LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2026

EDITOR’S NOTES

Fall Comforts

standout VQA wines that over- deliver—especially when served with any course of autumnal menu. For beer lovers, we’ve mapped out local tasting flights paired up with perfect bites (page 69) and, for whisky connoisseurs, we propose serving Canadian whisky alongside meaty mains for an unexpected twist (page 43). We also champion the beloved native Concord grape on page 62 and bring the season’s bounty to the table in easy week night meals on page 75. Finally, because it’s party season—from Thanksgiving gatherings to a Saturday-night Halloween—we’ve packed in plenty of inspiration to dazzle your guests. “Small Talk” on page 25 makes the case for miniature cocktails as the chicest way to kick off an evening. We’ve even included a delightfully simple Halloween appetizer (page 104) and a spooky cocktail (page 15) that are sure to leave an impression. Wherever this season finds you—hosting, cooking, or simply curling up—I hope these pages bring comfort, inspiration and great flavour to your autumn table.

Autumn invites us to settle in, slow down and savour. This issue is all about leaning into those comforts— the bowls, the bakes, the spices and the seasonal rituals that make this time of year feel so grounding. We begin with the ultimate cold-weather companion: soup. In “Soup of the Day” on page 31, Food Editor, Eric Vellend, reminds us why a simmering pot on the stove is one of life’s simplest luxuries. From there, we elevate a kitchen staple in “Better Butter” (page 37), showing how nutty, aromatic brown butter can transform both sweet and savoury dishes. And, because our palates are shifting from summer to fall, we go globe-trotting through an atlas of flavours in “Spice World” on page 81, proving that a pinch of the right spice can turn any drink into a seasonal delight. But before we fully retreat indoors, on page 50 we’re squeezing in one last round of alfresco fun. In “Outdoor Pursuits,” Megan Powell and Charlene Rooke craft a breezy outdoor happy hour with cocktails and nibbles full of seasonal flavours perfectly designed for sweater- weather evenings. Fall is the best time of year to celebrate what’s grown close to home. Don’t miss our roundup of local food favourites on page 16 and then read on for stories rooted in Ontario’s harvest. Dick Snyder’s “Wise Buys” on page 56 uncovers

COMING SOON

Watch for the next issue of Food & Drink . Our Holiday issue will be in stores and online on Wednesday, November 4.

JODY DUNN Editor, LCBO Food & Drink

@lcbofoodanddrink

lcbofoodanddrink

LCBO

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMES TSE

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