4 new One Stars and a new Green Star join the MICHELIN Guide Toronto 2024

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 – The third edition of the Toronto and region Michelin Guide was announced at HISTORY last week, with the region’s most prominent chefs in attendance, unveiling the restaurants that have received a MICHELIN Star or another MICHELIN Guide distinction. It’s the first time the guide will feature selections from beyond Toronto, highlighting the breadth and diversity of the region’s culinary ecosystem. Toronto’s selection saw the addition of 4 new One Stars, four new Bib Gourmands, and a new Green Star. 

Toronto was the first Canadian MICHELIN Guide destination announced in 2022 and the sixth in North America. The 2023 ceremony awarded Stars to fifteen Toronto restaurants—one of which received two Stars—as well as 21 Bib Gourmands, 46 Recommended restaurants and two Green Stars. Last year’s selection comprised 82 restaurants and 28 cuisine types.

MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region provides an opportunity to attract visitors from around the world by spotlighting the city’s diverse food scene and the quality of the region. According to a study by Destination Toronto, Economic Impact of Visitors in Toronto, visitors spent $8.4 billion in 2023 with the food and beverage sector accounting for 24 per cent, totaling $2.0 billion. The study also found that visitors supported over 16,000 direct jobs in food services.

With more than half of its residents born outside of Canada, Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Home to multicultural neighbourhoods like Koreatown, Little Jamaica, Greektown, Little India, multiple Chinatowns and more, the city’s diversity is reflected in the scope and scale of Toronto’s many cuisines in more than 15,000 restaurants and food establishments.

“The Greater Toronto Area boasts one of the most diverse, high-quality culinary scenes on the planet, with world-class dining experiences prepared by a variety of talented and creative chefs. This year’s MICHELIN Guide Toronto & Region showcases some of the best of these culinary innovators from Toronto and beyond. By encouraging culinary tourism and inspiring more people to sample made-in-Ontario cuisines from around the world, this year’s guide provides a real economic impact for the province.”

–  The Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

This year’s Michelin Guide

Among the new One Stars are Chef Daniele Corona of DaNico and Chef Jeremy Austin of The Pine, where Italian food infused with global influences (think house-made basil bottini filled with smoked burrata) and authentic Chinese flavours (like carrot jiaozi and dried fried string beans) await respectively. 

Leading the way for sustainability is Restaurant Pearl Morissette and their 42-acre property consisting of a winery, regenerative farm, vegetable/flower garden, herb plot, and a local peach orchard. 

“Congratulations to all the Toronto restaurants and workers recognized by the Michelin Guide this year. Toronto has thousands of wonderful restaurants, serving cuisines from all over the world. We’re proud of our diverse and world-class food scene. I encourage everyone to explore our local restaurants, bars and cafes – and enjoy what our great city has to offer.” –  Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto

Keep reading below to catch up on all of Toronto’s latest gastronomic achievements and see for yourself just how delicious TO is getting!

New One Stars

DaNico
Cuisine: Italian

Wondering if DaNico is worth a stop? You can take it to the bank—quite literally, as the restaurant is nestled inside a former bank building. Inside, dark colors, linen tablecloths, and plush seating set a sophisticated tone, but the irreverent artwork proves they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Chef/partner Daniele Corona cooks Italian food with a global influence. Choose from a multi-course prix-fixe or a chef’s tasting menu to enjoy items such as wild Pacific crab served over thin, noodle-like vegetables, garnished with trout roe, and finished table-side with a Sicilian green olive coulis. Then, house-made basil bottini filled with smoked burrata is nestled in a creamy sauce for a dish that delivers dialled-in flavour.

Valentyna Tretiak / DaNico

Hexagon
Cuisine: Contemporary

This stylish restaurant in downtown Oakville could get by on looks alone with its sliding patio doors, wrap-around terrace, and an interior that is at once cool and casual. But for Chef Rafael Covarrubias, he’s got a lot more in mind. The menu reads familiar – beef tartare, oysters, fish – but what emerges from the kitchen are beautiful, soigné works that are refined, original, and substantial. Potato foam, brown butter, and roe are clever pairings with Hokkaido scallop. Pasta is a highlight, like corn agnolotti with Manchego, but so too is the short rib. And for dessert, cheesecake is surprisingly light and savory thanks to strawberries and a nutty almond cookie. To see this kitchen at its most ambitious, guests can book a tasting menu in advance.

aniella K / Hexagon

The Pine
Cuisine: Chinese

Located in charming Creemore, north of Toronto in Simcoe County, find this culinary landmark housed in a chic space that was formerly a gas station. Run by Chef Jeremy Austin and his wife, Cassie, The Pine is a distinct dining experience that is informed by the chef’s years working in China. A meal here draws on authentic flavors delivered with striking creativity and conviction on an ever-evolving menu. A gorgeous tea egg kicks things off; the Sichuan-favorite dried fried string beans arrive as a cold salad; and the carrot jiaozi is a delightful dumpling; but those are merely a few of the treasures on offer.

Yu Xiang Qie zi / The Pine

New One Star & Green Star

Restaurant Pearl Morissette 
Cuisine: Contemporary

This 42-acre destination in the picturesque Niagara region is the full experience. A restaurant, winery, orchard, farm, and bakery, Restaurant Pearl Morissette is a powerhouse. With great pride for Canadian ingredients and respect for the seasons, Chefs Daniel Hadida and Eric Robertson make the most of their surroundings to enhance their spontaneous tasting menu’s dishes, as in free-range pork, slow roasted over a peach wood fire, glazed with sweet potato miso, and plated with hazelnut jus. Yes, there is plenty of wine available, but don’t miss the accomplished juice pairing either. The meal may conclude sweetly, with a buckwheat sable cookie, honey whipped cream, honeycomb-shaped tuile, and honey ice cream. Meanwhile, the warm team keeps the tasting moving at a friendly clip.

