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It’s Back – A Taste of Oakville returns to Downtown Oakville and Bronte Village! Twenty Eight Participating restaurants in Oakville offer unique prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus at specific price points.

Lunch menus priced at $12, $17, $22, and up.

Dinner menus priced at $20, $30, $40, and up. 

This culinary event is on in Downtown Oakville & Bronte Village from

January 23 – February 6, 2019

To preview Menus and find out more information visit:  atasteofoakville.com

Visit atasteofoakville.com for menus & more info

ย 

Participating Restaurants

Tis the season of mulled wine, eggnog, and apple cider. Theyโ€™re traditional. With these holiday beverages, you know exactly what to expect. But with the recent explosion of small, local brewers, thereโ€™s a new holiday drink in town. Itโ€™s crisp, itโ€™s bubbly, and itโ€™s only around for a short-time. Weโ€™re talking about hand-crafted, special edition, holiday brews. During the holidays, most breweries release their most coveted and rare beer. For avid beer drinkers, the release is highly anticipated. From high alcohol contents to unique seasonal spice blends, holiday releases are far from ordinary โ€“ the beer to bring the cheer during the holidays.

Holiday Beer

CAMERONโ€™S Brewing

CAMERONโ€™S has a little something for everyone this holiday season. Their First Light Session Lager, now available at the LCBO is bright, crisp, and clean as the morning dawn. First Light is patiently aged and cold cellared for a perfect balance and a satisfyingly refreshing finish. Look for a light floral character, a subtle malt profile, and a delicate smooth taste all in this session light lager.

They will also be releasing a couple of small batch series available through draught only. Hazy with a Chance of Hops (4.7%) is a whirlwind of smells. Black currant, mixed with fresh peaches and subtle undertones of mint and earth fill the nose. The flavour profile is dank grass and a light undertone of sweet stone fruit.

Their Black Forest Dark Lager (4.5%) is velvety smooth with nuances of light toasted chocolatey notes and hints of bread crust. Lastly, their Belgian Virtue โ€“ Mixed Fermentation Foeder Aged (7.6%) brings subtle notes of clove and coriander, along with black-currant, red berries, and stone fruit. The front-end taste is a subtle Belgian flavour with the end palate finished with a light lactic touch.

Explore the depths of taste with CAMERONโ€™S.

1165 Invicta Drive, Oakville
Cameronsbrewing.com

Holiday Beer

Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

Nickel Brook is brewing their annual seasonal favourites just in time for the holidays. As of the first week of November their Kentucky Bastard and Cuvee are available through the LCBO and at their Bottle Shop located at 864 Drury Lane in Burlington. The Kentucky Bastard is an imperial stout aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels while their Cuvee is a spiced ale aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels with wild yeast.

Their Winey Bastard and Cafรฉ Del Bastardo will be released at the beginning of December through the LCBO and their Bottle Shop. The Winey Bastard is an imperial stout aged in Ontario pinot noir barrels, while their Cafรฉ Del Bastardo is the same brew as the Kentucky Bastard with the addition of 6 pounds of locally-roasted Detour coffee.

These unique flavours are a must try!

864 Drury Lane, Burlington
Nickelbrook.com ย 

Holiday Beer

All or Nothing Brewhouse

All or Nothing Brewhouse, formally Trafalgar Brewery, will not be brewing a holiday beer this year due to an upcoming announcement. But have no fear โ€“ theyโ€™re still brewing up something special.

Beer fans can expect an All or Nothing Celebration Lager in January/February of 2019. It will be a light, sweet, and refreshing lager produced to help All or Nothing celebrate a key milestone of making it to their 5th year brewing anniversary. The initial establishment launched on January 13th, 2014 and All or Nothing Brewhouse will be announcing a very exciting project in early 2019, that will lead them into the next 10-15 years of brewing business. The celebration lager will be a nice golden pale yellow with 5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

We canโ€™t wait to see whatโ€™s coming for All or Nothing.

1156 Speers Road, Oakville
Allornothing.beer

by Anneliese Lawton

 

…

In 10 words or less, whatโ€™s your restaurant all about?

Fresh, local, unique, delicious, experimental French Crรชperie bistro.

Where do you source your ingredients?

