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Eric Chong
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Eric Chong – From White Oaks to MasterChef and Beyond

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Eric Chong, MasterChef Canada winner, restaurant owner and Oakville native is making his mark on the food scene. On the set of Canada’s MasterChef, he gained the attention of Michelin-starred chef Alvin Leung and together they opened Toronto restaurant R&D. We sat down with Eric to learn about his journey from White Oaks Secondary School to renowned chef.

Before the restaurant world came calling, you were an engineer. Was engineering the initial “dream” or was becoming a chef always the end goal? 

I went to McMaster University and graduated as a Chemical Engineer. I worked as one for a bit but my dream was always to become a famous chef! To me, goals and dreams are two different things. A dream is something you hope for and a goal is something you work hard and strive for and can eventually attain. I never thought I would ever be able to be a professional chef because growing up in a traditional Asian household, you have the choice of being a doctor,  lawyer or engineer. Being a chef was looked down upon, thus being a dream of mine.

What was it like being on MasterChef? Were you still living in Oakville at the time? 

 Being on the show was surreal. I watched MasterChef USA with my family, so getting to experience it first hand was crazy. I had never been so nervous and anxious in my whole life. That being said, it was so much fun! We all lived in a hotel downtown Toronto. 

Do you come to Oakville from time to time? What is your go-to restaurant when you’re in town? 

I do come to Oakville quite often because my parents still live here. I think 7 Enoteca is quite good! I know the owner there and every time I go the food and service is phenomenal!

Tell us about R&D and your partnership with Michelin-starred chef Alvin Leung. How did the restaurant come to fruition?… What inspired the menu? What is the atmosphere like? 

 Alvin first invited me to Hong Kong to work in his three Michelin-starred restaurant Bo Innovation and to try other Michelin-starred restaurants. From there, we decided to work together and open up R&D. R&D stands for Rebel and Demon. Alvin is the Demon chef of course, and I am the Rebel for deviating from the traditional path of being a doctor or an engineer. It is also an homage to both our engineering backgrounds as R&D is often known as Research & Development (which we did a lot of to create the menu).

 The menu is inspired by classic Asian dishes that Alvin and I both love. We just add our own modern twist to it! The atmosphere at R&D is lively and fast-paced. We play old school hip hop and have trendy designs throughout the dining room. We have an open kitchen where guests can see us cook right before their eyes.

Do you mind sharing a recipe with us?

This recipe is very dear to my heart as it has been passed down from my grandpa. On the menu, it is called Grandpa’s Fun Guo and has been on the menu since the very first day we opened. The dough is similar to a traditional har gow dumpling, translucent and perfectly al dente. We fill our dough with chicken, truffle, bamboo, and carrots.

Grandpa’s Fun Guo Dough Recipe

You recently got engaged, congratulations! How does a chef pick a caterer for their wedding? I’m sure the bar is high (and we’re sure you have some wonderful connections in the industry!) Have you started planning the wedding menu? 

Yes, we did! It was tough to pick a venue that would meet everyone’s expectations. We wanted to personalize our wedding menu so that each course had significance to my fiancée and I. We wanted to incorporate some of our favourite ingredients, but I will have to keep our 5-course dinner a secret for now! 

What’s next for you? 

​I hope to open up a fine dining restaurant in the near future. I will also be heading back to Asia to film the second season of Wok the World, a show where Alvin and I travel around different parts of Asia to discover
the Chinese roots in other
Asian cuisines.

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Artisanal Bread
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Breaking Bread – The Hot Demand For Craft Loaves

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Across the globe, through the centuries and seasons, despite low-carb diets and other fleeting food fads, people have turned to bread for sustenance, pleasure and, undeniably, for comfort. From flatbreads and focaccias to sourdoughs made with faithfully-fed starters, the world of bread is home to innumerable variations. Yet, as with most things, fresh is best and breads crafted by hand, based on age-old recipes are the ones worth a spot at your table.

For a taste of the best bread Oakville and Burlington has to offer, forgo pre-packaged options and instead pay a visit to local bakeries where the aroma wafting through the door hits you before you even step inside. 

