The Depanneur

The Dep is a unique food venue that hosts an eclectic range of food events.

Founded in 2011 by Len Senater, The Dep is an ongoing, evolving experiment, prototype and proof-of-concept exploring food’s role in building community, creating opportunity and celebrating diversity. It has evolved over the years into a kind of convivial urban food hub where food producers, creators and consumers can connect and explore new food ideas in a fun, informal setting.

To find out more about The Dep, you can check out what others have written (like Spacing Magazine or Yonge Street Media), read some customer reviews (4.6 out of 5 stars!), or dig into my own slightly ranty manifesto.

In early 2016, the Dep extended an invitation to newly-arrived Syrian refugees who found themselves stuck in hotels for many weeks, with no access to kitchens to cook for themselves or their families.

This blossomed into the wildly successful Newcomer Kitchen, a non-profit social enterprise that invites newcomer women to prepare and sell meals in a fun, social setting, while earning revenue through dignified, meaningful work.