We are very proud to be officially certified local by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, which is not easily achieved but we have made it our priority to source as much of our produce and ingredients from local suppliers, including 100km foods (an Ontario only distributer), Boyle Bros Greens and Creekside Winery.ย 

What do you love about cooking?

Cooking is a strong passion of ours, and a means to just relax and be creative. A guestโ€™s expression of pleasure when they are enjoying something that you have put a lot of love into creating for them is incredibly gratifying.

Where do you get inspiration for your recipes?

Some of our recipes are family secrets passed down from previous generations. Others are inspired by the seasons, and what nature has available to us. We focus on a balance between traditional French cuisine and unique, experimental flavours.

Whatโ€™s your favourite dish on the menu right now?

There are lots of great choices although if we had to pick our favourite of the moment, it would be Crรชpe La Poule.

Seasoned chicken breast, fresh arugula, creamy avocado & aged cheddar finished with a herb
& shallot Aioli.

The evolution of the coffee industry has been one of steady growth since the 1960โ€™s when brands like Sanka, Folgers and Maxwell House became a recognized household names. The first wave brought increased popularity. The second wave introduced us to the readily available big-name cup of coffee, such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons.

Todayโ€™s third wave coffee culture is flying high with an ethical and progressive movement towards better control over the process of sourcing, testing, roasting, and brewing. Untraceable coffee is no longer acceptable practice and mass-produced over-roasted beans are being cast aside in favour of high-quality, small batch specialty coffee.ย 

With a much-needed resurgence of quality over quantity, coffee enthusiasts can now enjoy individually crafted brews, made fresh to order. Artisanal coffee roasters are passionate, and as with any other artistry, they believe in the delicate quality of their product, and hope the true flavour of their coffee beans can be fully experienced.

Our local roasters are working to provide consumers with some truly delectable choices in coffee and cuisine.

Detour

Detour Coffee

2234 Harold Road, #2, Burlingtonย  |ย ย Cafรฉ at 41 King Street West, Dundas

905.331.7800ย  |ย  detourcoffee.com

Detour Coffee Roasters believe in reducing their environmental footprint while simultaneously creating an enhanced community experience. They view the customer as an integral part of the creation chain, and readily admit to obsessing over the art of getting their roasting perfected, โ€œto the point of mild insanity.โ€

They recently travelled to Rwanda to enable social changes by supporting procurement from women-owned coffee farms. Detour is equally as serious about their Loring Kestrel roaster, the masterpiece of the operation, and clearly the Ferrari of the roasting world. Itโ€™s self-contained and smokeless, reducing emissions by 80% compared to traditional machines. Their seasonal coffees are also complemented by a full-scale bakery and restaurant, Dear Grain, serving slow ferment artisan breads, jams, and pastries by Master Preserver Camilla Wynn.

The Detour Cafรฉ in Dundas also serves a gluten-free brownie bar adorned with crunchy cocoa. Resistance is futile.

Firebat

Firebat Coffee

407 Speers Road Back #7, Oakville

289.400.9551ย  |ย ย firebatcoffee.com

Firebat Coffee is owned by husband and wife team Gustavo and Leena. They describe their coffee as a โ€œunique transfer of energy and flavour from source to cupโ€, made possible through meticulous micro farming, clean production methods, and a focus on fostering respect for the environment.

In Mayan mythology, the bat, or Sotz, was a guardian figure of protection, spreading seeds and furthering growth.ย  Firebat similarly strives to guard the quality of their coffee forests. Gustavo and Leena’s dedication and fiery passion for honest craftsmanship culminates in their impressive flavor-based portfolio of coffee that originates solely from El Salvador.ย  Working with producers to ensure direct trade and fair prices, Firebat always pays farmers far above commercial pricesย for their delicate shade-grown Arabica varietals. They stand by three main principles: flavour,ย transparency,ย and sustainability. Firebatโ€™s slow-roastingย techniques extract subtle notes from their beans, and successfully deliver coffees rich in both history andย flavour. Buy beans directly from their roastery on Speers road in Oakville.

