Agave by Imperial Claims First Top Hot Chocolatier Title of DBIA's Inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest

Agave by Imperial has been crowned the first-ever Top Hot Chocolatier after 10 days of fan voting during the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest competition announced on Wednesday.

Agave by Imperial opened back in early December last year owned by cousins and partners Manesh Chowdry and Jim Grover who also own The Imperial Tandoor on 554 Lansdowne St. W. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

The winning entry from Agave was their ‘Hot Churro-late’ consisting of Mexican hot chocolate made with cocoa and dark chocolate. It was served with two cinnamon and sugar-topped churros.

“We are so grateful to have won Top Hot Chocolatier with our authentic Mexican entry,” said Jennifer Gutierrez, Agave chef. “Chef Pablo Olvera and I worked on the recipe together and we are really proud of the recipe. In Mexico, hot chocolate is part of our culture, it's part of our everyday life. We love that this festival allowed us to bring a bit of Mexico to Peterborough.”

Hot Churro-late bested 13 other businesses with 14 other entries to claim the title. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

Agave has received a hot chocolate-themed trophy and bragging rights for the year as a reward for their efforts.

Milk + Tea was the runner-up with their Bubble Pudding Chocolate followed by The Speak Easy Café’s Breakfast of Chocolate.

The first annual Ptbo Hot Chocolate Fest featured 15 over-the-top hot chocolate creations, hand-crafted by downtown chocolatiers, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Cocoa creations were available to the public for both dine-in and takeout.

The inaugural festival ran from Feb. 17 - 26 where chocolate lovers voted online for their favourite creations by 14 businesses totalling 15 entries.  There were more than 1,000 votes cast during the 10 days of competition.

“Over the span of just 10 days our Hot Chocolate Trail map surpassed 11k views,” said Hillary Flood, DBIA communications and marketing manager.” The success of our very first Ptbo Hot Chocolate Fest lies heavily on the imagination and passion of our Hot Chocolatiers.”

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‘Poutine Feast’ Coming to Downtown Peterborough Morrow Park This May

Canada’s largest touring poutine festival ‘Poutine Feast’ is making a stop at Morrow Park from May 4 to 7.

Photo courtesy of Poutine Feast, Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Poutine Feast, Facebook.

The festival is an assortment of Ontario's finest Poutine Vendors with a lineup of 20 communities on their tour, taking place across the province from the end of April to the end of September.

Peterborough’s Morrow Park is slated in as the festival’s second stop.

“Get ready to indulge in your favourite cheesy, gravy-covered dish at our upcoming events. We'll be bringing the best poutine vendors from across the province together in one place for an unforgettable culinary experience,” the event’s Facebook page reads.

More information on dates, locations, and participating vendors is set to be released soon.

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Peterborough DBIA Looking to Crown Top Hot Chocolatier During Inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest Running Feb. 17 - 26

The quest to become the ‘Top Hot Chocolatier’ is on as Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (PTBO DBIA) is hosting their inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest while featuring 15 over-the-top creations announced on Monday morning.

18-month-old Jasmine Stoner is enjoying a raspberry white hot chocolate following the announcement of the Peterborough DBIA inaugural Hot Chocolate Fest taking place from Feb. 17 - 26. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The festival takes place from Feb. 17 - 26 where residents can vote online for their favourite hot chocolate creations by 14 businesses. Local menus throughout downtown feature the drinks on their menus to determine Top Hot Chocolatier. The winner earns bragging rights for the year and a hot chocolate-themed trophy.

PTBO DBIA has created a ‘Hot Chocolate Trail Map’ to let voters plan out their own hot chocolate crawl to try all 15 entries.

“We are proud to be working alongside our partners at the DBIA to support the new Hot Chocolate Fest,” said Joe Rees, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development director of tourism. “This initiative supports local restaurants and cafes during a traditionally slower period in the winter season and will encourage increased visitation and spending in the downtown.”

Entries include classically flavoured hot chocolates, to more outrageously delicious creations with some containing alcoholic chocolate beverages. Vegan and gluten-free entries are also included in the event.

A pop-up stand giving away free hot chocolate is being set up at the Peterborough Square front courtyard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We want folks to vote to show their love and support for those local culinary creators and hopefully, by the end of ten days, we'll have a definitive answer as to who the top hot chocolatier is in Downtown Peterborough,” said Hilary Flood, PTBO DBIA communications and marketing manager.

Several drinks were demoed at the announcement with creations from Black Honey and Canoe Co. Café. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The following are the 15 entries from the 14 businesses:

• Black Honey (Matcha White Hot Chocolate)

  A decadent white hot chocolate drink infused with matcha green tea powder and toasted marshmallows.

