Cheers to a new season!

Fingers crossed that the socializing we enjoyed this summer will continue to pick up momentum as we head into fall. It still feels novel and exciting to get together again with friends and family, and I hope all our calendars are full every weekend—especially over Thanksgiving! If you’re looking for inspiration for your gatherings, this issue is full of ideas to make the most of every kind of occasion.

First, though, we would be remiss if we didn’t raise a toast to those who have weathered the storm and stayed the course through the pandemic. In Leaders of the Pack, on page 123, we shine a spotlight on the men and women who continue to set the trends in Ontario’s hospitality and beverage industry—each one of them worthy of your attention. And on page 57 we focus on Ontario winemakers and all that they are doing for the environment and their communities.

Autumn is tailor-made for savoury cocktails. Ranging from classic whisky cocktails (with some twists to freshen them up) on page 147 to a collection of deeply flavoured seasonal drinks with a spicy kick (page 88)—there are so many options you’ll be able to greet your guests with something new right up until Christmas. And if you’ve heard of Amaro, but aren’t exactly sure how to use it, Christine Sismondo breaks the whole subject down on page 135 (spoiler alert—it’s great both before or after Thanksgiving dinner).

Of course, autumn is also the season for fabulous local produce. Farmer’s markets are in their glory and we’ve designed a menu starting on page 47 that takes full advantage of what’s fresh right now. It’s a unique twist on the Thanksgiving feast—remember, we want to try new things—perfectly paired with all-local drinks. Speaking of local, don’t miss three Niagara chefs each sharing their own delicious version of roast chicken (page 79): what could be more perfect for your next Sunday dinner? And, in the spirit of back to school, we challenge you to master the art of cooking with wine on page 94. We’ve honed in on the techniques you need to know and what wines to cook with, then bundled that knowledge into delectable seasonal recipes to test your skills.

As we all settle back into the routines of fall and embrace the cooler days and cozy evenings, we hope this issue of Food & Drink is something you turn to again and again when making new memories with your family and friends.

Did you know?

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