Brothers Coffee Roasters

2172 Wycroft Road, #6, Oakville |ย  298 Kerr Street, Oakville

289.837.1535ย  |ย  @brotherscoffeeroasters

Shaun Waitzer opened Kerr St. Cafรฉ with his partner Alex Flye in 2010 which was then followed by Brothers Roasters in 2014. The โ€œsmall batches, good vibesโ€ mantra has been a lucky one for them; business has blossomed into a popular full-serviceย event company where quality coffee, cleanย eating,ย and environmentally sustainable practices are a way of life.

Shaun furthered his roasting knowledge at Vermontโ€™s Coffee Labย and is currently planning trips ofย origin to increase direct trade partnerships with farmers. ย 

Brothers recently switched to 100% biodegradable take-out cups and compostable packaging.ย  You can easily find information online about their selection of specialty coffees from Brazil,ย Ethiopia,ย and Costa Rica, with the added bonus of reading uniquely diverse information about altitudes,ย varieties,ย and specific producers. Word has it that theyย serveย aย delicious medium dark roast espresso, made from a complex four-origin blend, and tasty single-originย coffees that are rotated regularly. Stop by Kerr Street Cafe and try one for yourself!

Cloud 9 Coffee

81 Florence Dr, Oakville

905.510.0509ย ย  |ย  cloud9coffeeroaster.ca

Located in Kerr Village, Cloud 9 Coffee Roastery was born from the passion Lynn Roberts held for drinking coffee made from the freshest beans possible. Beginning as a hobby, she began roasting green beans at home and experimenting with both time and temperature, as well as different varieties. That hobby soon turned into passion, as she discovered the amazing flavours that could be obtained by roasting the same bean to a light, medium, medium-dark and dark level. She opened Cloud 9 Coffee Roastery in March of 2013, and encourages people to drop by on Saturdays or Sundays to taste the various beans she has sourced, and find their personal preference.

Vereda Central

Vereda Central

310 Kerr Street, Oakville

905 842 0887ย  |ย  veredacentral.com

Vereda Central’s mandate it to find the best possible coffee beans from a variety of Colombian veredas, or small villages. Their coffee is personally sourced, and all processes of milling, roasting, and packing are done themselves.

Their attention to detail is evident in the close relationships they build with their farmers. Through honest connections with growers, complete traceability, and a focus on direct trade, they work to improve crops with training and feedback to achieve the best quality harvests.

Vereda believes in better control over their hand-picked beans, following the standards outlined by The Specialty Coffee Association of America. They use smaller roasters for their 5 kg batches, compared to some of the bigger 60 kg machines that roast much larger amounts. The owners Juan and Laura Sarmiento believe large batches can often result in defects.

Veredaโ€™s coffee is 100% natural with no additives.ย  Juan understands the importance of indulging individual tastes, as each customer is unique, and he experiments with brewing techniques to find just the right blend for his clients. Vereda is available online, in coffee shops, and wholesale in restaurants and bakeries. Visit their cafe on Kerr Street in Oakville.

by Adrienne Roman

The first Thanksgiving began as a celebration of the harvest and seasonal bounty that is available during the autumnal season. From root vegetables, preserved summer berries, hearty greens and meats โ€“ so much can be harvested right in your own backyard.

Though, of course, times have changed since the first Thanksgiving celebrations, there are still many ways to enjoy locally grown foods during fall, from roast turkey and stuffing, to cranberry sauce, root vegetables, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie

For those in the Burlington area, there are many locations to pick up a locally-sourced meal.

Denningerโ€™s Foods of the World can be found in both Burlington and Oakville, and can offer some delicious options for your meats, produce, and sides. With their own in-store butcher counter, they are able to assist you with anything you are looking for and with over 60 years in service, they know what theyโ€™re doing!ย  If youโ€™re looking for something a little bit different for your main, their signature sausages are the way to go. They also offer a produce section which is ideal for seasonal root vegetables.

Offering fresh turkeys and ham orders during the Thanksgiving season, Ernieโ€™s Meat Market is a favourite in Burlington due to their extensive knowledge and friendly customer service team. Carrying a wide selection of beef, pork, and chicken as well โ€“ the options for your ย 
Thanksgiving dinner are quite vast at this local butchery. Ernieโ€™s is also known for their famous meat pies, which are made by hand, in-store, and baked daily. A perfect addition to your family Thanksgiving!