John Cullen / The Restaurant at Pearl Morissette

One Stars

Aburi Hana
Cuisine: Japanese

Alo
Cuisine: Contemporary

Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto
Cuisine: Italian

Edulis
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Enigma Yorkville
Cuisine: Contemporary

Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto
Cuisine: Japanese

Kappo Sato
Cuisine: Japanese

Osteria Giulia
Cuisine: Italian

Quetzal
Cuisine: Mexican

Restaurant 20 Victoria
Cuisine: Comteporary

Shoushin
Cuisine: Japanese

Alix Critchley / Alobar Yorkville

Two Stars

Sushi Masaki Saito
Cuisine: Japanese

Photo: Courtesy of Sushi Masaki Saito

Green Star

White Lily Diner
Cuisine: Creative

Pawelec Photo / White Lily Diner

About the MICHELIN Guide

Recognized globally for excellence and quality, the MICHELIN Guide offers a selection of world-class restaurants. 

• The famous one, two and three MICHELIN Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.
• The Bib Gourmand is a designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value – often known as personal favorites among the inspectors when dining on their own time.
• The MICHELIN Green Star honours restaurants that are pioneers in sustainable gastronomy.
• Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors.

The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveller seeking an unforgettable meal and hospitality experience. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage the development of car mobility as well as tire sales by giving practical advice to motorists. Progressively, the Guide has specialized in restaurant and hotel recommendations. Michelin’s inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by the inspectors in the very beginning.

The restaurant selections join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay around the world. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an amazing hotel.

Thanks to the rigorous MICHELIN Guide selection process that is applied independently and consistently in more than 45 destinations, the MICHELIN Guide has become an international benchmark in fine dining.

All restaurants in the Guide are recommended by Michelin’s anonymous inspectors, who are trained to apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin inspectors for many decades throughout the world. This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin inspectors pay all their bills in full, and only the quality of the cuisine is evaluated. 

To fully assess the quality of a restaurant, the inspectors apply five criteria defined by Michelin: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavours; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. These criteria guarantee a consistent and fair selection so a Starred restaurant has the same value regardless of whether it is in Paris, New York or anywhere else in the world.

SOURCE This article is partially a repost from The MICHELIN Guide.

Home / Events / Canada’s premier Whisky Festival is happening in Toronto this October

Canada’s premier Whisky Festival is happening in Toronto this October

WHISKY GLOBAL makes its Toronto debut!

TORONTO, September 24, 2024 – Toronto whisky enthusiasts, get ready. Canada’s premier whisky festival is set to take place on October 19, 2024 at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex in downtown Toronto. Following the notable success of Whisky Global’s Vancouver and Kelowna editions, the inaugural event promises to be an exceptional experience for whisky connoisseurs and novices alike. Both General Admission and VIP tickets are available and can be purchased at thewhiskyglobal.com/yyz.

Not your grandfather’s whisky festival

It is not your grandfather’s whisky festival. It is a premier experience centred around the tasting of and learning about whiskey. Here’s what to expect:

1. Two Exciting Sessions: Two sessions on October 19th. Daytime from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and evening from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

2. VIP Experience: Attendees can elevate their experience with VIP tickets which grants them access to the Grand Whisky Hall one hour before general admission (12:00 PM for the daytime session and 6:00 PM for the evening) when vendors are pouring their most premium pours. And they’ll enjoy exclusive access to premium selections from vendors and indulge in rare VIP pours, plus additional perks.

3. Diverse Selection (see Appendix for full list of exhibitors): With over 140 whisky SKUs available for sampling, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of global flavours and profiles, making it a haven for whisky enthusiasts.Inclusive Experience: Whisky Global is designed for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners looking to delve into the world of whisky. The event offers a special opportunity to sip, taste, and learn in a welcoming and comfortable space.
4. All-Inclusive Tickets: Each ticket includes samples of the finest whiskies, a whisky-infused dinner, coat check, commemorative souvenir glass and master classes.
5. On-site“MasterclassMezzanine”:Guestswillhavetheopportunitytolearn from brand representatives with twelve short 20-minute whisky classes throughout the day – no additional purchase is required.
6. Fun and Social Atmosphere: Whisky Global is not just an event; it’s an experience. Guests are encouraged to dress up, mingle, and enjoy live music throughout the memorable night.

Adam Bloch

“I love Toronto. I was born and raised here and I’ve always wanted to bring Whisky Global to my hometown,” said Adam Bloch, the event’s lead producer. “Toronto is a city built around history and culture and nothing is richer in those than the community surrounding whisky.”

“I started my own whisky journey by attending a whisky tasting and thus it is a personal mission (of mine) to offer that same opportunity to others.” commented Bloch.

The Whisky Global Toronto, Vancouver, Kelowna and soon Calgary, experiences have been designed and produced by in-house whisky connoisseurs and we are excited to share that Toronto has collaborated with industry insider Elizabeth (Whisky Beth) Havers.

Whether you’re a whisky aficionado or just starting your journey, Whisky Global offers a unique experience for all.

About Whisky Global

Whisky Global is Canada’s premier whisky festival and annual event that celebrates the rich and diverse world of whisky. Beginning more than a decade ago, the whisky community has continued to grow leaps and bounds. Bringing together enthusiasts, experts, and newcomers, the event aims to create a platform for shared experiences, education, and appreciation of this timeless spirit. Join us for an evening of exploration, entertainment, and discovery at Whisky Global 2024. Find out more at https://www.thewhiskyglobal.com/.

Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca