Food + Drink: Find Out What’s Cooking This Fall

Sip, stamp and win

Looking for road trip ideas that are as much about food and drink as they are about scenery? Headwaters Crafted Journey is a self-guided tasting adventure that takes visitors to eight local breweries, cideries and wineries. Organized by Central Counties Tourism, this passport program runs until September 30. 

Every stop earns a stamp, and once your passport is full you could win a grand prize or one of four runner-up prizes. And while craft beverages are the focus, the program leans into food pairings too. At GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co., pair a pint with Alchemy Kitchen’s smoky brisket or smoked jackfruit sandwiches. Savour crisp cider alongside deep-dish quiche at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery. Badlands Brewing Company in Caledon is known for its ever-changing beer menu and big-bite smash burgers. And nachos and beer are a match made in heaven at Caledon Hills Brewing Co.’s patio in Palgrave. Cheers to that.

In the Spotlight: A Taste of the Middle East

This fall, professional baker and culinary instructor Lauren Hambleton hosts a hands-on workshop that takes participants and their taste buds on a wander along ancient spice routes, all from her foodie studio near Flesherton, Red Hen Artisanale. Expect the rich scent of cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves to fill the air. 

During this event, A Taste of the Middle East: Flatbreads + Spice Blending Inspired by Tradition, visitors begin at three stations. At one counter they’ll make lahmacun (lah-ma-joon) – a thin flatbread layered with seasoned toppings and herbs. At another, pide (pi-day) is shaped into a boat shape with edges high enough to hold toppings made later in the class. At a third station, cooks will mix spice blends, either in an old-fashioned mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Participants make three different concoctions to take home.

This is Hambleton’s favourite element. Za’atar relies heavily on herbs such as thyme, toasted sesame seeds and sumac, which she says creates a “citrusy, herby, nutty kind of flavour.” The baharat blend features peppercorns, smoked paprika, nutmeg and cloves – to name just a few – and the shawarma mix combines warm essences of ground cumin, coriander and cinnamon, which makes it a versatile addition to meats and vegetables. 

“You get these warm flavours with Middle Eastern cooking that are really interesting and very different from other cuisines,” explains Hambleton, who began her workshops with a focus on sourdoughs before branching out to offer other culinary classes. “I just find the variety of flavours so inspiring.” 

Participants make the breads and spice mixes first, then the vegetarian toppings for the lahmacun will include lentils, red onion, garlic, parsley and roasted tomatoes. The pide will be topped with mushrooms, spinach, peppers and feta. 

This workshop is offered on multiple dates this autumn, including September 26 and November 4, though Red Hen Artisanale also  has a wide variety of other classes to choose from, including how to make pasta, sourdough and pizza from scratch.

A sweet new chapter for a Grand Valley landmark

There’s a new hotspot in Grand Valley boasting house-baked bagels, a menu of sit-and-relax comfort food, and a takeout ice cream counter – all located in the town’s oldest building. The OG 1870, which opened this summer after extensive renovation, offers grab-and-go breakfast available from 5 a.m., hearty lunches like the “hot maple chicken and waffle sammie,” as well as butter tarts and other baked treats. Need soft serve fast? Visit the Tuck Yeah! Creamery Co., named after owners Joshua and Justine Tuck.

Guac this way

Soft tacos with avocado crema, salsa, feta, shredded romaine and pickled red onion are a hot new dish on the lunch menu at Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant in Violet Hill. Available with a choice of shrimp or chicken and served with a fresh garden salad, this platter lets you make your own perfect bite, just how you like it.

Mark your culinary calendar

Sample ice-cold craft beer from more than a dozen breweries at the second annual Craft Beer Market, returning to the Creemore Village Green on September 12. The afternoon also features live music and food, with a starter pack that includes a reusable tasting cup and three 10-ounce tasting tokens.

Oktoberfest arrives in Orangeville a little bit early this year with a German-inspired celebration on Mill Street on September 19. Savour giant pretzels and sausages with sauerkraut at the Bier Garden, sample Oktoberfest beer made by Caledon Hills Brewing Co., browse a marketplace of local shops and vendors, and enjoy live music all day. 

Fall squash and hot honey bruschetta, seared Wellington County beef and a Niagara peach and almond tart are just some of the dishes to expect at The Art of Harvest on September 25 at Hockley Valley Resort’s Cabin. The evening begins with season-inspired cocktails and canapes, followed by a three-course meal hosted by executive chef Sunil Nandal. Each course is paired with wine selections. 

Join the end-of-summer party at Sonnen Hill Brewing’s fifth annual Jive Fest on September 26, with special releases to taste, ice cream, local food pop-ups, and fun activities planned throughout the day. 

Whimsical woodland treats 

Inspired by the beauty of autumn, these playful pumpkins and fairy-tale mushrooms are almost too cute to eat – but it’ll be hard to resist popping one in your mouth. Handcrafted by François Rahier and Yoonhee Chang of Creemore’s YF Patissier + Chocolatier, the woodland treats are a mix of milk chocolate and white chocolate, and decorated using cocoa butter.

Earthy Indulgence

It just takes a drizzle of black truffle oil to turn a simple side dish like French fries into an elevated experience. Gurinder and Amerpal Sehmi are the team behind Truffles and Circumstance, a line of truffle-infused oils, seasonings and sauces made in Bolton and crafted using real ingredients and no fake flavours.

“When you’re using real truffle it just makes a world of a difference,” says Gurinder. To make dreamy truffle parmesan fries she recommends using their Black Truffle EVOO, fresh parsley, grated parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt – but to be extra decadent, she dips the fries into their Black Truffle Ranch dipping sauce.

Famous fritters

The famous apple fritters at Holtom’s Bakery – golden-brown on the outside, soft and filled with apple – are a longtime favourite for residents and day-trippers taking in the village of Erin’s downtown. Crafted from a cherished family recipe passed down through generations and finished with a sweet glaze, these autumn treats are also available in Orangeville at GSC Catering on Broadway.

From the K9 Kitchen 

Beef broth freezies, sweet potato fries, pup-safe cookies and dog brews are all on the menu at Global Pet Foods in Orangeville. This special lineup of treats has been created just for man’s best friend. You can also find these canine-friendly snacks at the Bluebird Café and Grill, known for its dog-friendly patio on Orangeville’s Broadway.

Coffee with a crunch

Forget tossing this container. At Cordoba Café at Campbell’s Cross Farm near Inglewood, velvety, creamy dolce di caffè, a dessert made with fresh roasted espresso beans, is now served in an oat-based edible cup that you can munch on, much like a waffle cone. “It’s a fun take on food, and the cup won’t break apart before you finish,” promises owner Claudio Cordi, a Bolton resident who opened the café two years ago as an extension of his main business, the local coffee brand Cordoba Coffee.

Nutella … but make it healthy

Made with roasted hazelnuts, pure Quebec maple sugar and cacao, Hazelle is a chocolate hazelnut spread crafted with three premium ingredients and no additives or emulsifiers. This collaboration between Orangeville’s Giddy Yo and Quebec’s Hazelle Chocolat Noir delivers a Canadian-made alternative that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying. Available in their storefront on Coles Crescent, or shop online. 

Sparking perry

What do you do when life hands you too many pears? Make pear cider! The Pear Necessities is the first ever perry from Heartwood Cidery, delivering a refreshing blend of subtle sweetness, bright acidity and, thanks to the natural, non-fermentable sugars in pear juice, a touch of the fruit’s sweetness.