At Oakville’s Monastery Bakery, the vast selection of imported groceries, prepared meals and desserts almost steals the show. Navigate your way to the back of the store, though, and a truly impressive room of hot-from-the-oven bread awaits. A literal world of options, from Portuguese sweet bread and marble rye to spelt and honey loaves vie for space in shoppers’ baskets. Nearby, Patisserie D’Or is the spot to linger over butter-laden, hand-rolled croissants, fruit danishes and other authentic Gallic goodies. Preservative-free breads such as crisp baguettes and ever-popular cheese loaves are handmade and based on time-tested recipes.

You don’t have to go far to find classic, Montreal style bagels. In 2017, OKO Bagels opened its doors in Oakville and recently opened a second store on James Street in Hamilton. Their artisanal bagels have an unmatched taste – after the dough is boiled in signature honey-water, the bagels make their way to the hand-built masonry oven to be wood-fired to perfection. Whether you’re into cream-cheese or jam, OKO has handmade condiments for every palette, as well as artisanal sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweets.

At Aveiro Bakery in Oakville, bakers craft 12 varieties of bread from complex doughs, using traditional recipes and specialized ingredients. “They are made from scratch, in house with love. No shortcuts have been taken. We are about quality not quantity,” says co-owner Patricia De Oliveira. Artisanal favourites include sun-dried tomato, muesli and calabrese breads, each one prized for its taste as well as for being, “real food.” As Oliveira explains, “we hear time and time again that our breads are not only delicious but also don’t give digestive problems to those who are sensitive.” Find other healthy alternatives at the Danish Pastry House where valnøddebrød, walnut bread with sunflower seeds, softkernal sourdough rye and more accompany trays
brimming with other traditional Danish breads and treats.

In Burlington, shoppers flock to the Brick Oven Bakery in business since 1982. Traditional spaccatelli buns, 9-grain, sourdough and raisin loaves are all baked on-site every day. At Denninger’s Foods of the World, a small army of staff work diligently to create a rotating menu of delicacies. Specialty breads include potato and onion loaves and Asiago cheese and spice bread.

Baking by Siana

Popular Burlington restaurant, Wundeba, has a secret weapon on their team – their pastry chef, Siana Dombkowski. Graduate of the International Baking Academy in Germany, Siana runs her own boutique bakery, Baking by Siana, along with creating delicious treats at Wundeba.  From breads, to bagels and buns, Siana butters, bakes, and boils each item with specialty ingredients and flavour. Her German and Indian influence really shine in her recipes, including a new turmeric sourdough. Her menu also features a potato sourdough, chocolate sourdough, and many other sweet and savoury pastries, cookies, scones, pies, and cakes. Siana really does it all.

 Whether you crave buttery, velvety brioche or robust loaves bursting with seeds and grains, artisanal bread is worth seeking out, worth savouring and sharing and worth revisiting again and again.

by Christine Peddie

Local Links

OKO Bagels
OKOBagels.com

Monastery Bakery
Monasterybakery.com

Patisserie D’Or
Patisseriedor.com

Danish Pastry House
Danishpastryhouse.ca

Brick Oven Bakery
Thebrickovenbakery.ca

Denninger’s Foods of the World
Denningers.com

Aveiro Bakery

Baking by Siana 
Bakingbysiana.ca

Wundeba 
Wundeba.ca

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Sip & Sizzle your way into barbecue season

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Canadians love to barbecue, that’s for sure! Our cold winters make it difficult to barbecue year-round but as soon as the weather heats up and the sun starts shining we take to the coals. After a long winter and a slow start to spring, warmer weather is finally on the way. Charcoal-happy Canadians will soon return to their grills as we start gathering on decks and patios for some long-awaited al-fresco dining.

There is no better way to kick-off barbecue season than with Sip & Sizzle, the month-long wine and food pairing event where grape meets grill! Visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake every weekend in May, and experience a unique grilled food item perfectly paired with a premium VQA wine at over 20 wineries. A great way to get some inspiration for your summer grilling menu. After all, outdoor cookout fare is no longer limited to burgers and hot dogs. Outdoor grilling has become much more sophisticated and the right wine pairing is key to rounding off the perfect barbecue.