Another option for your main is Farmway Foods, who provide home delivery for high-quality, naturally raised Ontario meats. Usually specializing in beef, chicken, pork, and fish, they add turkey to their well-rounded selection in the fall. Farmway Foods takes the stress out of the Thanksgiving meal so you can focus on having fun with your family and friends.

The Burlington Mall Farmerโ€™s Market is open right until the end of October, providing a wonderful opportunity to purchase locally-grown produce, baked goods, meats, cheese, and much more! From root vegetable favourites like sweet potatoes, beets, and traditional potatoes โ€“ the Burlington Mall Farmerโ€™s Market is an easy way to get most of your Thanksgiving shopping done in one place.ย 

For those in the Oakville area, the options for purchasing local meats and produce are extensive.

Florence Meats has been offering top-notch quality and service to the Oakville community for over 35 years. Though they have the knowledge and know-how of the big guys, they keep their butcher shop small โ€“ focusing on the customer. Place your order for their local and fresh grain-fed turkey for this special occasion, or if you want to put an interesting spin on your Thanksgiving meal, why not try a Cornish Hen or Pheasant

If ham is more your thing, Just an Olde Fashion Butchery specializes in just that, serving up meats and seafoods in the Oakville area since 1986. Their spiral-cut glazed ham has been a favourite among Oakville families since their opening date. Looking for something in particular? Their knowledgeable staff is sure to help you find something amazing!ย 

The one-stop-shop for produce and sides, the Dorval Crossing Farm Market has been providing fresh, local produce to the community for over 35 years.ย  Located on the corner of Dorval and North Service, the market runs right until November 25th and offers those who live in Oakville an opportunity to purchase straight from the farmers
and growers.ย 

These are just some of the many options we have available to support local businesses and local growers.ย  Happy Thanksgiving!

by Heather Peter

Local Thanksgiving

Apples are so versatile! You can enjoy them as crunchy cruditรฉs, or cover them in caramel, or lovingly load them into pies and other baked goods. Even if we donโ€™t always eat them prepared in the healthiest fashion, they always taste so good. With the number of different varieties grown โ€“ and available โ€“ right here in southern Ontario, itโ€™s easy to pick some up right from the orchard and bring them home to enjoy however you wish. In fact, going apple-picking makes for a picturesque and healthy outing the whole family can enjoy.

Finding Forbidden Fruit

Apples are indeed an ancient fruit.ย  Theyโ€™ve been growing since prehistoric times and have been cultivated for more than 3,000 years.ย  The ancient Greeks, Etruscans, Romans and Egyptians were some of the early cultivators โ€“ likely knowing that an apple a day was good for something.

Did you know that during the California Gold Rush apples were a hot commodity? They sometimes fetched more than $100 a bushel because they were versatile, durable and easily dried and preserved.

Homeย Grown

Here in Ontario, weโ€™re lucky to have close to 20 different homegrown varieties to choose from.ย  Apples are grown on nearly 16,000 acres of precious land in major apple producing areas ranging from the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.ย  Our Great Lakes are prime growing areas because they help moderate the temperature, so itโ€™s true that โ€œGood Things Grow in Ontarioโ€.ย  The top five types grown here are Empire, Gala, McIntosh, Northern Spy, and Red Delicious.

Donโ€™t forget that, in addition to including them in apple strudel, apple muffins, or apple crisp, they are delicious in salads and sandwiches too (especially grilled cheese). Two classic desserts are homemade apple pie (sometimes accompanied by a slice of old cheddar cheese), and apple pudding – served with warm brown sugar sauce โ€“ definitely the easiest to make of the two, and equally as tasty.ย  This fall, a Sunday dinner complete with an apple-inspired finale is definitely
in order.

Which of these globes of goodness are great for baking, and when are they available?ย Find out below:

Empire Applesย 
(available October to July)
are slightly tart, juicy, firm and crisp.ย  Theyโ€™re perfect for snacks and making applesauce.

 

Gala Applesย 
(available early September to February)
are best eaten fresh, perhaps even topped with peanut butter or dipped in caramel.

 

McIntosh Applesย 
(available mid September to May) have a white, juicy flesh, are mildly tart but sweeten as they ripen.ย  Use them in sauces, pies or eating fresh after a day of apple picking.

