Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing punches his fist in the air as he rolls up to the the Start/Finish line of the Honda Indy 2009. (Jack Boland/QMI Agency)

Top spots for auto lovers

TORONTO - As much as Toronto embraced World Cup fever last week, it's now just a fond memory thanks to the Honda Indy Toronto roaring into town this coming weekend when the IZOD IndyCar Series' greatest drivers get ready to tear up the tracks down near the city's shoreline.

Yup, the Big Smoke has barely had a chance to recuperate from all that vuvuzela racket when we're ready to plunge into yet another ear-popping, heart-stopping, adrenalin- pumping party featuring fast cars, fab drivers and foods to satisfy all our senses.

And it's all taking place starting this Friday at the CNE, where hundreds of international race car drivers and close to a quarter of a million spectators will be in attendance, along with a whole contingent of mobile kitchens manned by an army of executive chefs. Executive chefs like Joanne Lusted, director of the Nella Cucina Culinary School, who will be cooking this year for Alex Tagliani and the "Fazzt' team" -- last year she fed Paul Tracy and the KV team.

"This year I'm going to be cooking for a crew of about 20, including the drivers, and the VIP guests and sponsors in the hospitality paddock," says Lusted, figuring she'll be making "about 100 to 150 meals a day. "The kitchen I work in is a mobile tractor-trailer, which is then set up with a dining area, and an outdoor kitchen area -- talk about tight quarters! Each team has a similar setup, (and) it's a ton of fun, and there is a real camaraderie among the hospitality staff. The best part is seeing old friends and colleagues from years past!"

Apart from those caring for the drivers and their team, one of the biggest food names involved in Honda Indy Toronto is Centerplate Inc., considered one of the largest hospitality companies in the world, with more than 140 North American sports, entertainment and convention venues under it's belt. No stranger to marquee events, this company has hosted such landmark occasions, including 11 Super Bowls, 19 World Series, 15 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, more than 100 major College Bowl games and the largest plated dinner in history at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Celebration!

Just recently they helped feed the international media for the G20, and, quite simply their food has been savoured by millions.

"For Honda Indy Toronto, we're the ones who will be feeding the masses -- from the little kid chomping down on an all-beef hotdog to the corporate luxury suite experience at the VIP tents, Centerplate will be, well, front and centre," says Centerplate's GM Ashton Segueira. "We're delighted to be partnering with Honda Indy Toronto for this event, letting everyone know they're not just here for the speed, but the sustenance as well."

Segueira calls this event one of the most prestigious in North America and there's a veritable culinary army involved in the care and feeding of everyone who comes out to the event. "In terms of staffing we have close to 2,300 people involved, in addition to our executive chef Robert Campbell and his staff of chefs."

By the end of the weekend, Centerplate will have served more about 6,000 meals in the luxury suits and well over 30,000 meals overall. Most of the food is locally sourced and Centerplate's been working with "different local farmers and suppliers in order to present menu options indigenous to the Ontario region." Wines being served include local VQA Ontario wines from 20Bees.

What can you expect food-wise? "We're offering a diversity that includes such classics as all-beef ballpark franks to bourbon BBQ backribs, country-fried platters to traditional sloppy joes - with a twist and desserts will include triple berry mousse topped with seasonal berries."

(Centerplate will also be working with the Hospital for Sick Children with the Racing for Kids sponsorship taking place this Friday.)

And that's just the tip of the menu, and what's in store for race car lovers and just fans out for a good time this weekend.

And, no worries once this event moves on -- we've Caribana to look forward to!

For more information, event details and tickets visit www.hondaindytoronto.com