Touring passes are on sale now, get yours today! A Sip & Sizzle pass entitles you to one VQA wine tasting and food pairing at each of our 26 member wineries and is valid May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26 from 11am to 5pm. Driver passes are also available for purchase and they include one non-alcoholic beverage and food pairing at each winery.

When we think of barbecue, smoky meats in spicy rubs and flavourful sauces immediately come to mind. And while there will be plenty of that on offer, there will also be some delicious vegetarian and vegan options available. Download our pairings list to see some of the wonderfully creative combinations our wineries have come up with this year.

It’s no wonder this event is so popular. After enduring a bitter cold winter, we are all eager to get out there and enjoy the sunshine. And when you add delicious wine and food, beautiful patios, vineyard views, and some good company to the mix, it just doesn’t get much better than that!

As always, the passes are valid every weekend in May, so plan your visits over several weekends.

Take your time and enjoy your winery visits at a leisurely pace, and perhaps sample some other wines at the tasting bar. Many wineries release new wines in spring, so it’s a great opportunity to try some new releases and maybe discover some new favourites. Remember to stock up on your favourite wines for the season so you are ready for all the barbecues and outdoor entertaining.

If you are traveling with a group of 8 or more guests, please have your group organizer call ahead to the wineries you plan to visit with your approximate arrival time so that they can plan for your group’s arrival and serve you better.

Presented by Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Visit our website at wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com

Follow us on:
Facebook @wineriesofniagaraonthelake
Instagram @niagarawine
Twitter @NiagaraWine

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The Case for Space – Spark Joy This Spring

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Space – it’s something we all need. Whether it’s additional space in our homes, our schedules, or even our minds, we could always use a little more of it. Humans are naturally inclined to seek items that bring comfort, so ridding ourselves of our stuff to make room for essentials and well, space, is not only hard to do but also difficult to maintain. When our cluttered homes start to clutter our minds, it’s time to call in the experts for a little assistance.

Fortunately, the art of organization is at the forefront right now. There are plenty of avenues available to help declutter, whether it’s books or television shows, or even phone apps. But if we want to really keep on pace, we need to follow a guide and adhere to the script. Whether it’s clothes or knickknacks or our children’s artwork, our stuff can overwhelm us. 

Most of us struggle when it comes to purging our belongings. Making that final decision to toss or donate can be difficult and painful. This is where the professionals come in handy, offering a detached and clinical eye: should it stay or should it go?

“It can definitely be an overwhelming and challenging task,” says Anna Scarangella of Organize 4 You. “I suggest starting with one room and sticking with it if you can. Organize within one room, making piles of what you want to keep and get rid of, and moving pile to pile.”

Anna has been helping people declutter and purge for 18 years, and understands how truly difficult it can be, especially when it comes to letting complete strangers invade their personal space.

Decluttering

“No one wants to be judged for their mess,” she says. “There’s a lot of anxiety involved in bringing a stranger into your home. It can be hard and uncomfortable, and very tricky to navigate. It takes people a long time to admit they need help. I know it’s easy to get discouraged, so I try to teach them skills.”

Anna says her clients are primarily working women with children. “Most responsibility for organizing and purging falls on women,” she says, and she often has repeated clients who like her service so much that they ask her to return and do another purge up to a year later. “You have to respect the client,” says Anna, “and the client has to be ready to organize and purge and get rid of stuff. They have to be in the right mindset.”

Rose Ritchi from Organize Me Please also has a few helpful tips when it comes to getting your space in order. She suggests starting with the basement, storage area, or a cluttered room that you just can’t stand anymore. These areas tend to be out of sight/out of mind locations, so you’ll have better success in letting go of items there.   

“It’s a family affair,” she says about purging. “You didn’t create this clutter on your own so pick a date with the family and get their commitment. Keep in mind, food and cash always perk up teenager’s ears. Plan on a morning or afternoon, not a full day, because kids with electronics or cell phones tend to go missing in action.”

Her tried-and-true decluttering supplies include drinks and snacks, a timer set for an hour at a time, followed by a five-minute break, and bags/boxes/labels/markers. These are vital for marking items destined for charity, to toss, to recycle, to give to family members and as cherished memories.

