Stratford, Ontario is known not only for its theatrical and artistic flair, but it’s been widely heralded as a culinary destination for food lovers alike. After all, this little gem houses the renowned Stratford Chefs School; many talented individuals have passed through its studious kitchens and the rigorous standards upheld by their Chef instructors. Alumni such as Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich have marked their place in the culinary echelons of this ever evolving industry.
I got the chance to attend an intimate cocktail reception and gourmet dining experience hosted by Samsung Canada. We learned about the latest and greatest in home appliance innovations in the new top-of-the-line Samsung Chef Collection at a spacious pop-up showroom near King St and Church St on June 19, 2014.
From the owner of Fishbar, William Tavares has quietly opened Ossington Stop last month, a snack bar near Dundas and Ossington. It’s all about comfort food, cheap drinks, and a kitchen open until 4am making it a prime late night destination at Dundas West.
In the midst of this beautiful sunny weather, who doesn’t love hitting up patios? To help you maximize your patio time this summer, Jack Astor’s has expanded their patio menu and boasts taking “extreme patio measures” including providing complimentary sunscreen, beer coasters that double as “rain guards” and a chance to win a spontaneous plane trip to one of the greatest patios in Muskoka.
Summers are absolutely amazing in Toronto, and Torontonians love to spend it outdoors. So when there’s a new entrant in Toronto’s vibrant patio scene, we take notice. La Libre is this next exciting entrant, officially opening its doors last week.
Executive Chef Eric Wood, formerly of Hawthorne Food and Drink, and Fabarnak, now heads the kitchen at the Beverley Hotel’s restaurant. On June 25, we were fortunate to be one of the guests to be treated to the chef’s new summer menu at this young boutique hotel in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood.