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Good Food Fighters
Good Food Revolution (GFR) and the not-for-profit organisation that publishes it called Good Food Media rely on the support of sponsoring members called Good Food Fighters. Good Food Fighter membership is by invitation only. To learn more about becoming one of our certified Good Food Fighters click here.
Recently Joined
Kensington Brewing Company
The Kensington Brewing Company is located in the diverse and highly eclectic neighbourhood of Kensington Market – a rich, historic and festive community in the heart of Toronto. Our philosophy can be summed up in three words: Drink Good Beer. Good beer is made with all natural ingredients and time-honoured methods. It’s not adulterated with strange chemicals and preservatives. It’s not watered down and definitely isn’t bland. It tastes… good!
Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands (formerly Vincor Canada) is Canada’s largest producer and marketer of wines. The company’s land holdings in Canada’s largest wine growing regions, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, are dedicated essentially to the production of European Vitis Vinifera. The Constellation Brands portfolio includes many well known Canadian brands such as Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Estate Wines and Le Clos Jordanne.
Georgian Wine Online
Georgian Wine Online
Georgian Wine Online is an Ontario-based importing wine agency specializing in the wines of the Republic of Georgia. Georgian Wine Online’s portfolio consists of naturally made made reds, whites and amber wines, including certified organic and qvervi fermented labels.
Hotels and Restaurants
Allen’s On The Danforth
The glow of comfortable tradition warms Allen’s. Opened in 1987, the restaurant has achieved near-institutional status, as its bar, featuring 340 whiskies, over 100 VQA wines and 140 beers, and dining room are considered the very best of type. Customers travel from all over Canada, the U.S. and Europe to sample the unique offerings, but a solid core of local regulars maintains a consistent atmosphere of good cheer, conversation and welcome. The menu focuses on Ontario-farmed-and-grown produce, with an unrivalled presentation of naturally-raised or organic meats from area farmers. Breed, feed and age of every animal served is included on the menu. The wine cellar, with VQA selections from all regions of Ontario and British Columbia, serves as testament to Allen’s commitment to Local Fare.In fine weather, there is no better spot in which to dine al fresco than Allen’s backyard, where a dedicated chef cooks to order over charcoal a daily-changing menu of local specialities.
Barberian’s Steak House Tavern
Back in 1959 Harry Barberian saw a chance to showcase his love for a great steak in his own restaurant, sharing his dedication to quality food with the city of Toronto. As his clientele grew, so did his restaurant. Dancing with his steaks, regaling his customers with his stories and endless opinions, Harry became a neighborhood and then a citywide favorite. His larger then life personality brought in the diners as much as his food did. His family, staff and friends still work to keep Harry’s vision alive and his collections growing.
Caplansky’s Deli
Caplansky’s Deli serves up authentic Jewish soul food at breakfast, lunch and dinnerseven days a week. They are rightfully famous for their house-cured, hand-sliced smoked meat.
Crush Wine Bar
Having as recently as last year transformed this 1904 classic brick and beam building into a smart, comfortable and modern Canadian style restaurant, Crush Wine Bar has endeavored to combine extensive knowledge of food and wine with well priced menus and, approachable, professional staff. Particular attention has been paid to the wine list with something to suit every palate and pocket.
The Drake Hotel is a cultural, entertainment and hospitality landmark in Toronto. More than just a place to eat and sleep: we are a hotbed for culture.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel
The Fairmont Royal York opened in 1929 as the tallest building in the British Empire. Since then, the city of Toronto has grown up around this elegant Toronto landmark. The hotel’s past has been preserved through several restoration programs. The thoughtful and gradual transformation of the hotel’s meeting spaces, public areas, 1365 guestrooms, combined with its award winning culinary and environmental initiatives has kept Toronto’s Grand Dame of hotels at the forefront. The hotel’s rooftop garden, apiary and the lobby level EPIC restaurant all embody the hotel’s commitment to local, sustainable and seasonal.
George Restaurant
Executive Chef Lorenzo Loseto is one of Canada’s premier chefs. Loseto’s innovative “Toronto Cuisine” is devoted to making everything from scratch with the freshest seasonal ingredients obtained locally when possible. His modern approach to cooking, combined with his classic training, has allowed him to create a delightful and inspiring food experience building on Canadian products and Toronto’s broad émigré traditions. Loseto places an emphasis on seasonal, natural and sustainable food. He has created an a la carte tasting menu where guests are encouraged to order many courses to fully explore the bold flavours and textures of his cooking.
Gilead Café + Bistro / Jamie Kennedy Kitchens
Tucked away in Toronto’s historic Corktown you’ll find Chef Jamie Kennedy’s offerings of local, seasonal cuisine of unparalleled quality. Enjoy breakfast and lunch in our café, or stop in for some take-away coffee and pastries, or even tonight’s dinner. Catering is also available. By night, Gilead is transformed into a warm intimate dining room where Chef Kennedy creates his signature dishes that are best described as modern Canadian cuisine with French influence. Menus change with the seasons and all ingredients are sourced from local artisans. Our ever changing wine list shines with Ontario’s finest offerings. Jamie Kennedy Kitchens also includes Jamie Kennedy Event Catering, which incorporates Chef Kennedy’s philosophy into a wide range of catering services, offsite or at our premier venue at the Gardiner Museum.
Globe Bistro and Earth Restaurants
Globe Bistro and Earth Restaurants began back in 2006 with the philosophy of ”Think global. Eat global.” Starting with great seasonal ingredients from local producers, our chefs create simple dishes incorporating flavours from around the world. Our eclectic wine list also focuses on Ontario wines. These local partnerships allow us to create a truly terroir-driven Ontario dining experience. Our three locations are situated in some of Toronto’s great neighbourhoods: Riverdale, Rosedale and Bloor West Village.
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Mildred’s Temple Kitchen opened with a heart-felt philosophy. We’re here because we love food, people and the simple pleasures of life: our temple is the place where we practice our devotion. Here you’ll find seasonal fare, prepared with reverence for its source, and served with pleasure. Dedicated to providing Toronto with a gathering place that offers warmth, great service, and unique culinary memories. It’s a place for the times. We’re glad you discovered us.
Paese Ristorante
Paese [paˈeze] means “town or village” and for us this symbolizes neighbourhood. Over our neighbourhood cucina’s 20 years, we have stayed true to a handcrafted and house-made approach to a menu that’s Italian-inspired, with a distinctive and original made-in-Canada twist. Two Paeses now exist – both of which emphasize pairings: Wine to Food, Food to Place – thus each Paese offers its own atmosphere, menu, and experience. Moreover the multi-region wine list at each location is not only a wine lover’s dream but is reasonably priced for all to appreciate. Choose the location nearest to you and enjoy!
Pizza Libretto
Pizzeria Libretto is a lively Toronto neighbourhood restaurant offering the only Vera Pizza Napoletana certified experience in Canada. Libretto aims to be loyal to what real pizza is, invented in Naples using local natural ingredients, cooked in a wood fired oven at extremely high heat to achieve a charred, blistered crust. We use San Marzano tomatoes and Fiore di Latte Mozzarella, brought in fresh daily. Our dough is made with naturally leavened Italian Caputo dopio zero flour. Our pizza bakes in less than 90 seconds in our 900 degree wood burning oven, hand built for us by a 3rd generation pizza oven maker in Naples. Simple, Honest, and Natural.
Quince Bistro
Quince is a casual, neighbourhood bistro in the heart of mid-town Toronto, boasting an exciting new look by Commute Home. Owners Jennifer Gittins and Michael Van Winkel have been part of the Yonge & Eglington scene for over 15 years and Chef Peter Tompkins offers fresh, light, Mediterranean Bistro fare using seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Come for a bite… come for a drink… come and enjoy with friends.
Scaramouche
Scaramouche has played a vibrant part in Toronto for more than thirty years. Domestic and international reviews have been uniformly excellent but to sustain a restaurant over this span of time requires the loyal support of our guests – every day. Our guests have come to Scaramouche to celebrate their most special occasions and many have also come to view it as their second home. As a youthful 30-year old, our restaurant’s focus has remained unchanged: to provide our guests with an exemplary dining experience that encompasses the best of contemporary cuisine in a convivial setting.
Terroni
Terroni is a family operated restaurant of southern Italian heritage. Each of Terroni’s dishes is deeply rooted in Italian regional cooking. Using only fresh and quality ingredients, Terroni makes all of its pasta and breads fresh everyday.
