PTBOCanada Featured Post: Wellness Minute With Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Allergy Season

PTBOCanada Featured Post: Wellness Minute With Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Allergy Season

Sponsored post by Jo Anne's Place Health Foods

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PTBO Eats: Hanoi House Bringing Vietnamese Cuisine to Peterborough and Its Rapid Success With Two Locations

PTBO Eats: Hanoi House Bringing Vietnamese Cuisine to Peterborough and Its Rapid Success With Two Locations

Presented by Y-Drive Eats

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Food Handler Courses Return at Peterborough Public Health

After two years of suspension, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is resuming registration for food handler training courses and certification exams will resume announced Wednesday.

The first food handler course takes place at the Venue on April 5 at 9 a.m. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Courses and exams will be limited over the next several months according to PPH. They encourage anyone interested to review the course schedule and register as soon as possible.

To register for one of the courses listed below, or for more information, contact the PPH office weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (705) 743-1000.

  • April 5, The Venue – 286 George St. N., Peterborough, ON K9J 3H2. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • April 11, North Kawartha Community Centre Banquet Hall – 340 McFadden Rd. Apsley, ON K0L 1A0. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • April 19, Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre Millennium Room – 88 Alma St. Norwood, ON K0L 2V0. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • May 17, The Venue – 286 George St. N., Peterborough, ON K9J 3H2. 9 – 4 p.m.

  • May 31, Cavan Monaghan Community Centre Community Hall – 986 County Rd 10 Millbrook, ON. L0A 1G0. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • June 7, Douro Community Centre Wellington Room – 2893 Highway 28, Douro, ON K9J 6Y2. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • July 6, Buckhorn Community Centre – 1782 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn, ON K0L 1J0, West entrance. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Based on past experience, we know that this service is heavily used by people who live and work within the region and we are excited to begin resuming food handler courses and exams steadily and safely,” said Julie Ingram, manager of environmental health. “We hope to increase the number of course and exam sessions once we reach the summer and fall months, depending on our COVID-19 redeployment and other demands for inspection services.”

PPH has increased accessibility to the limited courses for people living and working within the region, priority for registration will be provided to anyone who lives or works within the areas served by them including the City of Peterborough, County of Peterborough, Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation.

All public health measures are followed for courses and exams such as wearing masks and physical distancing.

Anyone uncomfortable attending in-person or unable to wear a covering is encouraged to explore other course delivery options including online options from an approved independent provider.

A list of courses and exams deemed to be equivalent to the PPH’s certification is available from the Ministry of Health.

The fees for PPH courses and exams remain unchanged. Courses, which include the certification exam are $20 for individuals living or working within the region served by PPH and $40 for individuals living and working outside of the region. Anyone wishing to study at their own pace may take the certification exam for $10.

For more information about food handler training and certification and for the full schedule, visit https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/clinics-and-classes/food-handler-course/ or call 705-743-1000, ext. 240.

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Thriving While Cleansing

PTBOCanada Featured Post: Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Thriving While Cleansing

Sponsored post by Jo Anne's Place Health Foods

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Grand Opening of Downtown Restaurant At Former Hot Belly Mama's Location

Downtown Peterborough has a new upscale gastropub as The EL[P] held its grand opening on Wednesday.

El[P] owners Greg (left) and Amanda Da Silva (left) enjoying one of their several sandwiches on the menu. Amanda formerly ran a talent agency called Blake Talent Management in Toronto. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Owned by husband and wife Amanda and Greg Da Silva, the restaurant occupies the former Hot Belly Mama’s location at 378 George St. N.

The couple rented the property from Ashburnham Realty in late August then began renovations the following October last year.

The food is described as accessible yet elevated pub food according to the owners. Their slogan, “Food is Our Common Ground” is engraved on their front sign and placed on their back wall. The motto fosters a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for anyone who wants to kick back and relax after a long day.

"It's a positive space. Leave your cr*p at the door,” said Amanda. “In here in this space, let's enjoy some good conversation, good food, good drinks and have a good time."

@ptbo_canada Hitting the grand opening of @theelp2022! An upscale gastropub in the heart of downtown PTBO! #theelp #downtownptbo #ptbocanada #ptbo #food #drink ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

The couple’s passion for art, music and entertainment — as both owners previously worked in the hospitality and entertainment industry — was incorporated into the restaurant’s atmosphere. The restaurant is covered in colourful art, graffiti and murals from local artists.

Originally from Toronto, the two moved to Port Hope in 2016. The small town acts as an in-between spot for all the family and friends they have in Peterborough, Toronto, Cobourg and Port Hope.

They currently operate a sister restaurant called “The EL” in Cobourg that opened in 2016. They wanted to replicate the same success they had in Cobourg for their Peterborough gastropub.

"We didn't want to pass up an opportunity to become part of the downtown core and that community with that feeling and vibe," said Amanda. "We've really thrived in Cobourg and I think Peterborough is similar to that. Everybody supports everybody, there's no bad blood between different restaurants and that competition so that's what we wanted to do here."