“There are usually lots of items that have memories attached to them that bring up emotions, so be kind to yourselves,” says Rose. “Take these items and put them in a box to go through when you have the time to truly enjoy them, then you can make clear decisions to let them go or not.”

Decluttering

 Regardless of your ultimate goal, organizers stress that focus is key. Stay in one spot at a time, and don’t wander. Rose also suggests assessing your current storage availability: are there shelving units? Plastic containers?

 And all the experts always stress this above all: maintenance. Once you’ve purged, you need to keep it clean and organized. “Right now, you have a clean organized spot, everything in it place,” says Rose. “Let’s keep it that way. Advise all family members that at the end of the day take five minutes to survey their areas and any item that is not in the correct place, pick it up and put it where it should go.”

 With just five minutes a day, you can keep your home neat and tidy leaving you with plenty of time to get on with the important things in life, such as family time and dare we say, a little R&R.

“There’s no one way to do it,” stresses Anna. “Everyone is different. Be conscious of your choices. Everything changes over time, and once it’s in your house it’s hard to get it out!”

by Allison Dempsey

Local Links

Organize Me Please
Organizemepleasecanada.com

Organize 4 You
Organize4you.ca

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A Community Hub With A Cultural Twist – What’s On At Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre

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Within the grounds of a high school, there are decades of memories within lockers and bathroom stalls, under bleachers and on the football field. There have been broken hearts and championships, school dances and graduations. With diploma in hand, many of us begin the quest for bigger opportunity, leaving behind the memories, likely never to see those four walls again – except for maybe at a reunion.

However, the alumni of Queen Elizabeth Park high school have a unique opportunity to walk those halls again – though the halls may look vastly different. In March 2012, the school re-opened after an extensive renovation under new ownership of the Town of Oakville, a community rich in arts, culture and heritage. The multi-use facility is housed inside the old QE Park high school north of Rebecca Street in West Oakville and features more than 144,000 square feet of activity space, making it one of the largest venues of its kind in Canada. It was purchased and renovated by the Town of Oakville at a cost of $27 million and, as far as they know, there isn’t another building of its kind in Canada that provides so many activities under one roof.

Since the opening, the facility has exceeded community expectations, offering a clay studio, wood shop, fibre arts centre, gallery, swimming pool, fitness studio, performance theatre, and dance studio, among many other amenities.

Susan Amaral, Manager of QEPCCC, says the next few months will be busy at the facility with rotating exhibits, drop-in classes, workshops, and more. Now is a better time than ever to visit this community gem.

Gallery and Hallway Exhibits

The gallery and hallway spaces have rotating exhibits throughout
the year. Entrance to the gallery is free of charge during gallery hours.

Main Gallery:

January – February 2019 : Children’s Photo Exhibit

February – March 2019 : Canadian Tapestry Centre

March – April 2019 : Ontario Society of Artists

April – May 2019 : ArtWorks Oakville

Corridors (Winter Exhbits):

White Oaks High School IB Visual Art program final exhibition, ArtWorks Oakville, Oakville Arts Society, Oakville Camera Club, Oakville Fibre Artists, Oakville Quilters’ Guild, Studio 3 Members, Youth Centre Exhibition, Lisa Rubic, Jay Park, Pam Read & Gina Morewood, Suzana Poposka, Laura Kay Keeling

Call for Exhibition Submissions

The Town of Oakville is developing a Public Art program to integrate artists and artwork into the development of applicable public projects. Art is to be acquired through a public process with the specific intention of being in the public realm. Public art may be temporary or permanent artworks and may include but is not limited to sculptures, mosaics, banners, earthworks, or street furniture.

The next deadline for submissions is September 1, 2019.

Drop-In Classes

All-Ages Ceramics Drop-In on Saturdays, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Check out the clay studio whether you are a novice or a pro, or just curious about clay! Children must be accompanied/supervised by an adult at all times.

Older Adult Centre
QEPCCC has an Older Adults Centre with a wide range of activities and programs for 50+. Upcoming events include:

March 13, St. Patrick’s Day Party
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party in the Black Box featuring a Celtic trio called Erin’s Marlore. A light lunch will be served along with some good Irish tunes. Tickets are $15 per person.