L’Unità
Counting on over four years since opening their doors and serving the neighbourhood, L’Unità, still in its infancy continues to stay true to the dream that two young would-be restaurateurs had while serving tables together. A traditional Italian osteria & wine bar, where you can experience their handmade pastas, thin crust pizzas, grilled meats and fish and the best cannoli in town! As much as L’Unità is small and intimate, with a rustic farmhouse feel, its classic design leaves you with a warm, evocative feel in a timeless setting.
A restaurant rich in conviviality, flavour and passion, this celebrated restaurant offers a pure translation of soulful dining—the Italian way.
Festivals and Events
The Great Canadian Cheese Festival
The Great Canadian Cheese Festival is the only event in Canada to bring together cheesemakers from coast-to-coast so cheese lovers and foodies can meet to learn, talk, taste and buy the best in Canadian artisan and farmstead cheese—and sample fine wine, craft beer and a cornucopia of artisan foods. It’s held annually on the first weekend of June in Crystal Palace, in Picton, in the heart of Prince Edward County, Ontario’s fastest growing food-and-drink destination and home of famed Sandbanks beaches.
Retailers/Wholesalers
All The Best Fine Foods is a dynamic specialty food company in mid-town Toronto. All The Best’s retail gourmet food stores were established in 1984 in a century-old building on the edge of Rosedale and their 4,000 sq ft production kitchen is located ten minutes away in Leaside. In addition, they provide full-service catering and a gourmet gift service. A selection of All The Best’s products is available for wholesale.
The Cookbook Store
The Cookbook Store has been serving food enthusiasts since 1983. The shelves are stocked with books from around the world, catering to chefs as well as first time cooks. When in the store, you may encounter chefs, students and home cooks drooling over the books or chatting about the latest hot ingredient. With several thousand titles to choose from set aside time for a good browse.
Cumbrae’s
The Cumbrae’s tradition of farm-to-table quality started over a decade ago when third-generation butcher Stephen Alexander first brought Cumbrae Farms’ naturally raised meats to Toronto’s food connoisseurs. Their reputation for demanding perfection and their unequalled team of farm partners, butchers and service staff have created more than a store. Cumbrae’s is the ultimate experience for people who love food.
The Healthy Butcher
The Healthy Butcher is Toronto’s source for the best tasting and largest selection of Certified Organic and Locally-Raised meat, sustainable seafood, and gourmet prepared foods. Their mission is simple: “To ensure your food is produced the way nature intended.” The store offers a direct connection to the food source, dealing with over 75 farmers within 100 miles of Toronto for beef, lamb, pork, chicken, bison, elk, Cornish hen, quail, goose, and other premium meats, seasonal produce, and both fresh water and ocean fish. The Healthy Butcher’s free monthly newsletter called Live to Eat is followed around the world by more than 10,000 foodies, and in the last few years the business has won several prestigious awards for the work it has done in promoting organic and local food. Visit www.thehealthybutcher.com.
GoodEgg
A shop dedicated to those who like to eat.
Hooked Inc.
Welcome to a whole new world of thoughtfully selected seafood that is ethical, sustainable and fresh!
We are chefs first – professional cooks We have years of experience with food as cooks, chefs, restaurateurs, caterers, wine educators, and culinary teachers – and we love seafood!
Nella Cucina
For over 50 years Nella Cutlery has been happily supplying Ontario’s finest food establishments with knife sharpening services and restaurant equipment. But in 2004, it was decided that Nella Cucina would open its doors to better serve customers in Toronto’s busy downtown core as a retail and commercial storefront to our Mississauga warehouse operations. Located in the heart of the Annex, Nella Cucina is a thriving hub for restaurants and food suppliers, while also meeting the needs of an ever-growing population of aspiring home cooks looking to furnish their homes with great equipment. While we are a kitchen lover’s shopping paradise, there’s also a culinary school nestled in the second floor where entertaining classes are held to teach and hone the skills of the casual learner. Nella Cucina continually serves as a wonderful gathering place for chefs and food enthusiasts alike.
Olliffe: Purveyor of the Finest Meats
Working with partners at the farmgate level, Olliffe provides the best meats, lamb, poultry and game from across Ontario and around the world. Our commitment to working with the finest supplying partners ensures unequalled quality for your home, cottage or event. The Team: the gang at Olliffe are known as foodsters. With nearly 35 years of business. Olliffe attributes much of the success to the happy faces serving you behind the counters. From the keenly knowledgeable counter staff, the acclaimed winning chefs to the approachable butchers who love to chat with customers, the Olliffe gang has a mission to make your next dining experience the finest.
