Bloom Dinner Series featuring Afrim Pristine from the Cheese Boutique

We are very excited to collaborate with Afrim Pristine from the Cheese Boutique for this fun event in Bloom!

Afrim Pristine is Canada’s premier Cheese Master and co-owner of Toronto’s iconic Cheese Boutique, a family-run institution for over 50 years. With more than 25 years in the business, Afrim has dedicated his life to mastering cheese, earning the rare title of Maître Fromager from the France-based Guilde Internationale des Fromagers—making him the youngest recipient and the only Canadian to receive this honour.

Afrim’s passion, rooted in his family legacy, has made him a national culinary figure. He’s the host of Cheese: A Love Story, Food Network Canada’s first cheese-focused docu-series (also on Hulu), where he travels the world in search of the best cheeses and the artisans behind them. His bestselling cookbook, For the Love of Cheese, celebrates his favourite ingredient, with a second book on the way, hitting shelves in October 2026.

Beyond cheese, Afrim is a skilled chef, recipe developer, and TV personality, regularly featured on Canadian food shows and morning programs including 10 seasons on Marilyn Denis. Recognized by The Globe and Mail and LCBO Food & Drink as one of Canada’s most influential food figures, Afrim continues to inspire a new generation of cheese lovers while honouring the traditions that shaped him.

In regards to the inspiration for his menu, Afrim said "I'm excited about this menu as I get to showcase the 2 cuisines I love the most.

For the first 2 courses, its about my deep southern Italian roots. A fall inspired burrata dish and my mother's recipe for her pasta e ceci. Mediterranean food for me is about the quality of the ingredients in each dish. I've taken that and put a slight modern spin to make it my own.

The 3rd and 4th course is celebrating amazing Canadian bounty. I'm showcasing Canada's best cheeses. Even with deep European roots, I'm an extremely proud Canadian and the cheese we make in Canada are totally world class."

The price of the ticket includes either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage pairing.

Please specify which pairing you want at time of ticket purchase as well as any dietary restrictions.

This is a seated event.

1st course

Autumn Burrata Salad - Italian burrata with roasted delicata squash, aged balsamic and marcona almond vinaigrette

2nd course

Hearty Mediterranean Pasta - Chickpea and tomato stew cassarece pasta with special cheese blend

3rd course

AFRIM's favorite canadian cheeses With seasonal garnishes

4th course

Blue Elizabeth cheese with honeycomb, Venchi dark chocolate and walnut raisin crostini

Any questions/concerns - please email Shannon Rea [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Conestoga College - Waterloo, 108 University Avenue, Waterloo, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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