April 10, Easter Bonnet Tea & Flower Arranging Workshop
Celebrate the start of spring with tea and a flower arranging demonstration by a local florist.
Wear your favourite Easter bonnet. Tickets are $8.00
which includes light refreshments.

Youth

Every year, Oakville celebrates National Youth Week with FREE activities, learning opportunities and events for youth
ages 11-19.

Throughout the week of May 1 to May 6, youth will have FREE access to all drop-in youth programs, open houses at all Town of Oakville youth centres, creative activities with the Oakville Public Library, and so much more!

School and Group Visits

With unique programming options, students can experience hands-on learning in performing arts, studio arts, recreation, youth education, heritage programs, and more.

Want to be added to the teacher’s email list about upcoming school curriculum events? Please email shelly.datseris@oakville.ca

by Annieliese Lawton

Local Link

Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
Oakville.ca

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Alternative Health Methods
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Health is a Team Sport – Alternative Methods to Achieving Your Health Goals

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The Greek philosopher, Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine.” Today, the holistic medical world still follows this doctrine of healing the whole body when it comes to healing sickness. And, if you consider that we will eat more than 85,000 meals in an average lifetime, it’s no surprise that Hippocrates and today’s holistic practitioners still believe that what we eat matters to our health. So, how can we take steps to incorporate these natural living health-care regimes into our lives?

A well-rounded and natural approach to health care focuses on optimal wellness of an individual with a variety of techniques aimed at restoring a healthy balance to the body. In the past, most people would automatically seek out medical care, but holistic care is now one of the fastest growing areas of modern health care.

Maryellen Tedeschi is a naturopathic graduate and soon to be doctor at NEX Wellness in Burlington. NEX Wellness is one of the many holistic clinics throughout the country that offer holistic medicine, personalized nutrition, and lifestyle medicine plans such as regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management.

Maryellen explains that patients should expect their first visit to the clinic to take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. The time is needed to discuss the patient’s health history, any illnesses diagnosed by their medical doctor, any physical, mental, emotional or digestive issues, lifestyle habits, sleep patterns, and levels of energy. Once all the information has been collected, the doctor will then ask more specific questions into areas of concern. Following a general physical exam, the patient and doctor determine the patient’s personalized health goals and design a plan to achieve them.

Holistic medicine treatments can help manage many health challenges such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes management, multiple sclerosis, migraines, back pain, chronic pain, hypertension, hormone imbalances, anxiety and depression, thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases and digestive issues such as heartburn, bloating, food allergies and sensitivities, and irritable bowel diseases.

Like traditional medicine, holistic care can use a variety of diagnostic tools which includes blood work. However, they may also use additional measures such as acupuncture treatment, herbal medicines and preparations, personalized nutrition and  lifestyle counseling, IV therapies, nutrient infusions and hair analysis to develop a deeper understanding of their patients’ needs. All of the techniques are designed to evaluate various states of the body. Some of these diagnostic tools as well as the costs of the naturopathic doctor are covered by most extended health insurance packages. It is best to contact your individual provider for details.

It is becoming more common for traditional medical doctors, naturopathic doctors and other health experts to work together on patient care. “Being healthy is a team sport and involving outside practitioners onto a patient’s health team is always a decision for the patients”, says Maryellen who sees only better care when all of the experts collaborate.

NEX Wellness is but one of the many holistic care clinics in a growing industry and no two offer the same services. Some holistic clinics focus on nutritional management and offer cooking classes, food education, grocery store tours, pantry audits, and therapeutic meal planning with recipes. Others include services such as traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, massage treatment, weight and lifestyle management, women’s health, pain management, stress reduction and body movement. What they all have in common is their approach to the whole body rather than managing symptoms.

A decade ago there were two distinctly different camps of health care; traditional medicine and holistic care. Today these two industries are crossing over for comprehensive patient care that respects each unique individual, the combination of symptoms they present and the best treatment for the individual. Being healthy is definitely a team sport.

by Lynn Ogryzlo

Lynn Ogryzlo is a food writer and holistic nutritionist. She has founded FOOD 101, offering food education and healthy eating classes in Niagara and Toronto. www.FOOD101.ca

Local Links

NEX Wellness
Nexwellness.com

Oakville Naturopathic Clinic
 Oakvillenaturopathicclinic.com

Healing Arts Acupunture
 Healingartsacupuncture.ca

Abaton Integrative Medicine
 Abatonim.com

Balance Point Health Centre
Balancepointhc.com

Burlington Natural Health Centre
Burlingtonnaturalhealth.ca

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Firebat Coffee Roasters
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Meet The Entrepreneurs – Gustavo & Leena, Owners – Firebat Coffee Roasters

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…

Where do you source your beans?

