Like it’s downtown cousin the Toronto Reference Library, the newly renovated North York Central Library is a stunning and vibrant event space. With its contemporary design and state-of-the-art facilities, this space caters to a wide range of events from workshops and seminars to cultural celebrations and even weddings. Able to accommodate up to 200 seated and conveniently located at Yonge and Sheppard, the venue has an underground parking lot, plenty of surrounding Green P, and is right by the subway line.
As soon as we arrived, we made our way to the bright and airy reception area that connects to the concourse event space. With an endless supply of 80’s tunes as our soundtrack, we begin our tour of the fantastic event space. A big thanks to Henry Lin from 424u Photo & Video for all the photos.
For their all-out 80’s launch party, the venue went all in on the theme: vibrant neons, roller skates, Rubik’s cubes, and loads of nostalgia were embedded throughout. added plenty of brightly-coloured florals throughout the event.
bb Blanc Entertainment provided all the entertainment for the evening – guests had loads of fun with the photobooth and the 80s props. The vinyl tabletop word search by Event Graffiti and the claw machine by Abbey Road Entertainment were also a big hit with the guests!
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When it comes to the food department, right out of the gate, I knew we were all in for a real treat. With six of Toronto’s best caterers on the venue’s preferred list and top-level staffing from The Butler Did It, it was such a treat to sample so much delicious food all matching the fun 80s theme! Just to be clear here, there was really a ton of amazing food so my recap below is by no means exhaustive, but just check out these photos!
My first stop was at the Food Dudes station. Their signature Chopped Salad with a twist never disappoints! The sous vide Turkey Breast Roulade was so soft and tender – perfect for Thanksgiving! For dessert, the bite-size S’more tart was so delicious.
Toben Food by Design served up Takeout Kung Pao Pop Corn Chicken and Crispy Kung Pao Tofu, catering to both traditional and contemporary culinary preferences. The truffled Deviled eggs were so addictive. I lost count of how many I had.
Marigolds & Onions decked out their station with cute 80’s inflatables, tasty house-made poptarts, retro Hostess cupcakes, and plenty of colour. Among others, they had passed mini-corndogs, a delicious Chicken Tater Bake as well as a vegetarian option.
10tation Event Catering had passed popcorn chicken, accompanied by a guajillo lime aioli – a perfect blend of textural crunch and zesty flavour. The culinary journey continued at the food station, serving savory and sweet dishes with seasonal ingredients – ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, drizzled in a sage and butter sauce, and topped with toasted almonds. For dessert, delicious Pumpkin-spiced Cruellers and Pumpkin Pie Jars.
I loved the 80s-coloured theme and innovative food styling at Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. From the nostalgic “Not Your Mom’s Beef Stroganoff” served with egg noodles to the luscious Penne Alla Vodka made with gluten-free pasta, the team strived to cater to all dietary preferences. The vegan “Zucchini Ravioli,” filled with vegan ricotta, wild mushrooms, spinach, and romesco sauce, showcased both creativity and flavour. For dessert, the team created super-cute “bookaroos” and nostalgic play on Dunkaroos – a popular 80’s kids dessert (which would almost certainly be outlawed in schools these days).
At their station, the innovative team at Eatertainment Special Events & Catering created a mac n cheese dish inspired by the Rubik’s cube that is totally 80s. Their passed canapes included Crispy Tofu Banh Mi, Adobo Shrimp Tacos, and Wagyu Beef Sliders were, of course, incredibly delicious and offered some lovely dietary versatility.
This was such a wonderful evening with great food and great company! From the 80s themed décor to the loads of delicious food and great conversations with vendors in the industry, it was truly a memorable evening. Shoutout to all the talented vendors who put this evening together. We can’t wait for the next one!
Carmen Luk is a seasoned wedding event planner at Devoted To You based in Toronto. With a passion for creating unforgettable moments, Carmen brings her extensive expertise and creative flair to every project she undertakes. Her attention to detail and commitment to personalized experiences ensure that each event she orchestrates is a unique reflection of her client’s vision. When she’s not planning the next party, she loves spending time with her family and traveling.
