Taste. Tell. Toronto: A Showcase of Culinary Excellence from Canada’s Cultural Capital
Toronto is trending again as a desirable destination for those especially interested in culinary culture.
Taste. Tell. Toronto. was a special evening in New York city where three Ontario-based chefs showcased the culinary highlights of their region. Media and content creators gathered to experience some of the brightest lights on the Toronto food scene, their very diverse heritages and backgrounds, and to hear of the invitations to travelers to experience the unique city of Toronto, which is Canada’s melting pot equivalent to New York.
Lucky attendees were treated to stunning plates and glasses brimming with some of the best ingredients and presentations from Toronto restaurants, bakeries, winemakers and providors. Here they are, in order of appearance, and course.
Beverly Crandon, Sommelier: The Dynamo wine maven dazzled diners with her thoughtful and educated choice of wines to accompany each course. The wines were, of course, examples of the finest varietals of the region and included two distinctly different and elegant chardonnays, a French-style gamay, as well as a rich and robust ice wine. My picks were the Leaning Post Senchuk Vineyard Chardonnay and the Bachelder Les Villages Gamay.
Crandon is a CMS-certified sommelier, founder of the Spice Food & Wine Group, wine expert on CTV the Social, and wine educator at Toronto’s esteemed George Brown College. She makes the experience of drinking Canadian wine both elevated and accessible. If you know nothing about wine, let alone Canadian wine, follow Beverly! And do, even if you think you know about wine. I have routinely avoided Chardonnay since the 1990s and Crandon proved me wrong—twice!
Afrim Pristine, Cheese Course: Our first encounter with Canadian cheese came via the world’s youngest and possibly most charismatic maître fromager (“cheese master!”), whose special skill is practicing affinage, or the art of aging cheese. He owns the Cheese Boutique in Toronto, a three-generation, almost-50-year-old cheese store that houses 450 kinds of cheeses, along with meats, local produce, savory snacks, pastries and desserts, and much more.
For us, the cheese master plated some incredible slices of European-style local fromage including an unforgettable triple cream brie—and a delectable blue. The revelation for us was how well the local cheeses paired with the local wine: Leaning Post Senchuk Vineyard Chardonnay. What a delicious pairing to start a wonderful meal.
Nuit Regular, Royal Thai Bites: This chef is a star and discovery! Nuit Regular has multiple restaurants in Toronto, including: Pai Northern Thai Kitchen, a very popular, often celebrity-frequented spot; Kiin, an upscale restaurant known for its Royal Thai cuisine and multi-dish tasting menus, recognized by Michelin; Sukhothai, a more casual restaurant focusing on northern Thai flavors; Chaiyo, a fast-casual Thai counter located in CIBC Square’s food hall; Sabai Sabai, which has been noted by Canada’s 100 Best; and Tha Phae Tavern, her newest bar, located near Pai in the Entertainment District. For us she made beautiful, aromatic, textured flavor bombs showcasing the best of Thai ingredients and her finesse, which has earned her a Michelin star for Kiin. It was a joy to celebrate this vibrant, successful female entrepreneur—and the city that made her dreams come true.
Carl Heinrich, Beef & Brassicas: Chef Heinrich is an absolute meat master—along with everything, from seafood to desserts at Richmond Station restaurant in Toronto. Chef Carl has won notable awards, primarily the title of Top Chef Canada Season 2 winner in 2012. Richmond Station was nominated for “Best New Restaurant” in Canada by enRoute magazine and achieved a number one ranking on TripAdvisor in Toronto at one point.
For us, he served Dray-Aged Silvertip beef that absolutely melted in the mouth and was so elegantly portioned that the lightest Bachelder Les Villages Gamay (a Beaujolais-style red wine) was a perfect pairing..
Stephanie Duong, Dessert: This acclaimed pastry chef and entrepreneur is known for her modern, French-inspired desserts. Duong is the co-owner and pastry chef of Roselle Desserts, a popular bakery in Toronto which she founded with her partner, Bruce Lee, in 2015. She honed her craft working in Michelin-starred restaurants in France, including L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris (he is the most Michelin-awarded chef, ever). Duong has appeared on television as a chef judge on programs such as Food Network’s Wall of Bakers and Top Chef (as a guest judge).
For us, she made a Maple Forest Cake with a heart of smooth and creamy maple ice cream. This was served with a Cave Spring Riesling Ice Wine. That pairing had us dancing home on a sugar high.
We’ve tasted Toronto, and now we’re telling you: this city’s food scene and its people rock! 100 percent.
Michelin Stars for Toronto & Region Unveiled
The MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region has been announced in what is the fourth edition of the guide, and the second edition that includes selections from beyond Toronto. By spotlighting Toronto’s diverse food scene and the quality of the region’s ingredients, the MICHELIN Guide creates a powerful opportunity to attract global visitors. Culinary tourism is a key driver of Ontario’s economy.
From Koreatown to Little Jamaica, Greektown to Little India, and across its many Chinatowns, Toronto’s neighborhoods showcase flavors from around the world in more than 15,000 restaurants and food establishments. The MICHELIN Guide amplifies this story on the global stage, spotlighting the diversity that defines Toronto’s culinary identity and elevating the city’s appeal for international visitors.
IGLTA Welcomes Toronto as Global Partner
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) announced that Destination Toronto joined as the association’s newest Global Partner, further affirming the city’s long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ communities and its broader culture of welcoming diverse visitors.
As one of North America’s most LGBTQ+ inclusive cities, Toronto is home to a thriving queer community, diverse cultural programming and neighborhoods, and iconic events such as Pride Toronto, the second largest Pride festival in the world.
The elevated partnership with IGLTA will help Destination Toronto strengthen its connection to the international LGBTQ+ travel market and share its welcoming message with travelers around the world.
“Partnerships like this remind us that the values of inclusion and human connection transcend borders,” said John Tanzella (he/him), IGLTA President/CEO. “Destination Toronto’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion reinforces the power of travel to build bridges and celebrate diversity on a global scale.”
“We don’t just celebrate diversity in Toronto, it defines us,” said Andrew Weir (he/him), President & CEO of Destination Toronto.
“From queer-owned businesses and vibrant neighborhoods like the Gay Village to a long-standing commitment to inclusion, Toronto offers all visitors a sense of belonging. Partnering with IGLTA strengthens our ability to amplify that message globally and build connections across the travel and tourism industry with partners who share our values of inclusion and authenticity.”