 

Northern Spy Applesย 
(available October to May)
are large, crisp and firm.ย  Theyโ€™re perfect for pies and old-fashioned baked apples just like Grandma used to make.

 

Red Delicious Applesย 
(available October to July)
are firm, sweet and juicy.ย  Perfect for salads.ย  Theyโ€™re not recommended for cooking.

 

Where to buy and pick your own apples

Andrews Scenic Acres, Milton
andrewsscenicacres.com

Myers Family Orchard, Copetown
myersapples.com

Chudleighโ€™s Farm,ย Milton
chudleighs.ca

Stonehaven Farms,ย Milton
stonehavenfarms.com

Willis Family Fruit Farm, Milton
willisfarm.com

Hutchinson Farm, Burlington
hutchinsonfarm.ca

Frootogo Orchards, Waterdown
frootogo.ca

Springridge Farm, Milton
springridgefarm.com

 

by Becky Dumais

 

 

 

Meet The Chef, David Neinstein of Barque Smokehouse in Burlington. We sat down with him to ask him about the inspiration about Burlington’s new smokehouse.

Where did you learn to cook?

I started cooking at my fatherโ€™s knees, literally. Heโ€™s a lawyer with a lifelong passion for cooking that began in the Julia Childs/Craig Claiborne years when cooking became accessible, fun and frankly, cool. But he had a day job. From there I grew up entertaining friends and family from the kitchen, slowly taking over from my father. He taught me a lot, but most of all, to be a great host and to put my guests first.


 

Where do you source your ingredients?

All of our ingredients are sourced as locally as possible for freshness and, as our menu changes regularly, for seasonality. Our pork is collected from select farms in Quebec that create a specific cut of rib just for us. Our beef is from the finest ranches in Alberta and our chicken is delivered fresh three times weekly from an Ontario grower. Vegetables are seasonally purchased and we always buy from the closest farms possible.

What was the inspiration behind Barque?

My partner Jon and I were craving more upscale BBQ. We wanted a glass of wine and fresh vegetables with the classic meats. We love ribs and brisket and desired a balanced and more refined dining experience that was chef driven, never frozen and always fresh.


 

Why Burlington?

Burlington is a great city of diversity. Itโ€™s close to our Roncesvalles location, within reasonable driving distance of both Oakville and Hamilton and has the best reputation in the Golden Horseshoe for being business friendly and boasting a family-oriented community. Besides, we saw that there wasnโ€™t a lot of BBQ around.

Who do you look to for inspiration?

Outwardly, we rely on our travels, eating everywhere from the great BBQ shacks of the world to the Michelin-starred restaurants of Manhattan. Inwardly, we believe in giving people what theyโ€™d like and are constantly experimenting with ideas based on our guestsโ€™ suggestions and preferences.

Whatโ€™s your favourite dish on the menu right now?

I am eating our Cajun Smoked Dry Rubbed Wings the most lately. Our Chef Josh suggested the pairing and Iโ€™ve loved them ever since.

Visit Barque Smokehouse

4155 Fairview St, Burlington
barque.ca

Summer has begun, and with that comes the sweltering heat and humidity that can only be resolved with an icy cool treat. From classic cones to modern gelato desserts โ€“ the Halton area has it all! No matter if you fancy a single scoop bubble gum with rainbow sprinkles in a classic cone, or a Ferrero gelato in a waffle cup, if youโ€™re looking to treat yoโ€™ self, here are some delicious options that will curb those sweet cravings.   

 

Waffle bowl sundae? Yes please!

A post shared by Easterbrooks Hotdog Stand (@easterbrookshotdogs) on

Easterbrookโ€™s Ice Cream

694 Spring Gardens Rd,  Burlington

A family favourite for many years, Easterbrookโ€™s has been serving up hot dogs and fries, and scooping up ice cream for over 85 years. Mable Easterbrook opened the store as a tea house in 1926. In 1930 Easterbrookโ€™s began serving hotdogs and the family has been running it the same way for 4 generations. Located just near the Royal Botanical Gardens, Easterbrookโ€™s is a great stopover before or after one of those weekend hikes with the family. Their retro diner offers a rotating menu on the chalkboard of many different ice creams that they source from Central Smith ice cream in Peterborough. Prepare for a line-up, but itโ€™s worth it! Customer favourites include: Chocolate Peanut Butter, and traditional like Bubblegum and Cotton Candy.
easterbrooks.ca