Breweries
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. is a small, independent, family-run and organic brewery located in rural Ontario. Awards include Family-run business of the year, Gold Canadian Brewing Awards, Gold – Mondial de la Biere (France) and Best Beer and Best Brewery in Ontario Golden Tap awards.
Spearhead Brewery
Spearhead Brewing Company is an environmentally conscious, locally minded Toronto craft brewery that makes unfiltered, naturally carbonated, non-pasteurized beer free from artificial flavours and ingredients.
Wineries:
13th Street Winery
“Produce wines in a style that we enjoy drinking, from grape varieties that consistently perform well in Niagara and charge a fair price.” This simple and honest company motto has guided us since our first vintage in 1998. The majority of our premium traditional method sparkling and table wines are produced from 40 acres of estate vineyards including 30+ year old Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Our talented winemaker Jean Pierre Colas espouses a philosophy that puts grape quality, natural winemaking methods and patience above all else.
Charles Baker Wines
Since 2005 Charles Baker, a senior marketing executive at ultra-boutique Stratus Vineyards, has been making a terroir based Riesling with the help of Winemaker J.L. Groux and some wonderful fruit courtesy of Mark Picone of Mark Picone Culinary Studio fame. Charles has a long and illustrious career in the wine/hospitality business and is one of the most respected voices for Ontario wines.
Closson Chase
Closson Chase is a quality-driven producer that has helped spearhead the birth of the Prince Edward County wine industry. Since 1999, it has been committed to creating distinctive wines that rival the world’s finest. Set in Hillier, Ontario, the estate is over 30 acres of south facing, limestone-rich soil under vine; planted high density to the classic Burgundian-varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Hidden Bench
Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery is an artisanal winery dedicated to producing ultra premium wines solely from vineyards situated within the Beamsville Bench VQA sub- appellation.Hidden Bench applies sustainable practices in the vineyard and the winery to reduce the impact of their footprint on the environment, their neighbours, and society as a whole. Hidden Bench uses environmentally sound practices and products wherever possible in the making and marketing of their wines and all the while protecting the resources and infrastructure of Hidden Bench.
Hillebrand Estates Winery
Founded in 1979, Hillebrand Winery is an innovative leader in the Niagara wine industry and one of Canada’s leading producer of premium Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA) wines. Based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Hillebrand Winery makes full use of the characteristics unique to the region, creating a range of premium wines, as well as stylish and energetic wine and culinary experiences.
Malivoire Wine
Innovation has been key to Martin Malivoire’s success since he purchased prime vineyard acreage on the Beamsville Bench in 1995, and opened his fascinating gravity-flow winery in an elaborately recycled Quonset hut in 1998. First focusing on varieties from northern France – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer – he then began the slow process of converting his 26-hectare vineyard to organic production. He also created a “serious” dry rosé called Ladybug, and a Musqué Spritz. Today, winemaker Shiraz Mottiar presides over a range of vibrant and polished wines, from inexpensive “Guilty Men” white and red blends to fine Gamay to classy, single-vineyard Pinots and Chardonnays. Not to mention Old Vines Foch, Albert’s Honour, almost the last bottling of a red hybrid that once ruled Niagara.
Norman Hardie Wines
Norman Hardie is both a person and a winery. His elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are a favourite of Ontario collectors, sommeliers and critics. (His Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Melon de Bourgogne get snapped up pretty quickly too.) Hardie began his professional life in the hospitality business, and although he is now a farmer, a winemaker and a traveling salesman, he’s still welcoming and serving the public at his winery in the western end of Prince Edward County, where he likes nothing better to tell the story of his journey towards better and better wine.
Peter Lehmann Wines
When pressured by his bosses in the 1970s to renege on a hand-shake deal he’d struck with the growers, Peter Lehmann said ‘to hell with them,’ and – with the help of the local community – bought all the grapes himself. He crafted them, bottled them, sold them and has continued doing so ever since.