We source our beans directly from quality driven small-scale producers in El Salvador. By engaging in a Direct Trade model we can offer an additional level of transparency to our customers of the specific farm the beans come from, the bean varietal, drying method, altitude. To the coffee producers direct trade enables them to be independent of the disastrous commodity market that for decades has kept the coffee prices low therefore not allowing sustainable production. 

What is your philosophy behind farming?

We promote sustainable farming which is an integral concept that takes into consideration not only the protection of the forest and water resources by growing coffee under the shade of the trees, but also the protection of local economies by paying fairly and employing local people, predominantly women, to harvest and process the coffee by hand.

What was the inspiration behind the Firebat brand?

We started this journey in El Salvador which is part of a bigger region called Mesoamerica once known as the Mayan empire. In the Mayan mythology the bat means change; letting go of the old to create space for new to come. In the coffee farms, bats are also an integral part of protecting coffee forests by keeping insects at bay. El Salvador is known as the land of fire with numerous active volcanoes and coffee thrives on volcanic soil, hence our name Firebat.

What’s your favourite roast that you carry?

We are proud of all our coffees, each of them has a solid place in the coffee flavour wheel and their own target audience. If we had to choose, our favourites are coffees from Shangrila and La Roxanita farms because of their flavour complexity.

Firebat Coffee Roasters

407 Speers Road, Unit 7 Back, Oakville   |    firebatcoffee.com

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Hayley Verrall
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Hayley Verrall – Healing The Heart and Singing for Smiles

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Some people spend a lifetime trying to find their calling. Many never find it.

For Hayley Verrall, it came in a single moment as she looked into her grandmother’s eyes and saw the joy that she was feeling from hearing Hayley sing.

“I had always loved singing but in that moment, to see her eyes light up and see that she was trying to sing along, it was like a miracle that happened. I discovered then that my purpose was to sing,” said Hayley, who is now 21.

Hayley was born and raised in Burlington and, by the age of 13, was doing open mic shows as well as performing at restaurants and street festivals. She never took it seriously as a career option.

“I was just sort of exploring it,” said Hayley, who lives in Brant Hills.

In 2015 her grandmother had a stroke which paralyzed the right side of her body. She was also struggling with dementia. Both left her unable to speak. During one of Hayley’s visits, she decided to sing to her grandmother. 

“When I started singing and she tried to sing along, it was such a special moment. It was a really big moment for me and I knew then that it was my purpose to sing for people and inspire people.”

Afterwards, Hayley’s family noticed that her grandmother had more movement on her right side and less paralysis in her throat. That moment was so powerful that it stayed with Hayley into her college years when she was studying in the Music Industry Arts and Performance Program at Centennial College.

During a project, she came up with the idea of Singing for Smiles. She would use her talents as a country singer and songwriter to perform for seniors. She started out slow and the demand now has her performing at various retirement homes every month plus other venues.

“All of a sudden all of these other places started contacting me,” said Hayley, who graduated from college last April. The requests have come from as far away as Paris and Toronto.

One thing she noticed was that a lot of seniors’ homes were playing classical music for residents but it was the old country classics by performers like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline, that got the biggest responses.

“It’s because they tell a story and for a lot of them, the songs bring back memories and take them back to their childhoods.”

For Hayley, it’s the response from people that is the best part.

“They’re just loving it. Even nursing home staff say they see a change. When I sang Jolene (by Dolly Parton), a guy was crying on the couch. Another time, I was singing and this lady was dancing.”

Photo courtesy of Jill Lunn (LUNN Music Media and Consulting)

Hayley also performed over Christmas for patients at Joseph Brant Hospital, local Canada Day celebrations, and during the Inauguration of City Council. Her dream is to develop a music therapy program to run concurrently with her music performance business.

