Friday Feature- Marie Fitrion and Daniel Holloway, Urban Acorn Vegan Catering Duo, Dish On Uniting Foodies Via the Healthy and the Delectable

Marie Fitrion and Chef Daniel Holloway, founders of Urban Acorn Catering, stand firm on the foundation that 'food should unite'.  This food-passionate duo manages not only to serve up delightfully delicious dishes, but caters to vegan, gluten-free and flexitarian tastes with their broad spectrum of unique recipes. They accomplish this all while managing to bring diners together over their scrumptious eats, whether at an event for which Urban Acorn has been brought in to cater or within their newly renovated and inviting space at which they host monthly supper clubs.

Food Should Unite

Daniel Holloway, a skilled chef who took up mastering the art of fine cuisine at the age of sixteen, and Marie Fitrion, a vivacious and driven food enthusiast with an exceptional business sense and flare for the creative, joined forces back in 2012 at which point they began to set the wheels in motion to launch their catering business. Urban Acorn budded quickly and continues to grow due to a clear vision and obvious passion the two share.

Pictured above: Daniel Holloway and Marie Fitrion, Founders of Urban Acorn Catering

Over the past few months, the creative and sociable couple have expanded Urban Acorn by overhauling a large floor space in the Junction Triangle. Here the two host their monthly supper clubs that each follow a fun and often quirky theme.  From Festivus themed supper clubs to themes involving a focus on various Toronto neighbourhoods, highlighting specific cultures and food-based traditions, there is no shortage of creativity and healthy deliciousness in the space.   All supper clubs include a four course meal with tea and coffee to complement which is served in their newly renovated, beautiful and airy space,

www.urbanacorn.ca

To join in on an Urban Acorn sociable supper club, you have to act quickly! The space seats sixteen guests which allows for an intimate setting while dining and learning about the preparation methods that are used to produce the spectacular and healthy dishes that are served. This also means, however, that Urban Acorn sells out for these events quite speedily. Be sure to check the Urban Acorn website for details about the upcoming supper clubs so you don't miss out! http://www.urbanacorn.ca

www.urbanacorn.ca

After having a chance to visit this newly renovated and remarkable space which is located in a hidden away courtyard that is also home to numerous other businesses of the artisan world, I was able to pose a few questions to the lovely Marie about her and Daniel's journey over the recent years.

City Sophisticate: How long has Urban Acorn Catering been serving up delicious healthy-minded dishes?

Marie Fitrion: Urban Acorn began as a University project back in 2012. I was a 3^rd year public relations student with a background in event management and marketing, and my partner Daniel was a talented private chef working in the Burlington area. We decided to put our talents together and officially launched in 2013.

City Sophisticate: What was it that drew you to beginning not only a catering company, but a gluten-free, vegan catering company?

Fitrion: Daniel and I have many friends and family members who are with vegan, vegetarian or gluten sensitive. We know that for these individuals large social gatherings such as weddings or office parties often means they won’t be eating much if at all or worse be forced to bring their own food. We also considered how extremely difficult it would be for blended families and couples (one eats meat for example and one does not) to have events catered. We decided we’d focus on a Flexitarian (flexible +vegetarian) approach to our services and offer both vegan and non-vegan options with the same effort and dedication. Daniel had never cooked vegan before we met in 2011, but he was eager for a challenge and if you ask me I think learning how to cook vegan food has actually made his non-vegan items taste even better than before.

Baked Wild Ontario Walleye, Lemon Fingerling Potatoes, Butter Glazed Asparagus, served with Dill & Leek Soubise

City Sophisticate: What sorts of events do you find Urban Acorn Catering is requested for most?

Fitrion: Lately it’s been all about weddings. I think the Flexitarian concept really hits home when two families are merging and no one wants anyone to feel left out. Most of our couples are either both vegan and want and entirely vegan wedding or they are blended and want a mix of both for their event. Either way couples tend to appreciate the experience of custom creating their menu and having a real say in what they’ll be enjoying on their big day.

City Sophisticate: How has your business expanded over the past few years?

Fitrion: When we started out we were trying to find affordable kitchen space in the city (which is very hard) while simultaneously attracting clients. Our first client was a local coffee shop, Lit Espresso Bar whom we sold ciders and juice. Fast forward two years later and we have stopped with small deliveries and concentrated on the event side of the business. We also recently acquired a commercial space which we converted into a kitchen studio in the Junction Triangle.

City Sophisticate: Are you intending to expand Urban Acorn Catering to eventually include a front store for walk-in purchases?

Fitrion: I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t crossed our mind but I think Daniel and I both agree that we want to keep a good work/life balance and unfortunately store fronts and restaurants are not really what we are working towards. We do both have a dream of maybe owning a bed and breakfast in the country one day where we could host weddings onsite.

City Sophisticate: Your newly renovated space is beautiful and has been transformed from an industrial-style unit into a quaint and warm loft. Why did you decide on Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood to expand to?

Fitrion:  In a lot of ways our heart has always been in the Junction. I lived about 5 minutes away from our space when Daniel and I met; since we used a variety of commercial kitchens around the city at the time, we both always felt like Urban Acorn was conceived in that neighbourhood. We actually support one of the local school’s holiday arts and crafts sales by donating and serving lunch. When we started our search for a space we were hoping to find something in the Junction and reached out to a few local vendors including Rebekka Hutton of Alchemy Pickle. She told us about the industrial style lofts in the area and it was love at first site.

Vegan King Oyster Mushroom Gnocchi tossed in a Roasted Red Pepper Emulsion garnished with Summer Peas and Baby Zucchini

City Sophisticate: If you could pick one dish or item from your menu as a showcase delicacy, what would that be?

Fitrion: That’s a tough one  so I’ll permit myself to choose one entrée and one hors d’oeuvre. Daniel makes a mean duck confit and paired with his wild mushroom risotto I salivate at the mouth every time I put it on a menu. For the Hors D’oeuvres it’s got to be his latkes which he can make vegan and gluten free topped with some delicious vegan cranberry apple butter.

City Sophisticate: What advice do you have for anyone who is in the dreaming stage of starting their own company in the food industry?

Fitrion: I’d say first do tons of research… this industry is highly regulated and you need to make sure you know what types of permits you need before you get started. Second: Think simple. It doesn’t have to be over the top food, it just has to be made well, priced fair and taste great. Third: Be prepared to work hard and  miss out on a lot of social events; at first the time and dedication may seem overwhelming but once you hit the tipping point things will be fine. And lastly never lose sight of why you started this journey in the first place and take time to celebrate your milestones.

Vegan and Gluten Free Crispy Seared Polenta Gateau, Creamed Spinach Scalloped Potatoes with Lemongrass tossed Asparagus and Parsnip Chips

Urban Acorn dishes are a delight to the senses; beautifully plated and visually appealing food that is extremely pleasing to the palate and is as equally healthy as it is delicious, what more could a food-lover ask for?

I would like to thank Marie and Daniel for sharing about their experience as small business owners in the vast metropolis of Toronto and for uniting diners over their inspired menus in such a beautiful new location. Congratulations and much success to Urban Acorn in the future!

Happy and healthy dining!

Jessica Ashley