DJ set after dinner.
What do you think makes this dining experience special for the community?
Dylan: It's about bringing balance—through tastes, people, sound, and space.
Can you tell us the inspiration behind “Five Spice”?
Jasmine: ◑.◑ The name or the dinner? I have my own experimental dining series, so Dylan and I were excited to combine our resources and skills for this—our Dy(na)mine collaboration (ㆆ ᴗ ㆆ). We both share a love for food, community, and an unrestrictive, healthy lifestyle, and we know others do too. Five Spice is our way of bringing like-minded people together.
The name comes from the five-spice blend, used in almost all branches of Chinese cuisine. It’s made of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns. Although I was familiar with the blend, it wasn’t until Dylan introduced me to its TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) origins that I realized I had been incorporating TCM philosophies into my cooking all along. The name reflects an unrestrictive, healthy lifestyle, which is often more achievable than we think.
Can you give us a glimpse of your creative process when crafting this menu?
Jasmine:It often feels like I’m oscillating between being overstimulated and excited. My process involves frantically searching for references that align with the intention I’ve set—or ones that help me define that intention in the first place. Cookbooks are my go-to. They’re like picture books where stories, recipes, and methodologies are intertwined, making it easy to find inspiration.
How do you incorporate seasonal or local ingredients into the menu?
Jasmine:I don’t feel like I know much about seasonality, so I let my local Chinese grocer guide me through what’s in stock. While fruits and veggies are more vibrant when they’re in season, if something is available and within budget, I let my cravings dictate the menu (I rarely crave heavy, squash-based soups in the summer). When I have the option, I’ll always choose local ingredients—it’s a low-effort way to feel a bit more like a responsible adult. d(>_･ )
[Alternative answer, more family-friendly]: I love going to local produce stores and farmers' markets! Beyond the environmental and flavor benefits, it also doubles as a mental health walk. Smaller stores and markets create such an intimate experience—like being a tourist in my own city, fluttering between the familiar and the new. I find that it makes me appreciate my ingredients and meals so much more.
Are there any dishes with a special story or meaning that you'd like to share?
Jasmine:It might sound like a cop-out, but as with anything you put your heart and time into, the entire menu is special to me. If I had to pick, I’d say the soup, mugwort mochi, and steamed pear dessert. Have you ever craved something intensely but didn’t know what it was? The experimental aspect of Five Spice helped me get closer to understanding those mysterious cravings. Ask me in person for the full story—there are toooooo many factors that would make this text way too messy. ( ✿˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )
What excites you most about cooking for “Five Spice”?
Jasmine:( º﹃º ) Everything. So many things. The prospect of creating cherished memories through the team’s passion and expertise ( ´⌣`ʃƪ)! Personally, I’m most excited about the creativity and freedom this project offers. I love experimenting with flavors, textures, and techniques, and Five Spice lets me push my boundaries while staying true to the theme. It’s all about sharing this experience with the community, knowing that every dish could spark a new conversation or create a special moment for someone. That connection is what excites me most.
Five Spice: A Fusion of Culinary Art and Traditional Wisdom
Date: Saturday, September 28th, 2024 6PM ~ 9PM
Location: 283 Spadina Ave. 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 2E3
Early Bird Pricing $99.99 per person (extended until Sept 20th)
Regular Pricing: $129.99 per person (Limited Seating available)
