From the boreal forest to the tundra; from the Prairie grasslands to Ontario’s Carolinian woodlands, Canada is stunningly rich with flora and fauna. Bio-diversity is our most valuable heritage. With 71,000 species which have been scientifically described and another estimated 69,000 * species yet to be named and classified, it becomes crystalline that the protection of our ecological heritage is absolutely paramount.
The name says a lot. Nicolette Novak, the owner and dream-meister of the Good Earth Cooking School has been one of the early adopters and on the forefront of the farm to table movement in Niagara, a region renowned for
I first met Chef Tracy Winkworth at Gold Medal Plates where she was sous-chefing for Laura Kirk of Toronto’s amazing Ruby Watcho. A full fledged chef in her own right she has now opened an official branch of the Liaison
Chef David Penny was snatched up by Four Seasons as soon as he graduated from Niagara Culinary Institute and sent to Hawaii. But the big island didn’t have the hold on his culinary sensibilities that the Peninsula did and when
For years Mapleton’s Organic, the working dairy farm of visionary owners Martin de Groot and Ineke Booy, has been THE go-to place in central Ontario for spectacular ice cream and frozen and fresh yogurt, especially if you’re on the way
One look at the setting and I’m sold. However, Spencer’s at the Waterfront isn’t just a beautiful lakeside destination, the cuisine is creative and very thoughtful. Chef Andrew McLeod began his culinary career in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario, where
This is a veteran restaurant that not only has huge style but also one of the best bartenders in the city. While it’s known in Toronto as the go-to for fine fining, Splendido is neither stayed or old fashioned, especially
Owner Chris Pengelly is a culinary purist. He wrote recently: “My restaurant really only serves items that are from within the County. I have my own chickens and laying hens, my lamb comes from a farm located 6 kms from
Steph Purdy wrote us at Food Day and said this: “I am looking after our shop in Grand Bend this year and am spending the bulk of my time there, so we thought we would fire up a grill and cook
Named after world-renowned architect, Frank Gehry, who masterfully re-designed the AGO, FRANK also reflects the directness of the food that Anne Yarymowich serves forth. Direct. Honest. Ontario. Frank Gehry’s grandmother lived on Beverley Street, just around the corner from the
The Nith River Chop House in Wellesley is embedded in Waterloo Region’s Mennonite food/farming culture. It’s a real gathering place for the community. Like it’s sister restaurant, The Breadalbane Inn in Fergus, and the Drayton Chop House in Drayton, Nith
What do you do if you’re Italian, own a heavy industrial mall and have access to steel and stone? Clearly you have to open a ristorante! In 2004 the Gregorini family, who DO own an industrial mall and have
Chef Jeff Crump and I first met when he was a student at the Stratford Chefs School with my sons. Even then he was passionate beyond most others in his dedication to hyper local, interesting, ingredients. Then he packed his bags
Chef Nick auf der Mauer believes in simplicity and making the best porchetta sandwich in the city. An array of awards populates his website along with kudos that put this small shop with the best of the city’s eateries. He
In mid July of 2011 the Cambridge Mill opened its doors after a multi million dollar restoration. Right on the Grand River, the location is downright gorgeous! And the food matches! This is fine, approachable dining. Part of the Landmark
Like it’s sister restaurants, The Breadalbane in Fergus, and the Nith River Chop House in Wellesley, the Drayton Chop House is all about local food. They partner with Smoyd Farm, and Mapleton’s Organic Farm, and they also source their meat
Michael Moffatt is the Executive Chef of Play, and its critically acclaimed sister restaurant of both Beckta Dining & Wine and the brand new Gezellig. Michael is one of Canada’s most creative chefs and Stephen Beckta is certainly one of Canada’s great restaurateurs. A reviewer
The old fashioned village of Bayfield has a colourful history. It’s on the gorgeous eastern shoreline of Lake Huron and was laid out just after the War of 1812 by British naval officer and hydrographic surveyor Henry W. Bayfield who
The Bloomfield Carriage House is widely known for exquisite cuisine which includes house made charcuterie, such as boar or elk pâté, rillette and salami using the County’s meats, long fermented sourdoughs made with very local flour which they bake into
Simply named Murray Street Kitchen by owners Paddy Whalen and Steve Mitton, the restaurant was chosen by enRoute magazine as one of the top ten across Canada for 2009. Food critic Anne DesBrisay calls it “manly” and continues, “The soul
Few restaurateurs have had such an impact on the Canadian hospitality industry as Bill Bennett and Mary Beaton. Bill is an architect with a passion for old Ontario structures and between them they completed the first renovation of The Millcroft
Stephen Beckta is one of Canada’s great restaurateurs and he’s part of Food Day Canada. There’s a winning combination at work here…his talent and the the team he has built with Chef Mark Moffatt. An accomplished sommelier, Stephen started at Café
In Ottawa there’s a very tight knit chefs community and when they get together, even when it’s to compete, the camaraderie is real. The team at The Wellington Gastro Pub is large part of this burgeoning culinary scene! Like Borealis
Nick and Nats’ Uptown 21 is an example of how great a locally-inspired restaurant can be. The culinary passion shows. Nick and his team banter back and forth in their open kitchen and between them turn out brilliant, approachable food.
Prince Edward County is an understandable place – an island snuggled up to the north shore of Lake Ontario with sandy beaches, a moderate climate (think “wine”!) and a collection of some of the most creative tourism operators west of
A groovy little breakfast and lunch spot owned by Graham Sayers and Vicki Roy, Chesterfield’s Café features simple, tasty County ingredients. A casual, hip atmosphere with retro furnishings. The BELCH sandwich is not to be missed, along with Vicki’s famous
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