Despite opening during a pandemic, the couple is optimistic about the restaurant’s success being located in Peterborough.

“In the past couple of months, we've hit the road running,” said Greg. “There's a shutdown and all that but I think we're opening at the perfect timing."

"We're risk-takers and we didn't want to look back in a few years and say, 'we wish we would have done that,'" said Amanda. "As being so resilient through Covid at that location (The EL) and pivoting the way we had to succeed, I think that also gave us the confidence to be able to do this now that we're coming out the other side."

The Da Silva’s have rented the adjacent property of the former Olde Stone Brewing Company. The space is closed off and is unknown what it will be used for.

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Electric Ale Beer Brewed From Partnership With Electric City Football Club and Bobcaygeon Brewery

Beer and sports have gone hand in hand and the Electric City Football Club (ECFC) and Bobcaygeon Brewing Company (BBC) have teamed to create “Electric Ale” announced on Wednesday.

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company has partnered with other local sports teams such as the Peterborough Petes and their lager, released on March 11 last year. Photo courtesy of Bobcaygeon Brewing Company.

“Community is incredibly important to us at the brewery and the support from the community for ECFC before they’ve played their first game made us even more excited to partner with the team,” said Richard Wood, BBC president. “We’re looking forward to cracking a cold Electric Ale while cheering on the team this summer.”

Electric Ale is a Belgian-style blonde ale with a 4.2 percent alcohol content. It is available at the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company store at 649 The Parkway and on their website beginning Friday with pre-orders available Wednesday.

“Electric Ale is locally brewed Belgian Style Blonde Ale that will quench your thirst while you’re cheering the team on,” explained Wood. “A touch of lemon and coriander on your first sip slowly fades away as into a clean, refreshing finish.”

There will be a joint launch event at Bobcaygeon Brewery to promote and sell the ale on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

ECFC staff will be on hand with merchandise and season ticket vouchers. ECFC players Zach Ellis-Hayden and Angelika Mihalopulous will be present from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a meet-and-greet with fans.

“We are excited to continue with our commitment to involving the local community in every way possible,” said Rob Jenkins, ECFC president, “Bobcaygeon was a natural fit for our ECFC beer with its local ties to the community and the fact that Richard and his team have been involved in the project from day one.”

The beer will also be available at the Y-Drive Beer Gardens and VIP tents at all ECFC home games.

“Beer gardens are an important part of the gameday experience that we are trying to create here in Peterborough,” said Jenkins, “Having our own ECFC locally brewed beer available at our matches just adds to the experience.” 

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Foodie Friday: The Pastry Peddler Incorporating Bicycles and Going From the Farmer's Market to a Bakery and Café


We talk with co-owners Deanna Bell and Colin Hall of the Pastry Peddler about starting from the Farmer's Market into a Millbrook café, being a cyclist hotspot and how bicycles became the icon for the bakery.

@ptbo_canada Check out The Pastry Peddler in Millbrook Ontario #foodie #PTBOCanada #FoodTok #PastryTok ♬ France - Paris Cafe Society

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Heart Health

PTBOCanada Featured Post:  Jo Anne's Place Health Foods: Heart Health

Sponsored post by Jo Anne's Place Health Foods

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Foodie Friday: Continuing the Family Legacy of The Loon As It Celebrates Its First-Year Anniversary


We talk with owner Leanne Russelle of The Loon about how she rebranded the family business to casual fine dining and celebrating the restaurant's first-year anniversary.


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Foodie Friday: Restaurant Owners Excited to Return to In-House Dining

With restaurants permitted to operate at half-capacity starting Monday, several entrepreneurs are eager to open up their businesses to the public.

“I am really excited to open back up and get things rolling properly again. Having the staff back full force will be great for them,” said Addison Brown, Dr J’s BBQ & Brews owner. “Being able to share a beverage or meal with others is a great feeling. I would also like to thank everyone that ordered off of us while we were closed down, we wouldn’t be here without them!”

“We're happy to be able to accommodate the kind folk of this town,” said Om Patel, The Dirty Burger Company owner. “Even though the regulations limit us to having 50 per cent capacity, we love the appreciation this community gives restaurants that they support local. The Dirty Burger Company will be open and happy to see this new year show us new light!”

“‘We are delighted to be opening back up for dine-in,” said Shae Doucet, Sam’s Place manager. “We have worked hard as a community to keep each other safe and we are more than excited to have our friends back inside as it feels like it’s time.”

“At Jesse’s, we are fortunate and want to thank our great customers that supported us while we did takeout,” said Adam Shearer, Jesse’s Tap & Grill owner. “We are looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces in the restaurant again.”

Some restaurants will continue to have only takeout and/or delivery such as The Pizza Factory and Nostimo by the Original Greek when restrictions are lifted.

PTBOCanada with Sysco Central Ontario encourages everyone to support our local restaurants with any option each business has to offer.


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