Peterborough DBIA Relaunches Mac & Cheese Festival; 17 Restaurants Vying For Championship Title

The title of Mac + Cheese Champion is up for grabs as the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has relaunched its Mac and Cheese Festival for a fourth year running from April 1 to 26, announced on Tuesday.

Heather Wasson, Turnbull Cafe Owner showcases her entry: Hot Honey Mac Attack. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

This year’s festival will feature exclusive in-restaurant specials and a Grand Finale Event on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Quaker Foods City Square.

There are 17 downtown restaurants competing to win the championship trophy, each offering its own twist on the beloved comfort food, such as The Dirty Burger’s Mac & Cheeseburger Samosa.

The public can vote online to crown a winner for this year’s event.

“We figured, why settle for just one cheesy guilty pleasure when you can have two?” said Tyrone Flowers, The Vine owner and current champion. “This year we’ve combined two fan favourites - mac and cheese and jalapeño poppers - into one irresistible dish. It’s rich, creamy, packed with flavour and just the right amount of heat. Cheese lovers,  we made this one for you.”

Local celebrity judges will decide a winner for this year’s Peterborough’s Mac & Cheese Champion at the grand finale. The contenders for the grand finale event include: Dreams of Beans, La Mesita, The Vine, The Boardwalk Game Lounge, The Riverside Grill and Sam’s Place Deli. Vendors will also be selling drinks and sweets.

“The Mac & Cheese Festival is a fantastic way to showcase the culinary talent and the creativity of our downtown restaurants, while also bringing the community together over a dish we all love,” said Nour Mazloum, DBIA executive director. “We’re excited to bring this event back with an outdoor festival component that not only supports our local business community but also kicks off the Spring season in a really exciting way - with a day full of food, music and fun for all ages.”

Four local bands, including Jeanne Truax, Warren Frank, Brooklyn Doran, and VANCAMP, will perform live throughout the afternoon. A beer garden will be set up on the rink pad at Quaker Square, with local breweries, including 100 Acre Brewing Co., Sandbagger Hard Seltzer and Maple Light.

“I’m really looking forward to playing the mac & cheese festival at Quaker Square with the band,” said Calvin Bakelaar, VANCAMP frontman. “There’s nothing like an outdoor event with live music and an unreasonable amount of mac & cheese to really kick off spring.” 

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Community Care Peterborough Returns Meals to Go Fundraiser In Commemoration of 60 Years of Meals On Wheels

To celebrate 60 years of Meals on Wheels, Community Care Peterborough has announced the return of its Meals to Go fundraiser on March 26.

In Ontario, more than 68,000 people rely on Meals on Wheels, and Peterborough was home to one of Canada’s earliest programs, established just months after the country’s first. Community Care Peterborough delivers over 50,000 meals annually throughout the City and County of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan bui.

This semi-annual event allows local businesses to enjoy lunch delivered to their workplace by dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteers to support seniors and adults with physical challenges in the community.

Each meal sold helps subsidize the cost of Meals on Wheels in Peterborough according to Community Care Peterborough.

This year’s meal features a Greek Chicken Pasta Bowl with a Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free alternatives are also available. The menu has been crafted in collaboration with Mapleridge Retirement Residence, which prepares hot Meals on Wheels in Peterborough.

Meals must be ordered in advance by groups of co-workers, with one representative submitting the full order. The order deadline is March 18 and orders can be placed online.

Businesses and community members are invited to donate non-perishable food items in support of the Saint Vincent De Paul Food Pantry in Peterborough. A donation collection will be available at the time of meal delivery.

Community Care Peterborough continues in our community.

“We are so grateful for the incredible support that has sustained Meals on Wheels for 60 years,” said Chris LeBlanc, Director of Donor and Public Relations at Community Care Peterborough. “It takes the entire community—businesses, volunteers, donors, and partners—to keep this essential service going. Meals to Go is a fantastic way for businesses to enjoy a great meal, support Meals on Wheels, and now, give back even more by donating non-perishable food items to help those in need.”

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Photos: Peterborough's Appetites Kept Full at YWCA Empty Bowls Fundraiser

The YWCA hosted the 2025 edition of its Empty Bowls Fundraiser that aids food insecurity in our communities at The Venue on Friday afternoon.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Proceeds from the fundraiser were split between One City’s food programming and Kawartha Food Share.

Roughly 140 participants ate lunch from 11 restaurants while shopping for hand-crafted bowls created by local artisans of the Kawartha Potters Guild.

