DIWALI: A Festival of Light | A Cultural Dinner Celebrating Multifaith Traditions

Diwali is really three sacred festivals in one: Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities light the same lamps on the same night, each carrying its own story of what that light means. Diwali is also embraced culturally by many others, including Muslim and Christian neighbours who exchange mithai and light diyas at Sufi shrines. In Canada, Diwali has become an event to come together, regardless of faith or cultural tradition. Our dinner mirrors this convergence in one gathering and across three courses.

For us, celebrating through food feels especially meaningful. A shared meal has a way of making unfamiliar traditions feel closer. It invites us to taste something new, ask questions, exchange stories and experience culture not only through explanation, but through the simple act of eating together. Even when our beliefs and traditions differ, there is something wonderfully universal about offering another person a plate of food.

Our Menu

First Course

Kataifi Dahi Kebab 

Hung yogurt | Dates | Beetroot | Crisp Kataifi

Creamy, lightly seasoned hung yogurt with dates, wrapped in delicate kataifi and fried until crisp, served with a vibrant beetroot sauce.

Jain Dabeli

Spiced Banana | Date-Tamarind Chutney | Chickpeas | Pomegranate | Sev

A soft bun filled with spiced banana, date-tamarind chutney, roasted chickpeas, pomegranate and crunchy sev, our Jain-inspired take on the beloved Gujarati street-food classic.

MAIN COURSE

Dal Makhani with Kesar Matar Pulao

Slow-Cooked Black Lentils | Saffron Basmati Rice | Green Peas

Whole black lentils and kidney beans are slow-cooked until rich, creamy and deeply comforting, then paired with fragrant basmati rice scented with saffron, whole spices and sweet green peas.

Sarson Palak Paneer with Fresh Roti

Mustard Greens | Spinach | Paneer | Whole-Wheat Roti

Earthy mustard greens and spinach are cooked into a smooth, velvety base with tender paneer and warming spices, served with soft fresh roti for tearing, scooping and sharing.

DESSERT

Jalebi with Saffron Rabri & Pistachio Kulfi

Warm Jalebi | Saffron-Cardamom Rabri | Pistachio Kulfi

Crisp golden jalebi is served warm with silky homemade rabri infused with saffron and cardamom, alongside cool, nutty pistachio kulfi. Together, the dessert brings contrast in temperature and texture, warm and frozen, crisp and creamy – for a festive finale inspired by the light and sweetness of Diwali.

CHAI, THROUGHOUT

Masala Chai | Warming Spices | Milk | Black Tea

Bottomless masala chai is poured throughout the evening as a simple gesture of warmth, hospitality and welcome.

This is not just a dinner. It is a living, breathing conversation between cultures and among neighbours — guided by an extraordinary Toronto-based community chef — set in one of Toronto’s most beloved community food spaces, and designed to be savoured slowly, intimately, and meaningfully.

Faiths4Food Celebrations is a community dialogue series initiative of Faith & the Common Good (FCG). It brings people of different backgrounds together through the most universal of languages: food. Each event pairs culinary experience with meaningful interfaith exchange, raising awareness and understanding in equal measure.

The Depanneur is a unique culinary studio and event venue showcases Toronto’s incredible culinary diversity by inviting guest cooks, both amateur and professional, to host hundreds of pop-up food events, from convivial dinner parties to fun, hands-on cooking classes. @thedepanneur

Our Chef

Sargam Nayyar is the founder of  Pudina Kitchen, a Toronto-based food community built around Indian fusion cooking, supper clubs, and private events. Her cooking comes out of her own family's kitchen, and she's built Pudina Kitchen into a space for people to cook, share a meal, and feel more connected to the culture behind the food. @thepudinakitchen