Growing Chefs! Ontario

Attention teachers! Join us this fall for our School Ag-tours program. Students can get hands-on experience with a variety of animal experts with our ‘Places of Discovery (PODS)’.

Tours begin Monday Sept 9th until Friday Sept 13th from 9:30 am – 2:00 pm. Hear from the following:
Ontario Sheep Farmers
Grain Farmers of Ontario
Growing Chefs! Ontario
Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Egg Farmers of Ontario
Ontario Pork

This program is best suited for grades 3-8.

Register your class today at westernfair.ca!

Peppers, Zucchini and Squash…oh my! 🌶️

We are excited to announce the support of the Roots Community Fund in our Learn to Grow; Grow to Give project. This summer, team members from Trillium Mutual Insurance helped harvest and prepare vegetables from our garden for bi-monthly food boxes.

Learn to Grow; Grow to Give combines agri-education with an innovative food security model. While our gardens are used year-round in programming, they also provide fresh, culturally relevant food for newcomer families in London. In partnership with OSNP, the bi-monthly food boxes are distributed at no cost to food-insecure families though dignified school supports.

Thank you ROOTS Community Fund for helping us make our community a better place! 🍏

✨🍕Pizza night, your way. Whether you’re dining in with us for all-you-can-eat or taking a pizza to-go, our wood-fired pizza will always hit the spot.

Order forms for Take-out and our In-House Pizza Party are available in our bio 🔗🎟️

*Take-out will be available during our Pizza Party THIS FRIDAY August 9 from 7:00-8:30pm

📣 One spot in next week's Know Your Roots camp has just opened up! 📣

Click the link below to sign your camper up to spend the week with our team of chefs, gardeners, educators, counsellours and fellow campers enjoying great food and unforgettable experiences!

https://growingchefsontario.ca/news/summer-camp

🎉 Londonlicious is 1 day away!!! 🎉

The bi-annual festival supports us in our vision of building a healthy community that is engaged with our food system! 🌿🥕

Our fabulous sponsors not only support the festival, but also our children’s education projects in school, the community, and in our garden-based programming. 🌼👩‍🌾📚

Don’t forget to follow for your chance to WIN a dinner for two at a participating restaurant! 🎟️🍽️✨

Have your child join our Chefs at our Monthly Kid’s Cooking Class as they explore the world of Asian street food. Our Chefs will guide participants step-by-step! 👩🏼‍🍳

August’s theme: Asian Street Food

Menu
- Yakisoba (stir fried beef noodles) 🍜
- Yaki tomorokoshi (soy glazed corn on the cob) 🌽
- Taiyaki (fish shaped sweet custard pancakes) 🐠

Don’t miss out! Register today with the link in bio

London City Councillors are looking to “PAUSE” the London Community Grants Program and Neighbourhood Decision Making for the upcoming multi-year budget!!

These grants are vital to the work of countless community partners and nonprofits across London who provide integral, cost-effective programs and services to tens of thousands of Londoners every year. The return on investment the City receives through these grants has so much more value than the potential cost savings.

If we allow these funding streams to be cut, we will pay the price for decades to come! Now is the time to champion community engagement, innovation and sustainability!!

Read London Environmental Network’s open letter and write to your Councillor that you want them to support these grants.

Check out the open letter - link in bio!

We acknowledge the traditional territory upon which we gather, that of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat and Lenape Indigenous peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.

Most recently, this land in the area we call London is the territory of the Chippewa of the Thames, the Oneida of the Thames, and the Muncee Delaware Nation.

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we wanted to share an acknowledgement of the land prepared for Growing Chefs! Ontario by our friend and partner educator, Ray John of Oneida Nation.

We acknowledge the earth and its continuing connection to every single living thing.

We acknowledge the early civilizations who lived in harmony with the earth and who continue to utilize the land.

We acknowledge the future and that together we can revitalize our livelihood once again.

We acknowledge the earth once again for the essence of energy to give us life and love.

Thank you to our mother earth.

To all the incredible dads and father figures out there, today is your day to shine! From the little moments that make us laugh to the big lessons that shape our lives, your impact is immeasurable. Today, we celebrate you and all the joy you bring into our lives. Happy Father’s Day! 💙

At Growing Chefs! Ontario, we would like to recognize that June is Pride month! 🏳️‍🌈

This month, we honour the history, achievements, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. We stand in solidarity with the ongoing fight for equality and justice, recognizing that there is still much work to be done.