Rosewood Estates Winery
Rosewood Estates Winery is a family operated, award winning, local winery ( just try our award winning Pinots), but also a noted meadery and apiary. The Roman family, combined with a passionate team of wine experts produces wine, mead or honey wine, honey, candles and other bee related products. The winemaking team is lead by Niagara born Natalie Spytkowsky and the beekeeping team is lead by Owner and Master Beekeeper, Eugene Roman. Taste our commitment to making distinctive wines that you’ll enjoy for any occasion. [video]
Southbrook Vineyards
Southbrook’s harmonious relationship to the land is passionately revealed through every aspect of our operations, and in the quality of our wines. Our LEED® Gold-certified hospitality building celebrates the vines that surround it. But the full expression of Southbrook’s philosophy is our biodynamic, organic vineyard and winery. From these, Southbrook produces fine age-worthy wines, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, classic Bordeaux blends and Chardonnays.
Stratus Vineyards
The Stratus winery, like our signature assemblage wines, is a composition – a whole greater than the sum of its parts. On their own, the individual elements are distinctly unique – a diversely planted vineyard with unusually rich soil; a sustainable facility that unites tradition and science to serve the winemaker’s art; and a retail gallery with adjoining tasting rooms that are both chic and welcoming. Working together, they create wines and experiences that are truly memorable.
Tawse Winery
Situated on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, Tawse Winery unites traditional winemaking techniques with state-of-the-art technology to create wines of exceptional elegance, depth and character. Fruit is harvested from old-growth, low-yield vines and gently handled using gravity flow and natural geo-thermic energy. Certified organic/biodynamic and Winery of the Year at the 2010 Canadian Wine Awards, Tawse brings the highest international standards of winemaking to Ontario.
Cooking Schools:
dish Cooking Studio
dish has twelve years of delivering the ultimate food experiences to our clients by combining the infectious passion and enthusiasm of our staff and suppliers to deliver extraordinary service and products. Recently launched dish ‘to go’ is about local, fresh, ready to go prepared foods for delectable family meals or simple and elegant entertaining – from our table to yours Whether you want to…learn to prepare your favourite cuisine or hone your skills in one of our fun, informative and intimate cooking classes…or… participate in a corporate team building event …or… take home some of our delectable ready to serve food items for your dinner or party…or… enhance your dining experience with our rubs and sauces created in our kitchen… we have the food experience for you!
From The Farm
From the Farm Cooking School offers the ultimate field to table culinary experience – farm tours to hands-on cooking classes in a heritage farm house setting. Come and experience the joy of cooking seasonally in Prince Edward County, Ontario – Canada’s newest culinary destination. Owner Cynthia Peters, a personal chef and food writer, conducts cooking classes that highlight the art of seasonal country cooking from around the world. Sessions are held in her restored 1830’s farm house, Willow Hill in Hillier Township — one of the regions top wine growing areas. A wide range of classes are available for groups, couples and individuals. From meeting local farmers to preparing traditional favorites in her state-of-the-art chef’s home kitchen— the day will capture your heart and your senses. Recently named as one of Canada’s Signature Experiences.
The Good Earth Food and Wine Company
Our 55 acre fruit farm in Beamsville provides an idyllic setting for our recreational Cooking School and charming Winery. Take a cooking class, attend a special culinary or winery event, enjoy lunch on our seasonal patio or order a “Moveable Feast” picnic to take along on your Niagara excursion. Travel down our dusty laneway and experience the good life at The Good Earth!
Rundles Restaurant Weekend Cooking Classes
Rundles Restaurant is located in the heart of picturesque Stratford, Ontario and offers a unique culinary experience for those interested in a hands on cooking experience. The classes are led by one of the country’s most celebrated chefs, Chef Neil Baxter. The classes are inspirational and informative mixed with just the right blend of humor. Chef Baxter believes that you must get your hands dirty to get the most out of the classes.
Wine Agencies:
Hobbs & Co.
Hobbs & Co. is a family-owned and -operated agency, delivering fine wines to the Ontario marketplace since 1993. We have been fortunate to be able to grow our business gradually, with an emphasis on quality, service and direct, on-going contact with our producers. We are now one of the province’s Tier One Consignment agents, offering a global portfolio of exceptional and great value wines to both licensees and private clients. Our team of eight knowledgeable, dedicated and highly qualified sales representatives covers the densely populated regions of Southern and Central Ontario. A number of our wines are also available through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Vintages stores and Classics Collections.
John Hanna & Sons
John Hanna & Sons Ltd is one of Canada’s oldest independent wine merchants. Since 1978, three generations of the Hanna family have been scouring the earth for handcrafted wines, each telling a story about the people and places behind them. Today, the JH&S portfolio represents one of the most important collections of small production artisan wines from around the globe. From famous and iconic producers in classic regions, to small passionate artisans in rural backwaters, the JH&S philosophy has remained consistent for over 30 years – to offer Ontario wine lovers a dynamic selection of delicious wines that deliver superior value and a story in each bottle.
