Kingston, Ontario celebrates local chefs and Indigenous cuisine with revitalized culinary program

Kingstonlicious launches its first fully in-person lineup since its inception in 2020, with a variety of signature events and notable out-of-town chefs 

Kingstonlicious, presented by Tourism Kingston in partnership with renowned culinary curator Gold & Fife, returns this month with a new and improved format. This is the first fully in-person event series since the program’s inception in 2020. This year’s lineup includes mouth-watering prix fixe menus at nearly 30 participating restaurants from January through until the end of March.

Several one-of-a-kind culinary events will also take place throughout the program, highlighting the talents of local chefs and purveyors from across Canada. The signature event, Call to Action 83: A Celebration of Indigenous Cuisine, will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous chefs to share a day of culinary exploration in March. Rooted in education, collegiality and respect for the seasons; the chefs will build a powerful experience that explores Indigenous foodways of the region, linking the food and drink consumed with its history, heritage, culture and geography. Paired with Indigenous artisan presentations, live music and storytelling, this event will provide an authentic and engaging Indigenous tourism experience - further event details will be announced in the coming weeks.

See below for the current lineup of events, with more to come:

January 28 & 29 – Apres Sauna + Fondue at The Secret Garden Inn

Enjoy a 75-minute guided sauna experience followed by an indulgent seafood fondue feast, paired with a selection of natural wines chosen specifically to suit your palate.

February 22 – For the Love of Cheese at AquaTerra

Multiple seatings, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Chef Brent McAllister welcomes Maïtre Fromager, Afrim Pristine, from Toronto’s Cheese Boutique, to create a multi-course menu showcasing cheeses from around the globe, with drink pairings for each course. Mio Gelato will create a special dessert for this evening.

March 4 – Dim Sum Meets Trinidadian Delights at Northside Espresso + Kitchen 

Seatings at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00p.m. 

Northside’s Chef Art Hill welcomes Chef Nick Liu of Toronto’s DaiLo and Sally Ramsaran of Kingston’s Sally’s Roti Shop to create a unique multicultural menu. Enjoy a dim sum platter followed by a Trinidadian breakfast plate, Sada roti and chokra, and a special dessert that brings the two culinary worlds together. 

March 21 – Michelin Star-Studded Pasta Soiree at The Everly

Seatings at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm

Chef Joel Watanabe of Vancouver’s Michelin Star, Kissa Tanto, joins The Everly’s Jamie Hodge and Miss Bao’s Bellen Tong for an evening highlighting hand-crafted pasta. Guest sommeliers from Toronto’s Grape Witches, a female-owned organic, biodynamic, and natural wine-focused agency, will pair local, B.C. and international wines with the menu.

Also new this year are a variety of dine and stay packages. Select accommodators have partnered with Kingstonlicious to provide visitors with the perfect weekend getaway, which includes accommodation and $100 VISA gift card for qualifying stays.

For more information visit: www.visitkingston.ca/kingstonlicious

About Tourism Kingston

Tourism Kingston’s mission is to promote Kingston, Ontario, as a uniquely historic and hip destination to explore year-round. Tourism Kingston’s vision is to excel in creating, promoting, and growing opportunities for Kingston, Ontario, to be a premier destination for individuals, groups and businesses; to leverage tourism as a key driver of a healthy economy of Kingston; and to champion Kingston as a destination for local, regional, national and international tourism. Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

About Gold & Fife

Natalie Goldenberg-Fife has her finger on the pulse of culinary innovation. For nearly a decade, she has curated over 500 events in top restaurants and wineries in Ontario, British Columbia, Chicago and New York City. Her deep-rooted connections in the elite strata of food and wine industries enable her to organize unusually creative and satisfying events for her clients. For more information follow them on Instagram or visit their website.