Her talents haven’t gone unnoticed. Last November she won a place in the Ontario Country Music Association International competition. In March she will represent Ontario at the North American Country Music Associations International competition in front of music industry professionals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Representatives from all over the U.S., plus three chapters in Canada, will be present.

Hayley’s mom, Kim Verrall, says she’s “very proud” of her daughter.

“She’s doing very well and I think she’s making quite a name for herself in the Halton region.”

Hayley will be performing her country rock and pop songs as well as some originals at:

Pepperwood Bistro, Burlington:
March 29 & 30 from 8.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.

Uncorked On Main, Georgetown:
March 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

by Denise Davy

Local Link

Hayley Verrall
Hayleyverrallmusic.com

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Unearth What Makes The Niagara-on-the-Lake Appellation So Special At Exclusive Dig Our Roots Events

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Mark your calendars as Dig Our Roots, the annual celebration of the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation, is only three weeks away (April 12–14). During this weekend, avid wine lovers will have an exclusive opportunity to discover the rich history and unique terroir of this one-of-a-kind wine growing region.

The Dig Our Roots Winemakers Dinner will be the official kick-off to the Dig Our Roots weekend and will be held in the beautiful Upper Canada Hall Ballroom at the Pillar and Post on Friday, April 12. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to rub shoulders with pioneers of the Ontario wine industry. The evening will begin with a sparkling reception where you can mingle with winemakers from several member wineries. Following the reception you will enjoy an exceptional dinner curated by Executive Chef, Mark Longster. As you enjoy the locally-inspired dishes and the exceptional wines that perfectly accompany them you can interact with the winemakers seated at your table. You will have the opportunity to learn about their approach to winemaking and how the unique terroir of their vineyards results in wines of exceptional quality and diversity. It will be an evening to remember! Purchase your tickets today as capacity is limited.

During the three-day weekend, the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake will open their doors to offer unique experiences that showcase our wines, our winemakers and our terroir like never before. At these exclusive events you can gain in-depth knowledge of the unique terroir in our four distinct sub-appellations – Niagara River, Niagara Lakeshore, Four Mile Creek, and St. David’s Bench. Wineries are offering a variety of formats to suit everyone’s preference – from vineyard walks to blending sessions, library tastings, dinners, interactive tasting flights, behind the scenes experiences and more. Visit our website to review the complete list of experiences available and download the Weekend at a Glance document and the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake map to plan your personalized itinerary for the full weekend. Purchase tickets to winery events today as spots are filling up quickly.

If you can’t make it down to Niagara-on-the-Lake this April you may still have an opportunity to learn about our unique appellation. This year the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are hosting a special tasting in Toronto. Three member wineries – Inniskillin Wines, Reif Estate Winery, Strewn Winery – will be offering an exclusive tasting in the state-of-the-art wine lab at George Brown College on April 2nd. The theme of the evening will be Old Vines and Aged Wines. The winemakers will guide you through a tasting of exclusive back vintage and old vine wines that reflect the heritage and quality that Niagara-on-the-Lake is able to produce. Purchase tickets today as capacity is very limited.

Join us this April to discover the rich history of winemaking in this region and unearth what makes the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation and our wines so very special.

Presented by Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Vegetarian Restaurants
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Oakville and Burlington’s Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants

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From concern for the environment to fierce affection for four-legged friends, there are plenty of reasons why vegan and vegetarian diets are more popular than ever. Instead of raising eyebrows, plant-based menus are now a major draw for restaurants looking to stay relevant and on-trend. Menus are being revamped, chefs are playing with their food to delightful effect, and animal-free ordering has become the norm. Hop on the bandwagon with a visit to Oakville and Burlington’s top destinations for vegan and vegetarian dining.

Boon Burger Oakville | Photo courtesy of @justinpluslauren

New to meat-free meals? Then start with something familiar and redone in a guilt-free way. From shakes and “Peace-za” to poutine and legume-based burgers topped with everything from peach chutney to pulled jackfruit, Boon Burger Café is the place for modern twists on comfort-food classics. With locations in Oakville and Burlington, Boon’s extensive menu can satisfy any craving. For lighter meals, Lettuce Love Café, also in Oakville and Burlington, is a vegan spot offering made-from-scratch, organic-when-possible soups, sandwiches, bowls and hearty weekend breakfasts.