Kellyโ€™s Bake Shoppe Vegan Ice Cream

401 Brant Street, Burlington

Gone are the days when vegans were only able to enjoy a salad for their meals, because Kellyโ€™s Bake Shoppe is here, heading the burgeoning vegan scene in the area. Owners Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie create mouth-watering baked goods and desserts that anyone could enjoy โ€“ even those under gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, butter-free, vegan and peanut-free diets. Customer favourites include their health-friendly ice cream tubs, soft serve ice creams and cookie sandwiches with ice cream.  Kellyโ€™s offers seasonal flavours of their vegan ice cream, like chocolate or charcoal. All of their ice creams are made in house by the Kellyโ€™s team.
kellysxo.com

The Sweetest Thing

282 Kerr St, Oakville

This iconic boutique bakery located on Kerr Street in Oakville offers scratch-made cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream treats and more! Stop by The Sweetest Thing for a refreshing softserve cone or one of their ice cream sammies!  
thesweetestthing.com

The Flavour Fox

103A-77 Bronte Road, Bronte

Specializing in hard ice cream, hand-crafted gelato, shakes, homemade cookies and gourmet hot chocolate โ€“ The Flavour Fox team took over an existing ice cream store and renovated it to become the new and improved ice cream spot in Bronte. On top of their original Kawartha Ice Cream available in cones or cups, The Flavour Fox offers 16 different milkshake flavours and Belgian waffles. Best of all, The Flavour Fox is located right at the Bronte Harbour  โ€“ so you can enjoy watching the boats go by while you lick on your cone!
theflavourfox.com

 

Strawberry season is here !๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ“

A post shared by LDV Gelato Cafe (@ladolcevita_22) on

La Dolce Vita

22 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville

Located just steps to the Oakville waterfront, La Dolce Vita offers up artisanal gelato flavours that they make in-house โ€“ featuring traditional flavours like pistachio or lemon, and modern favourites like bubble gum and passion fruit. On top of enjoying gelato the classic way, they also offer gelato desserts like gelato pops, gelato cannolis, gelato paninis and gelato cake!
ladolcevitaoakville.com

Piazza Bistro

94 George Street, Oakville

Not only does Piazza Bistro serve up amazing lunches, dinners, handmade pizzas and cappuccinos, they also offer an extensive gelato menu! Carrying 16 flavours per season, there are so many creamy options to choose from. Customer favourites include the Mango and the Chocolate Hazelnut.
piazzabistro.ca 

RCโ€™s Boardwalk Fries & Ice Cream

2013 Lakeshore Road, Burlington

As youโ€™re strolling the Burlington lakeshore, the neon lights of RCโ€™s Boardwalk will call to you โ€“ reeling you in like a fly to honey. And yes, similar to the metaphor, a sweet treat waits at the end. Offering 32 flavours of ice cream, along with milkshakes, flurries, sundaes, floats, funnel cakes and banana splits (plus savoury food), RCโ€™s is a retro restaurant through and through. From the pink walls to the checkerboard flooring and tin signage, RCโ€™s is the ideal place to get that classic cone and feel like youโ€™re living in a simpler time. If youโ€™re more about the modern options and looking for something super Instagram friendly, try their Frozen Yogurt twist cones!
@rcsboardwalk

I Love Gelato

1477 Lakeshore Road, Burlington

Aiming to bring back the memories of childhood in Italy, the family-owned I Heart Gelato creates authentic made-in-house gelatoโ€ฆwith everything from gluten-free to sugar free and vegan options. The only thing that could make their gelato even better? Their location! When you grab your cone or cup, walk right out the front door and stroll the Burlington Waterfront. Try their Ferrero or Pistachio, but get there early โ€“ because they may sell out!
@ILOVEGELATOBURLONT

by Heather Peter

Meetย Christine McLaughlin.ย Christineโ€™s mission at MollyCake is to make your day sweeter. We sat down and asked her a few questions about the baking business.

Where did you learn to cook?

I studied at the Bonnie Gordon School of Confectionary Arts, but Iโ€™m mostly self-taught through hours upon hours of experimentation.

