Gather at the Table in Grey Offering everything from homemade schnitzel to in-house bagels, farm-to-table restaurants to 50s-style diners, Grey County has quietly become a culinary destination. But with award-winning Trinidadian-born, Canadian-raised chef and artist Roger Mooking taking on the role of Grey County's Creative Director and Culinary Ambassador, the secret is quickly getting out. He’s been working closely with the county to shine a spotlight on the diverse food scene, resulting in a series of videos, Gather in Grey, where Mooking visits culinary destinations, meets the owners and tastes their specialties. The videos often wrap with his signature line: “I can gather around that.” But why Gather? Just a few years ago, the term foodie wasn’t really on our radar. There were no food influencers and very few social accounts showcasing well-plated dishes prepared by celebrated chefs. And while Gather began with food in Grey County, it has evolved into something larger, a reflection of the ways people connect here. Today, Gather extends beyond the table to include local events, shared spaces and community experiences that bring people together year-round. At its core, Gather is about people. What makes a truly great meal even more special is the company you enjoy it with. In Grey County, a long list of well-known chefs have left the confines of the city behind for greener pastures. Here chefs can live closer to the farms providing the fresh ingredients that make their food shine. Chefs can enjoy the outdoors and a slower pace of life. They’re also discovering there’s an appetite for great food among visitors and locals alike. Incredible culinary experiences like Down Home Farmhouse Restaurant, The Gate Restaurant with chef Jonathan Gushue, Naagan by chef Zach Keeshig and Mark McEwan’s Thornbury restaurants, The Port Tavern and Fabricca, have been garnering attention on Best Of lists in recent years. Mooking is among those who decided to make the move to Grey to better balance his lifestyle. “I drew a radius around the general area I thought could work for me,” he explained while speaking at a recent Grey County event. “I wanted to be close enough to the airport to travel for The Food Network [where he’s the host of Man Fire Food and Man's Greatest Food]. I needed space for the fire pits and the smokers and enough property to be able to wander, shoot videos, host events and retreats where folks could get back to the city quickly. I saw 15 properties and the Rocklands Market location [in Berkeley] was the final one. I fell in love with Grey County the moment I stumbled upon it. It has the immediate feeling of home, and I want the rest of the world to realize the magic that is in this very special pocket of Ontario.” The next time you’re looking for a food experience in Grey County with a great story behind it, visit the Grey County Tourism website at visitgrey.ca and watch the Gather series. You’ll uncover hidden gems, learn about the people behind the plates and discover some amazing food experiences that you can gather around. – Allison Kennedy Davies
Scenes and faces of the county's bounty.
GREY COUNTY TOURISM
31