Summer sunshine is just around the corner, and our taste buds are on high alert ready to indulge in the fresh seasonal flavours of Ontario that will be making their way onto our plates very soon!
Explore 8 Feast On® Experiences that celebrate local flavours and seasonal taste adventures across Ontario
From farm-fresh feasts to urban eats, discover local Ontario flavours this summer through 8 unforgettable taste experiences with these Feast On® certified restaurants and businesses. Let’s dive in!
What is Feast On®?
Feast On® is an initiative managed by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, aimed at boosting the appreciation for Ontario-grown food and drink. It’s all about making it simple for both travelers and locals to find spots that celebrate our local bounty. Restaurants and businesses can get Feast On® certified, showcasing their commitment to local sourcing. This program not only connects chefs and farmers to strengthen our food systems but also creates a lively community where food lovers can unite.
The County Picnic
More than just sandy shore and breathtaking bays, Andrea and Edu, the dynamic duo behind The County Picnic, know that the true essence of Prince Edward County lies within its food scene- and we’re totally on board!
Combining local food and wine and craft beverage experiences with nature, The County Picnic Tours offer a unique way for foodies to discover fresh summertime flavours across Prince Edward County.
Whether your journey starts on a guided County Food Tour, picking blueberries, meeting honey producers, and sampling local cheeses, the adventure is just beginning. It’s a vibrant exploration that introduces you to the heart and soul of our local culinary landscape.
Or, if you decide to opt for a VIPicnic Experience with friends, you’re in for a treat. Imagine indulging in a locally sourced menu featuring homemade lavender lemonade and gelato, all while lounging at a local Lavender Farm. With County Picnic Tours, every moment is a delicious celebration of local flavors and unforgettable memories.
Get ready to taste the County like never before—don’t forget to book your experiences!
Down Home by Sumac + Salt
Where: 135299 9th Line, Markdale ON. (View Map)
Nestled in the rolling countryside of Grey County, Down Home by Sumac + Salt isn’t your average farm-to-table restaurant—it’s a bustling hub of local collaboration and adventurous dining experiences.
With a playful wink and a nod to their roots, founders Hannah and Joel invite you to dive into an evening at the farm, where you’ll feast on a hyper-local tasting menu paired with Ontario wines. Each menu is curated to showcase the freshest flavours of the season while also telling the delicious and unique food stories of Grey County’s farmers, and producers.
Summertime at the farm is particularly magical! It’s the perfect time to soak up those rays while surrounded by nature’s finest sitting at the garden bar dining alfresco. Enjoy seasonally curated and unique dishes like their braised pork belly & crispy head croquette with swiss chard, pickled crab apple, spruce tip mustard and cider lees jus to name just one of the many delicious dishes that have been on menus past.
Ready for a flavour-filled journey? Make a reservation!
Esha Eats
Through the universal language of food, our next Feast On® business combines cultural celebration and traditions with culinary artistry to create vibrant dining experiences that connect to Indigenous heritage through each dish.
Specializing in pre-contact Indigenous foods with influences from North Africa and the Mediterranean, Esha’s Eats focuses on the importance of Indigenous foods, history and culture.
The brains (and taste buds) behind this delicious operation, is Chef Aicha Smith-Belghaba from Six Nations, a culinary wizard with roots reaching back to the Mohawk Wolf Clan and Algerian heritage.
You can catch Aicha preparing menus for culinary events or book her catering services to create a personalized menu sourced from local, seasonal ingredients that’ll have your taste buds dancing with joy!
Keep an eye out for Aicha on social media for new pop up culinary experiences and events.
Maison Maitland
Where: 258 County Rd 2, Maitland, ON ( View Map)
Inspired by French countryside living, Maison Maitland is the ultimate summer retreat for foodies.
Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the 5 acre property features a beautiful 1828 Georgian stone manor, where you’ll be fully immersed in a variety of culinary experiences. They offer hands-on cooking classes or you can opt to stay a little longer relaxing in a luxurious villa to continue your travels exploring the 1000 Island Brockville region.
