Kitchen Party: Tim VandeLaar | Ontario Culinary
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Meet Tim VandeLaar of Whirlpool Restaurant

Everyone knows that the best parties always end in the kitchen. With our series Kitchen Party, we’re sitting down with Feast On Chefs to get to know them, and the local foods that inspire them, a little better.


Tim VandeLaar

Whirlpool Restaurant

Niagara Falls

Check out their Feast On Profile here! 

What’s your favourite seasonal ingredient? 

That’s impossible to answer since I live in Niagara-on-the-Lake surrounded by vineyards, orchards and farms. Although nothing can really beat the flavor of a fresh picked Niagara peach.

What’s your drink of choice?  

A cold black lager from local brewing company Silversmith in Virgil. 

Most underrated ingredient?  

Salt is definitely underrated. It’s an afterthought. Automatically added, but without this wonder, flavours would never reach their potential.

What is your favourite restaurant?

The Restaurant at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in St Davids. Amazing farm-to-table seasonal menus.

Off-duty, what are you most likely to be cooking at home? 

Who knows? Slow roasted short ribs, homemade burgers, pretty much whatever catches my eye at the time.

What’s the best part of working with Ontario food and drink? 

Unlimited possibilities and endless pairings!

Fill in the blank: “If I entered a competitive eating contest, I’d definitely win if the item was ____”  

My wifes amazing German crepes.

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