#FOOD: THE DISTILLERY WINTER VILLAGE UNVEIL 2025 FOOD PROGRAM

Food is at the heart of The Distillery Winter Village experience. Visitors return year after year to stroll the cobblestone lanes with a warm dish or hot chocolate in hand, making culinary memories along the way.

This year’s event features 40 food vendors and nine themed outdoor bars, offering everything from classic winter comfort food to imaginative new creations you won’t find anywhere else. Expect a mouthwatering mix of sweet and savoury favourites, returning viral sensations, and exciting new additions.

Back by popular (viral) demand:

-Cluny Bistro’s S’mores Hot Chocolate (with new flavours!)
-Japan Taco
-Spirit of York’s “Yorkie Burrito”
-Naughty or Nice Bar
-Poutine, pretzels, handmade dumplings, empanadas, pierogies, mini donuts, mini pancakes, fresh strawberries with chocolate, classic Swiss Raclette and other cozy classics

NEW & EXCLUSIVE: CHEF’S LANE

The biggest culinary addition this year is Chef’s Lane, an elevated food experience exclusive to The Distillery Winter Village. Featuring four cabins, four chefs, and four one-of-a-kind holiday-inspired dishes created just for this event – it’s a celebration of creativity, comfort, and Canadian culinary talent.

Meet the 2025 Chef’s Lane chefs:

-Chef Claudio Aprile – The Aprile Holiday Feast
Roast turkey, smoked brisket, sweet potato, smoked provolone, fresh sage and cranberry chutney.
-Chef Nuit Regular – Tom Yum Soup
Aromatic Thai hot & sour soup with poached shrimp, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, and sawtooth coriander.
-Chef Bruno Feldeisen – Candy Cane Cheesecake Lollipop
A festive cheesecake dipped in chocolate and served on a popsicle stick.
-Chef Eric Chong – Spicy Mala Poutine
Pork & cabbage dumplings, mozzarella, Szechuan gravy, and fries.

NEW & EXCLUSIVE: A CRAIG’S COOKIES POP-UP

A special Craig’s Cookies pop-up is serving their festival-exclusive Holiday Hot Chocolate (a rich, ethically sourced Soul Chocolate blend with organic milk) with toasted marshmallow and topped with a mini White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie. It’s a cup of pure festive joy from Toronto’s cookie entrepreneur, Craig Pike. Running the entire duration of the event, the 2025 Holiday Mix of cookies will also be available at the pop-up, along with festive sugar cookies (perfect for gifting) and other favourite year-round flavours. Find Craig’s Cookies on Gristmill Lane near the Big Heart.

One of the newest year-round additions to The Distillery District is Demetres, the award-winning Canadian craft ice cream and artisanal dessert restaurant. This marks their first-ever Winter Village, and they’re serving up something extra sweet for festival-goers. Stop by Demetres to enjoy their indulgent Dubai Hot Chocolate and Crème Brûlée Crêpes, then head over to the festival cabin at Scooped by Demetres, for a taste of their warm and gooey Apple Pie Monkey Bread. Can’t decide which one to try? Not to worry – all their offerings are as delicious (and photogenic) as you’d expect.

OTHER NEW, FESTIVE FOOD AND DRINK:

Escape to the land of pura vida (“the good life”) and the warmth of Costa Rica – The Archeo patio transforms into a tropical chocolate paradise, where guests can sip hot chocolate served in fresh coconuts topped with whipped cream, try the decadent “mochanut” (a blend of coffee and hot chocolate, also served in a real coconut), dip into tropical fruit fondue, and sample premium chocolate. Enjoy your drink at vibrant surfboard tables, then unwind in bird-nest loungers beneath a symbolic ceiba tree, surrounded by rainforest scenery where sloths, parrots, and tree frogs make an appearance. For kids, there’s a creative colouring station inspired by Costa Rica’s iconic hand-painted oxcarts.

Ugly Sweater Patio Bar – The Cluny Bistro patio invites you to flaunt your best (or worst) holiday sweater. An 8-foot ball of yarn sets the stage for a quirky, can’t-miss holiday hangout.

Peppermint Patio – Follow the 10’ Candy Cane Wreath into a red-and-white striped wonderland. From arches to columns, this Madrina Bar y Tapas patio is sugar-cane sweet and brimming with holiday cheer. Order a candy-cane inspired cocktail and raise a glass to the season.

We had the joy of previewing the 2025 Food Program. Highlights here:

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Some highlights from opening night of the 2025 Distillery Winter Village, including Tree Lighting presented by L’Oreal, the JellyCat pop-up, vendors, and appearance by amazing The Tenors!

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE TENORS is now available to stream here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FOOD: ERIC CHONG X ALVIN LEUNG’S AKIN NOW OPEN FOR RESERVATIONS

Founded by the visionary duo Alvin Leung, a three-Michelin-starred chef, and Eric Chong, the first winner of MasterChef Canada, aKin represents a fusion of decades of culinary heritage and a commitment to innovation in Canadian fine dining. Located in Toronto’s Old Town at 51 Colborne Street, aKin will introduce a 10-course blind tasting menu that challenges the senses and reimagines traditional flavours. Pre-reservations are now open via www.akintoronto.com or Tock, with tables available beginning November 19th.

We had a chance to preview the amazing AKIN:

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aKin opens its doors in November 2024, and will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, 5 PM to 12 AM. The restaurant features a dining room that accommodates 28 guests, alongside an exclusive chef’s counter for four and a private dining room for eight.

The signature 10-course blind tasting menu will evolve seasonally and is priced at $275 per diner, with two optional supplements: caviar or A5 wagyu beef, each priced at $75. Two drink pairing options will be available: a curated wine pairing and a crafted cocktail pairing, each priced at $135.

The name aKin holds significant meaning. “aKin” refers to being “of similar nature or character,” reflecting the chefs’ philosophies of modernizing traditional dishes while retaining their true essence. It also translates to “related by blood,” symbolizing the strong bond between Alvin and Eric. While they are not related by blood, they have become family through their shared passion for culinary excellence. This bond is physically represented at aKin by a DNA-inspired central light fixture, a custom piece that illuminates the heart of the restaurant, as well as other detail.

At aKin, every meal is a journey, with a meticulously crafted menu designed to transform the dining experience into an adventurous exploration of taste. Leung and Chong draw inspiration from traditional Asian recipes and contemporary culinary techniques, creating dishes that are not only visually stunning but also layered with complex flavours.

The dedication to detail and excellence extends beyond the kitchen. Every aspect of the dining experience at aKin has been thoughtfully curated, from custom flatware designed to enhance each dish’s presentation to exquisite glassware and cutlery. All elements are curated to create an ambiance of sophistication and elegance, contributing to a unique dining experience in our city.