In the final instalment of the 50 Best Explores Ontario mini-documentary series, we circle back to grab chefs Ignacio Mattos and Junghyun Park’s lasting memories from their Canadian adventure
Between 16th and 21st August this year, two of New York’s top chefs explored Canada. They took the short journey north to the province of Ontario to discover why the region is fast garnering a global reputation as a gastronomic capital, guided by some of the area’s top chefs. With perfect growing conditions for unique and historic crops and an ideal climate for wine production, food lovers in the know are beginning to recognise Toronto and the surrounding region as holding real holiday potential.
Ignacio Mattos of Estela restaurant and Junghyun ‘JP’ Park from Atomix took on two separate paths to get to grips with the Ontarian food scene. Mattos headed north to Kawarthas Northumberland, an area of outstanding natural beauty that produces the ingredients that find their way into the kitchens of Toronto’s restaurants, while Park headed out east into Ontario’s Wine Country. They ended the trip together in the cosmopolitan city of Toronto, to swap stories and compare notes on the respective routes.
The teams admire the countryside at Tamarack Farms
Kawarthas Northumberland
“I think the highlight for me was the countryside on the whole,” says Mattos, taking the call from his busy New York kitchen. “Coming from a big city it can be easy to forget where the product comes from and visiting Tamarack farm felt very special. Seeing first hand how dynamic and responsible they are at every level, from caring for the animals to looking after the crops really resonated with me. I grew up on a farm and coming here brought back many amazing memories. One day I would love to work so closely with a place that grows the ingredients.
“But I have to mention the butter tarts from Doo Doo’s Bakery,” he exclaims. Arguably Canada’s prime pastry export, these small baked sweetmeats are the stuff of legend. A pastry shell encasing a filling made from butter, sugar, syrup and eggs, the recipe is as simple as Canadians are passionate about their proliferation. ‘Butter tart tourism’ is a recent phenomenon; there’s a butter tart festival at Ontario’s Muskoka Lakes and a butter tarts tour in Kawarthas Northumberland.
“They are just so good,” says Mattos. “I just wish I had some here with me today”.
Butter tarts from Doo Doo's Bakery
Ontario Wine Country
A slave to his art, Park took it upon himself to sip and slurp his way around Ontario’s best wine producers. He was surprised to learn the number of grape varietals that grow successfully in this part of the world, which he discovered is on a similar line of latitude to Bordeaux in France and some of the world’s finest wine producers.
Where Canadian vintners really step it up is in the food offering on the wine estates. Many have a head chef; all diversify by growing a range of crops equally suited to the local terroirs. Locations such as Peller Estates go full circle, serving the wines produced on site with the food grown nearby.
Park’s highlightsof the trip come from the time he spent sampling the local wine enjoying alfresco lunches in the Canadian summer sun. “I really enjoyed the meal at Langdon Hall,” he says. “I didn't expect their level of hospitality and cuisine. All the produce and the wines, everything was amazing. That was one of my favourite moments sitting outside having lunch with the whole team.
“Driving around the property was just stunning. The meal we had is oriented towards comfort food, but modernised. It’s simply very good produce, cooked with the right technique, beautifully balanced and full of flavour.”
Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in January and discover where 50 Best Explores will be heading to next…
Now read what chef Ignacio Mattos discovered about heritage products in Kawarthas Northumberland and what Junghyun Park learnt about in Wine Country Ontario, or watch the videos in the series. 50 Best Explores Ontario is produced in partnership with the Culinary Tourism Alliance, AirCanada and Feast On®.
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