Best experienced in pairs of two, grab your favourite cooking companion and enjoy a cooking experience that is designed to be both intimate and interactive. The recipes you’ll learn focus on seasonal local cooking that will leave you with a full belly and more confident kitchen prowess!
We recommend signing up for Maison Maitland’s themed dinner cooking classes. They are an excellent way to explore new international flavours like Asian Dim Sum & Dumplings or to fine tune your skills cooking classic french recipes from Julia Child.
Find all the ways you can savour the flavours of Maison Maitland this summer- explore unique culinary experiences and luxurious villas to extend your stay book here!
Red Hen Artisanale
Where: 384265, Concession Rd 4, Priceville, ON (View Map)
Just two hours away north from Toronto, experience the fresh tastes of summer in Grey County with Red Hen Artisanale! Led by Lauren Hambleton, Red Hen Artisanale offers unique hands-on baking workshops exploring all things sourdough- yum!
Perfect for bakers of all skill levels and interests, each workshop is designed to teach you new skills and give you a new found confidence in the kitchen!
Wondering which workshop to try first?
You can’t go wrong starting with the basics taking part in their entry level workshop “The Sourdough Experience.” But the workshop we’re most excited to try this summer includes their Pizza Making 101experience. In this workshop you’ll learn the art of making delicious homemade pizza, picking up tips and tricks to create really great pizza at home.
Ready to knead your way to new taste adventures? Try a workshop session!
OWL Rafting
Where: 40 Owl Ln, Foresters Falls, ON (View Map)
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Blending the thrill of white water rafting and other outdoor adventures with culinary delights, our next Feast On® business combines the best of both worlds into one unforgettable summer experience!
Just ninety minutes away from the hustle and bustle of our Nation’s Capital, OWL Rafting welcomes adventurers of all skill levels to experience the rush of navigating the famous Rocher Fendu rapids before indulging in a mouthwatering BBQ feast for a golden hour dinner aboard the Pontoon Boat.
Owls’s Adventure Whitewater Rafting is a great addition for a day trip, but for extended stays the lakeside resort nestled on 25 acres, serves as the perfect basecamp for all your outdoor adventures including kayaking and paddleboarding and disk golf.
The cozy accommodations, including rustic cabins and waterfront cabanas, are a perfect complement to all the homemade culinary creations you’ll be indulging while there.
Gear up, and grab your appetite, find your next summer adventure with Owl Rafting!
Taste of Farm Life
Where: Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life, 906200 Township Rd 12, Bright ON (View Map)
Located in the heart of Oxford County, and known for their award-winning goat milk ice creams, Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life offers exciting experiences opening their farm gates to lift the lid on what connecting with the land and with your food is all about!
Their signature experience “A Taste of Farm Life” is not one to be missed and is perfect for a summer adventure with friends or an outing with the family.
Leading you through the farm tour is Cheryl, a third generation farmer and the creative tastebuds behind Udderly Ridiculous. Here, you’ll dive headfirst into the sights, sounds, and yes, even the smells, of farm life, in an unfiltered, no-holds-barred experience.
She’ll walk you through every aspect of food production and farm living, giving you lots of time to meet all the animals like their energetic miniature goats, chickens, and alpacas and sample tasty treats along the way. Spoiler alert can you guess? It involves ice cream.
Get a taste of the farm life and try fun farm experiences!
Unbarked
As summer rolls around, it’s time to unleash your creativity with Unbarked Workshop.
Craft your own live edge charcuterie board at workshops hosted by craft breweries, wineries, or other public venues across Ontario. As you work away on your board indulge in local food and drinks, immersing yourself in the art of woodworking.
At the end, you’ll take home a stunning walnut charcuterie board to cherish for years to come. But it’s not just about the board—it’s about the memories you’ll create and the flavours you’ll serve.
Whether you attend one of their public workshops or opt for a private event, these hands-on sessions promise to be as educational as they are delicious.
Dust off your wood working skills- find the next Unbarked workshop.
Cheers to your #FeastOn® Summer Taste Adventures! Happy Exploring!
Your summer travel plans just got a whole lot tastier and local! We can’t wait for you to discover and celebrate all of Ontario’s best flavours of summer and hope you enjoy exploring these 8 #FeastOn® experiences!
