See you on November 12, 2023, at Toronto’s iconic Brick Works.

Spotlight: Toben Food by Design

Jeanne Beker
Chef Tobin in his kitchen and The Pearl situation amongst rocks and trees

Above: Chef Toben Kochman, co-owner of the Toben Food by Design catering company and The Pearl in Muskoka.

Chef Toben studied at the Cordon Blue School of Culinary Arts in Paris, where he was awarded Le Grande Diplome for excellence. He apprenticed for Daniel Boulud before breaking into the Toronto food scene at Auberge du Pommier and Susur. He created Toben Food By Design with his sister, Elana, in 2005.

Their high-end catering company specializes in fresh, local, artisan cuisine and event management services for both corporate and private clients. In recent years, it has evolved to include handcrafted and seasonal chef-made family-style meals for home delivery. This summer, Toben also opened The Pearl on Lake Muskoka—a gourmet market featuring pantry provisions, to-go food, and rentable venue space.

Chef Toben’s award-winning culinary creations have been featured in many publications, and he is a regular guest on The Food Network, Breakfast Television, Canada AM and the Slice Network. He frequently gives back to the community through charity programs and fundraising events like Porridge for Parkinson’s.

Follow tobinfoodbydesign on Instagram.

Three beautifully plated dishes by Tobin: stew, fish, salad.