The following were participating local restaurants that served food at the event:

• By the Bridge

• Revelstoke Café

• Vanilla room

• La Mesita

• Hard Winter Bakery

• Ashburnham Ale House

• Levantine Grill

• St. Veronus

• Fresh Dreams

• Hanoi House

• Sam’s Place

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Hometown PTBO: Dennis Nephin Bringing Kawartha Ribfest to Peterborough Aug. 22-24 at Del Crary Park

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with Dennis Nephin about bringing Kawartha Ribfest to Del Crary Park from Aug. 22-24th, what to expect and why he opted to keep the event going in Peterborough.

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Local Restaurateur to Launch 'Electric City Catering' This Spring

Susan Tung, local restaurateur and Hanoi House owner, is officially launching ‘Electric City Catering’ this spring, announced on Tuesday.

Tung (left) and Bell (right) in front of Hanoi House, Tung’s first restaurant that she opened in Febuary of 2020. Photo courtesy of Susan Tung.

“The name ‘Electric City Catering’ pays homage to Peterborough’s heritage while reflecting our commitment to being a vibrant part of this community,” said Tung. “We aim to make every event unforgettable by combining incredible food with memorable experiences.”

The company would be available to service several occasions, such as weddings, corporate events and private celebrations. Tung says the company’s services can be used for either formal, casual or any atmosphere in between.

“We’ve loved hosting special moments within the four walls of our restaurants but this venture allows us to expand and be part of even more celebrations throughout the community,” she explained.

Morgan, Hanoi House’s general manager (and Tung’s former restaurant NAKA Japanese), will be the catering director for Electric City Catering. She graduated from George Brown’s Culinary Management program and has had prior experience working at Kettle Drums before moving to Hanoi House.

Tung opened Hanoi House on Valentine’s Day 2020, located at 213 Hunter St. W. After opening a second location of Hanoi House at 1040 Lansdowne St. W., Tung closed the Hunter Street location to consolidate the restaurant several months later.

She founded and opened NAKA Japanese in mid-February of 2023 at her former Hanoi House location on Hunter Street. W. Tung sold NAKA to Emily Tan on Nov. 1.

According to Tung, Electric City Catering is currently accepting bookings for the spring and summer. Inquiries or bookings can be made by emailing electriccitycater@gmail.com. A catering menu can be found at www.electriccitycatering.ca.

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Hometown PTBO: Jordan Leal Going FromCo-Owning The House of Scales to The Hub Sauce Co.

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with former House Of Scales owner and The Hub Sauce Co. founder Jordan Leal about his decision to leave the former to focus on the latter which launched last year.

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Tim Hortons Launches Second Smile Cookie Holiday Campaign For Kawartha Food Share

Tim Hortons is keeping Kawartha Food Share (KFS) happy this holiday season, as the latter has been selected as the recipient of the Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign.

Kawartha Food Share is a central collection and distribution warehouse that partners with 37-member agency food banks, food cupboards and other food action programs in the City and County of Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign launches next Monday and runs until Nov. 24 at all Tim Hortons locations in Peterborough, Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Curve Lake and Havelock. Cookies are $2 each and all proceeds will be split between KFS and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.

Last year, the campaign raised $67,290.96.

“Supporting communities is at the heart of the Tim Hortons brand and there's no better time than the holiday season for us to rally with guests, Tims’ restaurant owners and team members to spread kindness right across Canada,” said Axel Schwan, Tim Hortons president.

This year’s Holiday Smile Cookie is a white chocolate chip sugar cookie infused with red and green sprinkles and finished with a hand-decorated smile.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Tim Hortons for this wonderful initiative,” said Ashlee Aitken, KFS general manager. “The funds raised during this campaign will assist us in purchasing much-needed food items to keep our agencies shelves well stocked.”

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Don't Be Scared of 'Ghost Taco' As They Host Grand Opening Of New Peterborough Location

Peterborough’s newest spot for one of Mexico’s most popular food, ‘Ghost Taco’ held its grand opening at its location at 110 Chandler Cres. on Friday morning.

(From left to right) Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO, Addison Tomas and Chef Matt Basille doing the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’, testing customers spicy limits with a ghost pepper consomme. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The grand opening opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Jeff Leal, Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP and the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.

The event featured merchandise giveaways, a social media photo contest, raffles, drink samples (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and live cooking demos from chef Matt Basille.

Guests could participate in the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’ to test their spice tolerance with the restaurant’s latest creation, a consommé made from ghost peppers.

The restaurant is known for experimenting with traditional tacos. It offers more familiar styles, such as ‘Carnita’ (pulled pork) and Baja fish but also original concepts such as ‘Crispy Korean Tofu’ and ‘Charred Brussels.’

Bowls, sides and drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), including their own brand of beer called ‘Ghost Taco Cerveza,’ are also available.

The grand opening showcased their new limited offer: ‘The Ghost Taco,’ a birria beef and cream cheese taco in a deep-fried tortilla with a ghost pepper consommé.

“We call ourselves 'unauthentic Mexican' largely because it gives us the chance to really experiment with different flavours and different concepts,” explained Samantha Buckley, Ghost Taco co-founder and CEO. “There really is something for every flavour profile and they're all chef-inspired gourmet creations so it's not your typical build-your-own taco place.”

Tomas (left) checks in on Liam O’Connor of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce (right) for social media during the ‘Ghost Taco Challenge’. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ghost Taco was created after some creative pivoting from Buckley during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We own a couple full-service restaurants in Newmarket and a boutique event venue and in the middle of Covid, we were going into the second lockdown, we got shut down at our event venue and we just testing different take-out concepts,” she explained. “We figured, 'you know, what's really missing in the market?' and it's gourmet tacos in a quick-service setting.”

Through testing, social media and a pop-up, the restaurant started a hole in the wall before blowing up which started Ghost Taco.

The small franchise began in Newmarket and opened a second location in Vaughan. Peterborough has become home to its third restaurant and Whitby is planned to be the fourth in the winter next year.

“Jamie, one of our operators here in Peterborough, he really loved the brand and he inquired with us about what we could do to get one of these in Peterborough,” said Buckley. “It was always on our radar. We have ties to Peterborough through our family. You have such a family small-business feel so it really was the perfect fit for us.”

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Photos: AON Inc. Hosts 'Taste of the Gardens' In Food Vendor Showcase; Held Bake Sale To Benefit Kawartha Food Share

AON Inc. held a double feature of events with a ‘Taste of the Gardens’ food showcase and a ‘Fall Bake Sale’ held at Princess Gardens and Empress Gardens respectively on Thursday afternoon.

Teri Penfound, Colio Estate Wines area manager (left); Ray Barlow, AON Inc. VP (middle) and Dan Leal, director of dining services (right) enjoying a wine sample. All Photos by David Tuan Bui.

The Taste of the Gardens is a food showcase with over 20 vendors at Princess Gardens. It allows residents to sample various foods and drinks served at AON Inc.’s long-term care homes.

“It's bringing a food show to our residents so they get a chance to sample different ideas for the menus,” said Dan Leal, AON Inc. director of dining services. “Our vendors have come to showcase some of their new products with feedback for their fall menu.”

The feedback allows AON Inc. to adjust its menus from the feedback to better suit the needs of the residents and mix up the food choices available throughout the year.

“A lot of the vendors have commented on how the residents are enjoying their products and it's nice to see that the products that they are promoting and selling are bringing smiles to someone's face,” explained Leal. “They're enjoying it and they're getting honest feedback.”

Ashlee Aitken, Kawartha Food Share general manager (left) helps a customer select baked goods made by AON Inc. staff. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Simultaneously, Empress Gardens hosted a bake sale, with all proceeds benefitting Kawartha Food Share.

The baked goods included brownies, cookies, pies, haystacks, tarts and more, all made by AON Inc. staff.

Samples of baked goods, coffee, tea, and lemonade were also available to the public.

$1,575 was raised as a result of the bake sale fundraiser.

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New Peterborough-Based Company Launches Alcoholic Maple Seltzer

Locally-owned company Maple Light has launched its self-titled hard maple seltzer in various locations in Peterborough.

While the drink is produced elsewhere, Maple Light is owned and operated in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to a press release, the drink is a vodka-based seltzer and the first of its kind. It contains a hint of maple syrup (tapped by the founders in Ontario), citrus notes and sparkling water. It has a four-percent alcoholic content.

“Maple has a long heritage in Canada, and we're excited to share it in an innovative new format,” said Maple Light’s founders.

The drink’s inspiration came from the founders boiling down sap in their sugar shack in 2023. It created a maple cocktail that was a hit with their family and friends.

Maple Light is available at the following locations and is coming soon to grocery and convenience stores:

• Local bars and restaurants, including (but not limited to) Maple Moose Pub, Jesse’s Tap and Grill, Night Kitchen and The Vine

• Peterborough Memorial Centre

• Liquor Convenience Outlets, including Sullivan’s General Store and Express Convenience (Fowlers Corners ESSO)

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