If in recent months developing Galya Loves Food products for sale at retail locations in Toronto has proven highly gratifying, it has also led to wonderful opportunities and interesting people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.

For example, we’ve received numerous special orders from individuals and requests for catering. We’ve found that despite the challenges and restrictions due to COVID-19, there’s still great potential to grow Galya Loves Food as people always appreciate the pleasures of the palate, especially during trying times.

The latest catering order we received was from a couple for the wedding of their daughter earlier this month that took place outdoors in the backyard of their beautiful home in mid-town Toronto. After presenting them a range of options for hors d’oeuvres, entrées, main course and desserts, they made their selection, all of which they insisted be gluten-free. For the 15 people in attendance, my daughter Shani and I made the following dinner menu, some of which can be seen in the photographs here.

• Butternut squash soup with shallot, maple syrup, nutmeg, vegetable broth, chives, roasted pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil and salt

• Aviv Salad with organic arugula, endives, roasted pecan nuts with silan, cherry tomatoes and pomegranates, with green tahini dressing

• Wild Forest Hummus: Tahini, chickpeas, wild mushrooms, garlic, roasted pine nuts, lemon juice, parsley, sumac, za’atar, cumin, extra virgin olive oil and salt

• Labaneh with roasted pears with mint, sesame oil, apple vinegar, rosemary, sumac and za’atar

• Green tahini with fresh herbs

• Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with silan, sumac, za’atar and fresh herbs

• Machane Yehuda Cauliflower with za’atar, sumac, silan, fresh herbs and pine nuts

• Gluten-Free Cauliflower Tabbouleh with pomegranates, pistachios and green tahini dressing

• Mujadara with stir-fried onions and garlic, red lentils, rice, pine nuts and pomegranates

• Baked Eggplant with pomegranates, fresh herbs, pine nuts and green tahini dressing

• Gluten-Free Date Cookies with sesame, hazelnuts, pecan nuts and pine nuts

• Halvah Mousse with pomegranates and roasted pine nuts

I’m of course not objective but from what I could see during the evening and the highly positive feedback I received from the mother and father of the bride, and from the bride herself, the food was extremely well received by the guests. It’s always a great feeling to contribute to the success of an event.