Local food producers and restaurants are showing off for some big media members.
Sixteen companies in Grey, Bruce and Simcoe Counties were in Toronto on March 24th at an invite only event called “Sip N Savour.”
Robin Pradhan, owner and chef at the Rocky Raccoon Cafe in Owen Sound, was one of the businesses featured and he says it was a great opportunity to get exposure in different food, lifestyle and travel media.
Pradhan is hoping the critics will talk them up and draw more tourists to the region just to eat.
He believes the three counties have much more to offer than any other tourist destination.
Pradhan says many people are surprised at the unique flavours and dishes that can be served up, and he attributes that to the fact that many local food producers put their heart and soul into their work.
He says he tries to use as much local food as possible, and at the media event in Toronto, he used locally produced bison meat for his dish to showcase what the region has to offer.
But Pradhan adds it’s important to remember that their real customers are the locals, and that it’s by their word of mouth that reputations spread.
So he says he doesn’t trump up his service when food critics or out-of-towners come to dine.
He wants local residents to have the same quality of service and food.
Other businesses featured at the Sip N Savour event included:
Haven on the Bay (Bruce Peninsula)
Delicious Dishes (Catering) (Wiarton, ON)
Mildmay Cheese Haus
Hive n hoe (Lazy J Ranch)
Carrick Wines and Ciders
Rocky Racoon (Owen Sound) – Confirmed
Stoneyfield Elk Farm (Meaford)
Apple Pie Trail
Kemble Mountain Maple Products
Coffin Ridge Vineyard& Winery
Meredith’s Ginger Syrup (Meaford)
Neustadt Springs Brewery (Neustadt)
Era 67
The North – Chef/Owner – Marco Ormonde
Flying Monkeys Brewery
Creemore Springs Brewery