Le Sommelier
Le Sommelier Inc., Exclusive Wine Agents is a wine agency dedicated to bringing fine wine to the Ontario market. Our portfolio consists of premium wines from small, and mostly family-owned boutique producers from all over the wine producing world including Italy, Australia, France, California, Spain, Washington, Germany and Austria. We offer most our wines through the LCBO’s Specialty Services department, and sell these wines directly to some of the finest restaurants across Ontario, as well as a large retail consumer base. We also work closely with LCBO VINTAGES department, and have many wines currently available on LCBO’s shelves!
Lifford Agencies
In 1995 Steven Campbell purchased Lifford Wine Agency. As a seasoned restaurateur of twenty years, Steve was passionate about wine and jumped at the opportunity to acquire a small but excellent portfolio of Californian, Australian and Italian wines. Steve’s next task was to expand the portfolio to include wines from many more countries and at various price points. Now, thirteen years later, Lifford represents more than sixty meticulously chosen producers from all over the world, a truly international collection of some of the most prestigious and successful wineries. Guided by Steven’s passion and expertise, the dynamic Lifford team has forged a unique identity in the wine trade and has become one of Ontario’s most favoured suppliers of wine to the hospitality industry.
Profile Wine Group
A coalition of three wine merchants: Barrique Wine Imports, VinVino Wine Merchants, and Du Chasse Wines and Spirits. Profile Wine Group is one of Canada’s premier wine and spirit agencies. Based on a unique and diverse portfolio, an uncompromising commitment to quality, and a standard of service second to none.
The Case For Wine
The Case For Wine principals are the husband and wife team of Terry Milne and Lloyd Evans. Terry’s background includes more than 20 years in hotel management and the hospitality industry.
The Living Vine
The Living Vine imports distributes only Organic and Biodynamic wines across Canada through our various monopoly liquor control boards and private stores. Most of our products are certified by a recognized international body or are renowned and respected for the natural wine making philosophy. Their commitment is to deliver world class offerings from iconic producers/growers whom happen to use Organic,Biodynamic or extremely sustainable philosophies to grow grapes and make wine.
Treasury Wine Estates
From the establishment of Australia’s Penfolds in the mid 1840s to the 1876 founding of Beringer Vineyards, a winemaking legacy has been created. The Treasury Wine Estates portfolio includes iconic brands such as Beringer, Chateau St. Jean, Lindemans, Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Rosemount, Wynns Coonawarrra Estate, Stags’ Leap Winery, Matua Valley, Etude, Castello di Gabbiano, Australia’s Seppelt, Coldstream Hills, and Devil’s Lair.
The Vine
In the spring of 2000, Rob Groh & Anne Jasper began building a portfolio of premium, family-owned wineries. Our shared passion for the wines of Italy and California defined the search for some of the most distinctive, authentic wines of those regions. We are proud to note that 12 years later, we have maintained most of those relationships, while developing one of the most comprehensive portfolios of premium wines in Ontario. Along the way we joined forces with Cave Spring Cellars, one of Ontario’s finest wineries.
We believe that smaller wineries, estate-oriented and family-owned, provide the best source of characterful wines that deserve attention. The Good Food Revolution is all about what the Slow Food movement calls ‘eco-gastronomy’, built around the concepts of biodiversity, sustainable farming, and artisanal production. These are the same principles that provide us with a healthy, dynamic, challenging world of wine.
We take great pride in our portfolio and hope you enjoy our selections. While some of our wines are available in Vintages on a limited basis, most of our portfolio is available exclusively by direct delivery from The Vine.
Woodman Agencies
Our company specializes in the importation, distribution, sales, and marketing of fine wines and spirits in Ontario through the LCBO. Woodman Wines and Spirits Inc. was founded in 1990. Russell Woodman, the principal and senior consultant has, for over 30 years, successfully built and grown the wine business for brand owners the world over.
Trade and Marketing Organisations:
Wine Australia
Wine Australia is an Australian Government statutory authority established in 1981 to provide strategic support to the Australian wine sector. Its mission is: To enhance the operating environment for the benefit of the Australian wine industry by providing the leading role in: market development; knowledge development; compliance; and trade.