Lettuce Love Cafe | in Oakville & Burlington

A dedicated vegetarian menu with plenty to savour is the perfect excuse to stop in to Paradiso’s Oakville and Burlington locations. With mouth-watering options such as phyllo-wrapped baked brie, sundried tomato arancini and spicy harissa pappardelle, vegetarian diners will feel as pampered and well-fed as their meat-eating companions.

Dar Nabati, Oakville

Oakville is also home to Dar Nabati and Stoney’s Bread Company, a place for substantial appetites with some of the tastiest vegetarian pizzas, sandwiches and salads in town. At Dar Nabati, customers can enjoy 100% plant-based food and drinks. Inventive takes, such as a Philly “cheeze” steak sandwich made with seitan, or “chick’un” fettucine alfredo prepared with cashew sauce, are better-for-you alternatives to the originals.

Maro’s Bistro, Oakville

For ethnic inspired foods, head to Maro’s Bistro or Coriander Green, where fine dining meets an appetite for veggie-packed plates. At Maro’s, Middle Eastern recipes result in flavourful, veg-friendly meals brimming with colour and spice. Coriander Green is where chef Harminder brings his much-loved, made-from-scratch Indian dishes to hungry diners. Vegetarian specialties, from curried potatoes and cauliflower in aloo gobi to spiced, stir-fried mushroom do piaja, offer satisfying ways to sample the flavours that make Harminder a local culinary star.

Rayhoon Persian Eatery, Burlington

At Rayhoon Persian Eatery in Burlington’s Village Square, a comprehensive menu includes tempting options for those avoiding animal-based ingredients. Among the offerings are vegan lentil and walnut stew peppered with raisins and dates, and Persian poached pears are perennial favourites.

Mythos Greek Cuisine Wine Bar

Minutes away, Mythos Greek Cuisine deserves a mention for authentic Greek and Cypriot dishes paired with carefully selected wines. Indulge in vegetarian-approved staples like Saganaki opa, pan-fried cheese flambéed in ouzo, or delicate spanakopita parcels, served alongside rice pilaf and lemon potatoes.   

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe, Burlington

And, if you don’t think you can have your vegan cake and eat it too, guess again! At   Kelly’s Bake Shoppe in downtown Burlington, delicate pillows of vegan buttercream adorn an assortment of plant-based cupcakes. If you are in downtown Oakville head to Sugar Suite for a delicious assortment of gluten-free and vegan treats. For sweets of another sort, La Dolce Vita near Oakville’s downtown, has a selection of vegan gelatos that can’t be beaten.

Sugar Suite, Oakville

Whether you’re a self-professed carnivore curious to try something new, or a lifelong vegetable devotee, you’ll find numerous restaurants in Oakville and Burlington serving up delectable, meat-free fare. Try one or try them all; you’ll leave sated, pleasantly surprised and we promise, you won’t miss a thing.

by Christine Peddie

Local Links

Community Restaurant
343 Kerr St, Oakville
communityresto.com

Dar Nabati
333 Lakeshore Rd E B, Oakville
@DarNabatiOakville

Stoney’s Bread Company
325 Kerr St, Oakville
Stoneysbreadcompany.com

Rayhoon Persian Eatery
420 Pearl St, Burlington
Rayhooneatery.com

Boon Burger Café
497 Dundas St W unit 1, Oakville
399 Elizabeth St, Burlington
Boonburger.ca

Lettuce Love Café
326 Kerr St, Oakville
399 John St, Burlington
Lettucelovecafe.com

Sugar Suite
156 Lakeshore Rd E, Oakville
Sugarsuitecakes.com

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe
401 Brant St, Burlington
Kellysxo.com

La Dolce Vita
22 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville
Ladolcevitaoakville.com

Mythos Greek Cuisine
3500 Fairview St, Burlington
Mythoscuisine.com

Maro’s Bistro
135 Kerr St, Oakville
Marosbistro.com

Coriander Green
342 Church St, Oakville
Coriandergreen.com

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