Downtown Culinary Tour adds new stops
The city’s only downtown culinary tour returns in June after a sold-out season last year.
The 2018 Farm to Table Food Peterborough Downtown Culinary Tour starts June 20, running every Wednesday afternoon until Sept. 19.
Guided by Farm to Table owner Donald Fraser, the tour stops at six downtown restaurants that feature fresh, locally sourced and seasonal food.
The idea is to showcase local restaurants and the downtown while educating attendees on the importance of local food and how to source and prepare it.
Fraser also speaks about the importance of having a healthy downtown core.
The weekly tour leaves from the Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market at 1 p.m. and wraps up at about 4 p.m.
There are 25 downtown businesses on board this year, including some new additions, such as Tiny Greens, La Mesita and The Publican House Restaurant.
“We’ve really prioritized chefs who are using local and seasonal ingredients so we can show how food can go directly from farm to table, supporting both local agriculture and local downtown businesses,” Fraser said.
During the tour, foodies get a sample of the chef or owner’s daily creation, which can be paired with wine or beer.
At Brio Gusto, for example, owner Lindsey Dupuis buys her produce at the Wednesday market and then pairs the dish with a suitable wine.
“In that case, (participants) learn a lot about culinary basics and how flavours come together,” Fraser said.
Groups are capped at a dozen people and tours sell out fast.
Last year, the entire season sold out in one day.
Tickets are $35 per person and go on sale June 1 at 9 a.m. Reserve at www.ptbolocalfoods.ca
When Fraser started the tour eight years ago – on a dare – he expected it to be a tourist draw.
But that’s not how things turned out.
“It’s astoundingly been Peterborough being introduced to downtown Peterborough.”
With a mix of different restaurants and businesses each week, Fraser said he sees a lot of residents returning for a second or third tour.
And that’s a huge success for him. Whether they come back for another tour, or head downtown to dine on their own – the result is the same.
“The main thing is, we’ve introduced people to downtown and they’re coming back.”
Farm to Table also offers workshops throughout the year, focused on how to source local food, shopping in season and throughout the season, when to buy and preserving.
NOTE: For more information on workshops, email Donald Fraser at foodtours@ptbolocalfoods.ca or call 705-977-0604