Wines Of South Africa
WOSA is a not-for-profit industry organization which promotes the exports of all South African wine in key international markets. WOSA organizes South African tastings and events across Ontario with a view to increase public awareness of South African wineries and their wines.
Savour Stratford Perth County
The Stratford Tourism Alliance works to develop and promote Stratford and the surrounding area, Perth County as a premier, year-round culinary destination, with authentic and diverse offerings of local culinary products and experiences for both locals and visitors to the area.
Non-Profit Organisations/Charities
Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association
Since its founding in 1944, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association has grown to more than 30,000 members across the country. Through advocacy, research, member savings and industry events, we help our members in every Canadian community grow and prosper. CRFA members represent every sector of Canada’s vibrant and innovative foodservice industry, including restaurants, bars, cafeterias, coffee shops, and contract and social caterers. We also welcome suppliers to our industry as associate members of CRFA. CRFA’s head office is in Toronto, and we have regional offices in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax. The CFRA Show is held on March 4, 5 and 6 in Toronto, see crfashow.ca for more information.
FoodShare
FoodShare is a Toronto non-profit community organization whose vision is Good Healthy Food for All. Founded 26 years ago to address hunger in our communities, FoodShare takes a unique multifaceted and long-term approach to hunger and food issues. We work to empower individuals, families and communities through food-based initiatives, while advocating for the broader public policies needed to ensure that everyone has adequate access to sustainably produced, good healthy food. Working “from field to table,” the organization focuses on the entire system that puts food on our tables: from the growing, processing and distribution of food to its purchasing, cooking and consumption. FoodShare’s programs, which reach over 145,000 children and adults per month in Toronto, include Student Nutrition, Field to Table Schools, The Good Food Café, Focus on Food youth internships, the Good Food Box, Good Food Markets, Fresh Produce for Schools and Community Groups, Baby and Toddler Nutrition, Community Kitchens, Field to Table Catering, the Food Link Hotline, Power Soups, Community Gardening, Composting, Beekeeping and Urban Agriculture.? FoodShare Toronto is Canada?s largest community food security organization, recognized as an important innovator of effective programs that have been reproduced all across Canada.
Ocean Wise
Oceanwine is a Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants, food-services, retail outlets and suppliers to ensure they have the most current, scientific information regarding seafood and to help them make ocean-friendly buying decisions. One of GFR’s very first video podcasts was featured around Ocean Wise.
The Ontario Hostelry Institute
Established in 1997 by the leaders of the hospitality-tourism industry in Canada, the Institute has sought to raise the standards of professional post-secondary hospitality programs in our colleges and universities while serving as the advocate for the industry in matters relating to professional culinary, hospitality and tourism education, training and apprenticeship.
Second Harvest
Second Harvest is a charitable organization that takes a common-sense approach to hunger. For the past 25 years, we have been picking up donated, perishable food, which would otherwise go to waste, and delivering it to more than 200 social service agencies in Toronto. Independent research group, Charity Intelligence Canada has endorsed Second Harvest for its efficiency, conscientious administration, and high return to the community for every dollar donated. In addition, MoneySense magazine recently awarded an “A” grade to Second Harvest, naming it one of the most responsible charitable groups in Canada.
The Stop
Located in Toronto’s west end, The Stop works to increase access to food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality. From its origins as one of Canada’s first food banks, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, as well as foster social connections, build food skills and promote engagement in civic issues. Among the busy initiatives are community kitchens and gardens, cooking classes, drop-in meals, peri-natal support, a food bank, outdoor bake ovens, food markets and community advocacy. In 2009, The Stop opened The Green Barn, a sustainable food production and education centre with a 10,000-square-foot greenhouse, commercial kitchen, classroom, sheltered garden and composting facility. School visits and an after-school program offer hands-on opportunities for children to learn about the food system. Underlying all of The Stop’s efforts is the view that food should be a basic human right.
Terroir Symposium
Terroir is a hospitality symposium that brings together the innovative and creative influencers of Canada’s hospitality industry including chefs, food writers, wine and food experts and business leaders. Our symposium attracts people who are serious about the business of hospitality and who are looking to constantly develop and refine their careers. Terroir is a non-for-profit committee of industry professional that put on an annual symposium that is about education, networking, sharing collective resources and building a community that helps to strengthen our industry.