What was the inspiration behind MollyCake?

My son wanted a Cookie Monster cake for his birthday. I decided to take on the challenge and loved it. Soon friends were asking me for cakes and the business grew from there.

MollyCake

Why Burlington?

Burlington is home. We love being on Brant Street with such a great mix of local businesses.

Where do you source your ingredients?

We buy local as much as possible, and almost everything is made from scratch with no artificial flavours. For example, when we make lemon curd, we buy a box of lemons and squeeze them ourselves – you can taste the difference!

Whatโ€™s your favourite dish on the menu?

I love the Canelle. Itโ€™s a cross between a Choux pastry and custard – crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. You need to try one!

Visit MollyCake

361 Brant St, Burlington ย  ย  | ย  ย  @mollycake ย  ย  |ย  ย  MollyCake.ca

MollyCake

MollyCake

MollyCake

Eating local and in season isnโ€™t as daunting a task as it seems when you live in the greenbelt and catch wind of some of the amazing local food programs we have in the area. From our independent grocers to our many farmerโ€™s markets and CSA Food Box programs, our farmers really can โ€“ and do โ€“ feed cities!ย 

In Halton, we are blessed with such wonderful farmersโ€™ markets, with fresh, local products that are just waiting to be eaten. But, if youโ€™re looking for even more opportunities to eat seasonally and conveniently, Food Box Programs can be a great option!ย 

So what is a food box program?

Farms or organizations around the area will set up a program to help their customers eat โ€˜in seasonโ€™, while also ensuring a regular source of income for the producers. It may be subscription-based, or a one off, but the box is ordered ahead of time. At a specified date, you will pick up (or receive a delivery of) a box of amazing, local fruit and vegetables. Usually the cost is a bit cheaper than traditional grocery stores, plus you know exactly where the produce is coming from and that you are supporting your local food-producing economy. ย 
You will also bring more vegetables and produce directly into your home โ€“ reducing the temptation to purchase processed foods at the grocery store. Plus everything provided in the box is right in peak season, which means high quality and delicious tasting food items.

Food Box Programs

Some of the local Food Box Programs include:

Plan B Organic Farms CSA Box

Plan B Organics is a 30-acre farm that has been around since 1997, growing vegetables, fruits, greens and herbs using Certified Organic farm management practices. Their food share boxes are available in two sizes (plus some smaller snack sizes) โ€“ either weekly or biweekly.ย  The produce inside the box changes each season with products like asparagus, radishes, beets, spring peas and baby salad greens available during this time of year.

A small share is $30 a week and contains about 10 items; a large share is $45 with about 12 โ€“ 14 items. They are available for pick up in over 30 locations around the GTA, or via home delivery for Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville for just $5. Melanie Golba and Irene Matys of Plan B Organics also add in some wonderful additions for subscribers, such as recipes using the produce inside the โ€œshareโ€™.

Juneโ€™s box will contain items such as: lettuce, spinach, salad mix, green garlic, kale, radishes, broccoli, asparagus, strawberries, green onions, garlic scapes, snap peas, and chives.

Food Box Prorgrams

Halton Fresh Food Box

The Halton Fresh Food box is open to all residents of the Halton region, but particularly those living on limited incomes, seniors and new Canadians. They are offered in three different sizes: $10, $15 and $20, with the Summer and Fall box full of 100% locally grown produce. During the Spring and Winter, the fruit and vegetables are locally grown where available โ€“ sourcing from local farms such as Andrews Scenic Acres, Oliveria Fruit Farm, Fisher Farms and more. Boxes in the summer can include everything from corn, zucchini, peppers, field tomatoes, plums, peaches and much more.

Ordering is very simple! Use their website: haltonfreshfoodbox.com to find the closest pick up location to you. Order your chosen box size, prepay and then on pick-up day, you are ready to go! Boxes are enjoyed on a one-off basis, rather than subscription based, so you can try it out and see how you like it. The Halton Fresh Food Box is open to anyone.

by Heather Peter

Local Links

Halton Fresh Food Box,ย Oakville
haltonfreshfoodbox.com

Plan B Organic Farms,ย Hamilton
planborganicfarms.ca

Food Box Programs