We are also very proud to be a Rainbow Registered business. The Rainbow Registered program is a national accreditation for businesses and organizations that meet a stringent set of standards to ensure the 2SLGBTQI+ community feels safe, welcomed and accepted.

Pride is more than just a celebration—it's a powerful reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and human rights for all. This June, join us in amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, sharing stories of courage and hope, and promoting inclusivity in our communities.

We have a volunteer opportunity for this Thursday from 4-5:30pm picking service berries. Pick a pint, keep a pint!

For more information and sign up, click here: https://signup.com/go/WMFaZUB

We had an action-packed weekend and wanted to share some highlights with you! 💚

Saturday, June 8th:
We hosted a Family Garden Program in our hoop house and gardens at the Agriplex Community Garden in the Western Fair District. Families enjoyed a scavenger hunt, indulged in a fresh strawberry-themed snack, and decorated pots to plant and take home. Before the program, we celebrated a significant milestone with our Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Recognition Event. We were able to celebrate everything we've achieved the past two years through our $200,000 grant from the OTF to enhance our garden education programs 🌱

This generous funding enabled us to build garden beds, expand our learning garden, and construct a three-season hoop house. It also allowed us to hire staff to design and facilitate engaging garden programs for children of all ages. A heartfelt thank you to the OTF – we couldn't have achieved this without you!

Sunday, June 9th:
Our team participated in the Forest City Road Races, supporting the Thames Valley Children’s Centre and 12 other charities, including ours! 🏃‍♂️ Thanks to your incredible support, we surpassed our goal, raising $1,149.77 for our programming. A huge shoutout to Shauna and all the amazing volunteers who made the event a success.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this weekend memorable. We look forward to more exciting community events in the future!

We are still buzzing with excitement after an unforgettable night at Global Gastronomy ten days ago! Chef Rodrigo Pacheco, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GoodWill Ambassador, wowed us all. Both our Master Class and Gourmet Dinner were incredible, and with the energy of our amazing community partners, has fuelled our passion and mission here at Growing Chefs! Ontario 💚

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made it possible – our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, fantastic vendors, and incredible staff 🙏 We are beyond grateful for the ongoing support from our wonderful community. Together, we’re cooking up something truly special!

Happy World Environment Day! 🌍

Today, we unite in a global call to action for environmental protection and sustainability. Let's celebrate our planet by committing to positive changes—whether it's reducing waste, planting trees, or advocating for a cleaner world. At Growing Chefs! Ontario we are proud to work with many community partners who understand the importance of protecting our environment and building a more sustainable city.

Every small action makes a significant impact. Today, take a moment to reflect on how you can be apart of creating a greener, healthier Earth! 🌿

If hand-tossed, wood-fired oven pizza is your vibe, you have to join us this Friday night at our In-House Pizza Party! 🍕

On the menu we have...
🥗 Seasonal spring salads
🍅 Margherita Pizza: san marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, basil, olive oil
🍄 Funghi Pizza: truffle mornay, garden herbs, maitake mushrooms, green garlic, pecorino romano
🍓 Sweet and Sour Duck Pizza: strawberry and san marzano, duck breast, confit garlic, brie, arugula
🍕 Asparagus Pesto Pizza: green garlic pesto, asparagus, ricotta, prosciutto
🍯 Diablo Salumi Pizza: san marzano tomatoes, hot calabrese, honey, ricotta, fior di latte, chilli crisp
🍊 Dessert: ginger panna cotta, rhubarb compote, orange crumb, candied mint, strawberries

⏰ 5:30pm and 7:30pm seatings ⁣

💸 $40pp + HST ⁣
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Don't miss out – grab your tickets now with the link in bio and get ready for a pizza party like no other! 🎟️

In-House Pizza Parties at HQ are BACK! 🍕 Join us for a celebration of all-you-can-eat wood-fired pizza, seasonal salads, and scrumptious desserts! ⁣
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✨ Open & communal seating – perfect for mingling with old friends and making new ones!⁣
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🍷 We are fully licensed with local wine, beer, and cocktails available for purchase.⁣
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💸 $40pp + HST ⁣
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📆 Friday June 7th and Friday July 5th⁣
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⏰ 5:30pm and 7:30pm seatings ⁣
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Don't miss out – grab your tickets now and get ready for a pizza party like no other! 🎟️

https://growingchefsontario.ca/events/in-person-pizza-party-2

Get ready for an adventure-packed Kid's 1st day! Join us at the Learning Garden at Growing Chefs! Ontario (460 King St) for a fun-filled PD day activity for all ages.

