Why this Toronto woman hosted a free buffet — on the TTC subway
It's an unusual idea for unusual times, she admitted, adding she got inspiration after seeing a Thanksgiving cookout on the New York City subway car last year. More than just a quirky way to spend an evening, the free buffet was her attempt to build community ties through food and get honest feedback about her cooking.
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CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Here's what's open and closed in Toronto for the 2025 August long weekend
There's lots to do and see in Toronto this long weekend, ranging from music festivals and nature conservatories to golf courses. You could, of course, also check out the city's newest green space: Biidaasige Park in the redeveloped Port Lands. Whether you are looking to step out for festivities or run errands, here's a look at what's open and closed on the long weekend. Public transit operations The TTC is operating on its usual Saturday and Sunday schedule. However, hours of operation will differ on Monday. The TTC will operate on its holiday schedule and subways will start around 6 a.m. GO Transit will operate similarly over the weekend, and it will operate on its Saturday schedule on Monday. Extra service is being added to the Barrie line Friday through Sunday for people returning from the Veld Music Festival and those attending Carribean Carnival. People should visit the TTC and the GO website's directly for up-to-date service changes. Grocery stores and liquor Most grocery stores will remain open throughout the weekend, though they might have reduced hours on Monday. Check your local store for specifics. St. Lawrence Market will operate regularly on the weekend, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. However, the market will be closed on Monday. Drug stores are also expected to operate on holiday hours on Monday. Check your local store for specifics. Select LCBO locations will remain open on Monday. Check online to see the operating hours of your nearest store. The Beer Store will have 85 locations open across Ontario on Monday, check online to locate open stores near you. Fireworks Canada's Wonderland will have a fireworks display on Sunday, Aug. 3. However, this long weekend is not a designated fireworks day, and residents are required to obtain a permit from Toronto Fire Services to set off fireworks on their property, the city said in a news release . It is illegal to set off fireworks in city parks, beaches, streets, parking lots or other private property, the city said. Attractions Many public spaces like conservatories, museums and outdoor pools will remain open this long weekend. Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory are free and open all three days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. WATCH | Take a walk around the new Port Lands park: Take a walk around the new Port Lands park 14 days ago Outdoor pools, wading pools, and splash pads will remain open as Environment Canada predicts a sunny weekend. Outdoor pools are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. People are advised to follow safety precautions when swimming, ensuring there is a lifeguard on duty and swimming in supervised areas only, the city said in a news release. Indoor pools and community centres will remain open on Saturday and Sunday but closed Monday. Hours of operation and additional information can be found on the city website. The animal display at High Park will welcome visitors all weekend from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Roads within the park are closed to vehicles on weekends and holidays. This is Canada's oldest animal display and there are feeders facilitating interactions with animals. Toronto Island Park ferries will be operational and expected to be busy this weekend, city said. Travel during non-peak hours is encouraged. The busiest hours for the ferry are from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The city is urging people to buy tickets online and plan your trip ahead of time. All branches of the Toronto Public Library will be closed on Sunday and Monday. Festivals Toronto Caribbean Carnival is back. This is the city's biggest celebration of Caribbean culture and the Grand Parade will be on Saturday, Aug. 2. Over one million people are expected to take part in the parade, the carnival website says. St. Lawrence Market will feature delicious Caribbean food, crafts and culture on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Market Street. Downsview Park will host the Veld Music Festival, which bills itself as Canada's largest electronic music festival. The event will run Friday through Sunday. The Toronto Food Truck Festival will ake place Friday through Monday at Woodbine Park. The festival will feature an array of food and free games for children, the festival website says. The festival hours vary daily, check online to see the timings. Sports and activities Five municipal golf courses across the city will remain open this weekend. Golfers are advised to book their spot in advance. Check individual golf course websites for hours of operation and booking information. Public tennis and pickleball courts will be open. Players should expect some longer wait times and are requested to limit play time to 30-minute intervals if people are waiting to use the courts.
Toronto Star
7 days ago
- Toronto Star
Why this Toronto woman hosted a free buffet — on the TTC subway
Isabella Petraglia and nine of her friends went out Monday night with a large foldable table, heaps of homemade food and a vision for a new underground, pop-up dining destination — a TTC subway train. It's an unusual idea for unusual times, she admitted, adding she got inspiration after seeing a Thanksgiving cookout on the New York City subway car last year. More than just a quirky way to spend an evening, the free buffet was her attempt to build community ties through food and get honest feedback about her cooking.
Global News
30-07-2025
- Global News
Toronto woman goes viral after hosting free buffet for passengers on the TTC
A Toronto woman is going viral for giving a whole new meaning to 'fast food.' Izzy Petraglia, a freelance writer and publicist, turned a TTC subway commute into an extraordinary act of generosity and community building by hosting a free buffet for passengers on Monday. Petraglia brought her passion project to life when she and a few friends set up a full buffet table aboard a Line 1 subway train at around 7 p.m. Inspired by a viral New York City subway Thanksgiving dinner video she saw months ago, Petraglia said she had long dreamed of recreating something similar, ahead of launching her own cookbook. 'I saw the video and thought, 'That would be cool to do one day.' A few weeks ago, I finally said, 'You know what? I'm going to do it,'' she told Global News. Story continues below advertisement Petraglia said she prepared all the food herself the day of, serving a variety of dishes and treats, including spicy miso cucumber salad, pancit bihon, sweet and spicy tofu, noodles and cookies. 'The ube white chocolate cookies were by far the biggest hit,' she said. View image in full screen Petraglia and her friends serve a variety of homemade dishes on the TTC including ube white chocolate chip cookies. (via Izzy Petraglia). Izzy Petraglia The culinary journey began at Glencairn Station and ran up to Finch and back down again, lasting nearly two hours. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Along the way, curious passengers began to take notice and participate in the feast. 'At first, people were just laughing or taking photos,' Petraglia said. 'But then some came up to grab plates.' 'One woman had just worked a 12-hour shift and told us she could cry from how hungry she was. That meant a lot to me, and when I realized that's why I did it.' Story continues below advertisement A handwritten flyer listing all ingredients was handed out with each plate, ensuring passengers with allergies had full transparency. While Petraglia did receive some backlash online over hygiene concerns, she said her team made hygiene a top priority, regularly sanitizing and serving the food themselves rather than letting people self-serve. 'I was careful, we sanitized, we listed all allergens, served people, and we did it as safely as possible,' she told Global News. The subway feast wasn't just a one-off stunt, according to Petraglia, who plans to do another one in a few months. 'I love gathering people over food,' she said. 'Everyone on the TTC is in their own little world. I wanted to get people out of that and talking to one another.' View image in full screen A group of passengers on the TTC enjoy the spontaneous feast. Izzy Petraglia In the meantime, Petraglia is continuing to develop her cookbook, bake for friends and dream up new ways to connect with her city, one plate at a time. Story continues below advertisement Amid rising inflation, a worsening housing crisis, and growing food insecurity in Toronto, Petraglia said she's grateful her initiative could provide a warm meal and a moment of connection to those who needed it. 'Food is how we connect, it always has been,' Petraglia said.
