#FOOD: “MOTHER OF ALL TALKS” JUNE 2026 FEATURING HEMANT BHAGWANI, SAMRA ZAFAR, JON RENNIE AND DYLAN MOSCOVITCH

On Tuesday, June 2 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., an intimate evening of conversation, cocktails, and community will unfold at Naari in Toronto’s Little Italy. The latest edition of Mother of All Talks  — a free-to-attend keynote speaker series presented by Valley of Mother of God Gin— explores the theme of “Reinvention.” The evening’s speaker lineup includes Hemant Bhagwani, restaurateur and founder; Dr. Samra Zafar, bestselling author, speaker, and advocate for equity; Jon Rennie, chef and co-owner of MICHELIN-recognized Odd Duck; and Olympian and broadcaster Dylan Moscovitch. 

Guests can RSVP via Eventbrite HERE.

Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail featuring Valley of Mother of God Gin alongside light bites from Naari. Additional cocktails and beverages available via cash bar at regular venue pricing. Following the talks, attendees are invited to continue the experience over a communal four-course prix fixe dinner alongside the speakers at a special all-inclusive price of $60 exclusive of tax and gratuity per person. Dinner guests will also receive a complimentary glass of sparkling. Beyond the complimentary sparkling welcome pour, Naari’s specialty cocktail and beverage menu will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Capacity for dinner is limited to 20 guests.

Reservations for the dinner experience must be made separately via Naari’s OpenTable under Experiences HERE.

Created as a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations, Mother of All Talks brings together influential voices across hospitality, business, wellness, sports, and culture to share stories rooted in personal growth, transformation, and lived experience. Each edition is centred around a monthly theme, pairing meaningful dialogue with a social dining atmosphere designed to encourage openness, connection, and conversation long after the talks conclude

This month’s speakers will explore the many forms reinvention can take, from rebuilding identity and redefining success to evolving creatively and professionally.

Hemant Bhagwani is a Toronto restaurateur and hospitality entrepreneur known for building some of the city’s most recognizable dining concepts. As the founder behind venues including Naari, Bhagwani has built a reputation for creating restaurants that blend culture, storytelling, and experience. His perspective on reinvention is deeply tied to entrepreneurship, hospitality, and continuously evolving the way people gather around food.

Dr. Samra Zafar is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and educator whose story of resilience and transformation has inspired audiences around the world. Through her advocacy, writing, and public speaking, Zafar shares powerful insights on overcoming adversity, reclaiming identity, and redefining one’s future on their own terms.

Jon Rennie is the chef and co-owner behind MICHELIN-recognized Odd Duck in Kitchener, a restaurant celebrated for its ingredient-driven approach and deep relationships with local farms and producers. Known for his thoughtful, ever-evolving culinary perspective, Rennie approaches reinvention through creativity, seasonality, and a commitment to constantly pushing the boundaries of contemporary Canadian dining.

Dylan Moscovitch is a retired Olympic medalist, speaker, and creator of Threshold™ — a framework centred around navigating life’s defining moments of transformation. After an 18-year international figure skating career, Moscovitch experienced a profound personal shift that challenged him to rebuild his identity and sense of purpose beyond sport, an experience that became the foundation of his work today. Known for his grounded perspective, honesty, and humour, he now supports individuals and organizations through transition while encouraging people to move through change with clarity and intention.

Event Details:
Where: Naari (501 College St, Toronto)
When: Tuesday, June 2 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend | Includes speaker series access, welcome cocktail, and light bites (RSVP on Eventbrite HERE)
Optional: $60 communal prix fixe dinner with speakers + complimentary sparkling (book via Naari’s OpenTable under Experiences HERE)
Capacity: Limited to 50 guests

Space is limited. RSVP via Eventbrite HERE and purchase dinner tickets via Naari’s OpenTable under Experiences HERE.

About Naari
Located in Toronto’s Little Italy, Naari is a modern Indian restaurant rooted in bold flavours, live-fire cooking, and elevated hospitality. Led by restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani, Naari blends regional Indian influences with contemporary culinary techniques to create a vibrant, immersive dining experience centred around food, beverage, culture, and community.

About Valley of Mother of God Gin
Valley of Mother of God Gin is a Canadian premium gin brand rooted in craftsmanship, storytelling, and community. Known for its contemporary approach to hospitality and culture-driven collaborations, the brand partners with leading chefs, bartenders, and creatives to create memorable experiences that bring people together through food, beverage, and conversation.