LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2021

LEADERS OF THE PACK

TRAILBLAZERS Inspiring Ontario with cutting-edge products and services.

Barrelling forward

Great wine and whisky require great barrels, and a handful of Ontarians are reviving the craft of making them in our own back- yard—even from Canadian oak. More than 20 years ago, a hike inspired Hamilton physician Jim Hedges: Could Canada’s white oaks make wine- and whisky-aging bar- rels as distinctive as Europe’s? With McMaster University’s Dr. Mike Risk, he set to experimenting. Many vintages of fine Canadian oak-aged wines and spirits, like Forty Creek’s Confederation Oak Reserve Whisky ( LCBO 195651, $69.95), have since proved him right. Today, a renaissance is underway. Artisans such as Pete Bradford and Damien Matthews have revived the art of barrel-­ making and repair in Ontario wine country in the past decade. At County Cooperage in Carp, Joe Thomson is prepping to make his first new barrels and open a tasting room that could feature wine, spir- its and even maple syrup or hot sauce aged in them. “A Canadian-­ made barrel just adds to the story, especially if people can visit the cooperage and see where it’s made,” he says. At Spring Mill Distillery in Guelph, coopering apprentice Quinn Sleeman is repairing and maintaining whisky-aging barrels, hoping one day to make his own. Having already studied in Scotland and Missouri, “I plan on travel- ling to Spain and France to learn more,” Sleeman says. — Charlene Rooke

Sign us up! When dine-in and after-work drinks were lost to COVID-19 restrictions, these purveyors found creative ways to deliver the goods.

For that handmade ramen experience Guelph-area handmade noodle haven Crafty Ramen caters to the cravings of the authentic noodle bar fan. Its fresh ramen subscription service lets you choose from a selection of slurp-worthy options, from spicy negi (vegan) to Kaizen warrior pork (broth and fresh ingredients are included in the order). Co-founders Jared and Miki Ferrell attended the Yama- to School of Ramen together, so you’re guaranteed an authentic experience. Kits start at $32. Crafty Ramen delivers through- out Southwestern Ontario. craftyramen.com — Flannery Dean

Bespokemocktails at home

Artisanal pizza, any time General Assembly Pizza has upped the frozen pie game with its pizza subscription service, which launched in September 2020. The Toronto-based artisanal pizza maker now allows pie fans to order anywhere from four to ten of its 10-inch naturally leavened pizzas (delivered frozen) for as low as $39 per month. The pizzas, which are ready to eat in under 10 minutes, are available for delivery in select postal codes in South- western Ontario. gapizza.com/products/ subscription

Toronto-based cocktail queens Evelyn Chick and Amanda Chen always wanted to start a cocktail subscrip- tion service. COVID-19 restrictions just played the role of “catalyst,” says Chick. Their Stay at Home Cocktail Club delivers three seasonally inspired mocktail recipes (making nine drinks total)— and the ingredients to make them—to homes across Canada for just $45 a month. Should you want to level up, the recipes come with spirits suggestions you can add to the mix from your home bar. stayathomecocktailclub.com

STAY AT HOME COCKTAIL CLUB BY EVELYN CHIC; GENERAL ASSEMBLY PIZZA BY VINCE NOGUCHI; CRAFTY RAMEN BY JONATHON BARRABALL AT DILETTANTE HOSPITALITY; COUNTY COOPERAGE BY PAULSANDERSONPHOTOGRAPHY

Joe Thomson, County Cooperage

More people to follow: @bartenderatlas @coupeandmixer @liqculture

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AUTUMN 2021 FOOD & DRINK