Drop in for an exciting garden scavenger hunt, experience harvesting firsthand, and savour a delicious garden snack! Our raised garden beds are bursting with veggies, edible flowers, and herbs, and our pollinator garden buzzes with life around our heritage elm tree 🐝

Plus, hidden among the leaves are fruit trees waiting to be discovered. Rain or shine, our garden party goes on (except during thunderstorms), with picnic tables under awnings for shade or rain cover! ☀️

Don't miss out on this day of discovery and fun for the whole family.

We have been busy planting in the garden this week, and want to give a big thank you to Friends of the London Civic Garden Complex for their seedling donation! 👩🏻‍🌾⁣
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Thanks to this donation, we now have an array of seedlings ready to be nurtured and grown in our thriving garden. We are grateful for your support and excited to see the positive impact that these seedlings will have on our community! ☀️

Have your little one join our Chefs at our Monthly Kid's Cooking Class as they explore seasonal flavours and exciting twists on beloved recipes, perfect for the whole family! Our Chefs will guide participants step-by-step, helping your young chefs develop confidence, enthusiasm, and cooking skills 🍽️

June’s menu theme: Garden Party!
Garden salad with spinach and strawberries 🍓
Sweet pea risotto with parmesan and pea shoots 🧀
Rhubarb muffins 🌱

Don’t miss out! Register here: https://buff.ly/3WN4ezc

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day from Growing Chefs! Ontario 🌍

We have made some improvements to ensure our food education programs are more accessible, and on this day we would like to share them with you!

🌱 Updated our social stories that provide insight into what our programs look like
🌱 Training sessions for staff and volunteers on Inclusivity and Accessibility
🌱 Installation of a universal washroom and accessible entrance at The Grove
🌱 Installation of wheelchair accessible garden beds
🌱 Support workers can join programs free of charge
🌱 Flexibility in program age ranges for individuals with cognitive or intellectual disabilities

If you have any additional suggestions to help us ensure everyone can participate in our programs, please leave a comment or reach out to [email protected].

Come and join us for a Family Garden Program on Saturday, June 8th, from 4-5pm 🪴 This program is designed for young children and their caregivers to enjoy together. Participate in a scavenger hunt, savour a fresh strawberry-themed garden snack, decorate a pot and plant a seedling in to bring home.

This program will be taking place in our hoop house and gardens at The Agriplex Community Garden within the Western Fair District. Our hoop house and raised garden beds at the Agriplex, as well as all of our garden programs, were made possible with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Our OTF Recognition Event will be taking place in the gardens just before the program starts, and we would love for you to be apart of it! ☀️

Registration is required for all family members and children. Please visit this link to register:

Family Garden Program Registration Please click the link to complete this form.

Since February, Suzette has been volunteering in our programs - from Kids’ Cooking Classes to the OSNP snack program and beyond! With her HBSc in Foods and Nutrition and over 35 years of experience in the food industry, including working with Kellogg’s and Nestle, Suzette brings a world of knowledge and enthusiasm to everything she does at Growing Chefs! Ontario 🍎 Her dedication to educating others about food, cooking, and the food industry is simply inspiring!⁣
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Suzette, we are beyond lucky to have you on our volunteer team! Thank you for sharing your expertise, passion, and kindness with us and every program participant you encounter.

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to the incredible women who bring warmth and strength into our lives ❤️ Today, take a moment to appreciate the wisdom and love they've shared.

Our Flower Pop-Up at Growing Chefs! HQ is today at 3pm! 🌷⁣
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Come grab a dozen stunning tulips for $24 - just in time to give Mom something special for Mother's Day! The proceeds from our flower pop-up will support our community food box program which provides fresh food boxes for families in need through the Ontario Student Nutrition Program.
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See you this afternoon from 3-5pm or until we’re sold out! 💐

Global Gastronomy, featuring renowned Ecuadorian Chef, Rodrigo Pacheco, would not be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors. We are so thankful to have such amazing supporters who help us deliver food education workshops to children and families which are designed to improve food literacy and an understanding of our food systems.

⁣Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors:
Middlesex-London Food Policy Council
The Grove at Western Fair District

Thank you to our Chef de Cuisine:
McCormick

Thank you to our Sous Chefs:
Tourism London, Ontario
Fanshawe College
London Economic Development Corporation

Thank you to our entertainment sponsor:
London Music Office
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For more information and ticket sales, please visit the Growing Chefs! Ontario website.