• Black Honey (Mayan HOT Chocolate)

  This luxurious vegan hot chocolate creation infused with cayenne pepper and cinnamon is dressed to impress with a delicious, whipped cream topping, chili pepper and cocoa dust. This spicy hot chocolate is paired with spiced chocolate cookie-perfect for dipping. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.

• Naked Chocolate (Couverture Hot Chocolate)

  Celebrating a menagerie of high-quality couverture chocolate blends from around the world. Naked Chocolate is brewing up a lusciously thick hot chocolate.

• KitCoffee (Cinnamon Hot Chocolate)

  Homemade hot chocolate with house-made cinnamon syrup, whipped cream topping and sprinkled with Cocoa and cinnamon hearts.

• Dreams Café (Toasty Charms Hot Chocolate)

  Indulge in some nostalgia with this homemade hot chocolate, flavoured with toasted marshmallow syrup, whipped cream, marshmallow fluff and some lucky charms hit with the blow torch. 

• Turnbull Café (Fudge Brownie Raspberry Hot Cocoa)

  A delicious blend of rich dark chocolate infused with raspberries, topped with whipped cream and layered with chunks of espresso fudge brownie and fresh raspberries. It’s delicately drizzled in a blanket of pure chocolate sauce under a halo of cocoa snow.

• Champs Bar and Grill (“Hot” Chocolate Wings)

  Chef Jessie has put a unique and delicious spin on the classic Hot Chocolate using Champs’ signature, nostalgic wings for the adventurous hot chocolatier. Tossed in their infamous hot honey sauce and drizzled with a hearty layer of rich dark chocolate.

• Nateure’s Plate (S'more Martini, 19+)

  This extraordinary s'mores-inspired adult chocolate martini with Creme de Cocoa, Kahlua and Vodka. Featuring vegan vanilla hot chocolate, topped with a house-made marshmallow whip and Biscoff graham crumble.

• Agave by Imperial (Hot Churro-late)

  Warm up with this thick and creamy authentic Mexican hot chocolate made with cocoa and dark chocolate. Served with two cinnamon and sugar-topped churros made-to-order and perfect for dipping.

• Speak Easy Café (Breakfast of Chocolate)

  Speak Easy features a salted caramel hot chocolate with a chocolate and cookie rim, topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, candied chocolate bacon and a white chocolate sunny egg.

• The Black Horse Pub (Flanders Rum Cha Cha, 19+)

  Rich house-made hot chocolate with an ounce of Flanders rum chata topped with whipped cream and homemade toasted marshmallows infused with even more rum chata for good measure. Served with graham crackers dipped in chocolate.

• Milk + Tea (Bubble Pudding Chocolate)

  A creamy slush chocolate bubble tea with chewy tapioca, caramel pudding, topped with cream, Oreo bits and drizzled in caramel. Served with an egg bubble waffle slice.

• Dr. J’s (Amaretto and Chocolate Orange Hot-tail, 19+)

  This adult beverage features a luxurious house-made hot chocolate alongside Laura Secord chocolate vodka, Grand Marnier, French orange liqueur & Amaretto. Topped with toasted marshmallows and chocolate drizzle. Served with an almond wafer cookie for dipping.

• Canoe Co. Café (Raspberry White Chocolate)

  Dive into this beautiful white raspberry hot chocolate. Topped with whipped cream, raspberries and sprinkles. Served with steamed milk (of your choice) with lactose-free and vegan options available. Can be served hot or iced.

• Tragically Dipped Donut (Maple Mallow Hot Chocolate)

  Creamy from scratch hot chocolate house made with charred maple marshmallows freshly toasted to order.

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Couple Serving Up Schnitzel and Shawarma In Peterborough's West End

Husband and wife Siddiqullah Ronnie and Mansura Shikder are serving Peterborough a unique menu including shawarma and their signature schnitzel at their restaurant Casper in Peterborough’s west end.

Ronnie serving a chicken schnitzel plate as one of five signature schitzels that include veal, turkey, pork, chicken and croque schnitzel. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Located at 901 Lansdowne St. W., Casper also serves Indian food, pasta, burgers, sandwiches and salads on their regular menu. They opened last summer with all their food made in-house and are his own recipes.

“It's a multicultural city here,” explained Ronnie. “I don't want anyone to walk into my restaurant and go out buying nothing.”  

availible sides with the schnitzel are basmati rice, onion rings, french fries or mashed potato. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

He was involved in The Schnitzel House in the same location in a partnership but reopened as Casper as a solo entrepreneur. He was not in Peterborough during its operation.

Ronnie wanted to specialize in schnitzel because it was a popular dish in the Middle East that he enjoyed and he wanted to add something new to an already diverse food market in Peterborough.

“Schnitzel, there’s not too much (in Peterborough),” he explained. “You can find everything like shawarma, burgers and pizza everywhere but schnitzel but maybe once in a while.”

The couple opened the business because they wanted to be their own bosses, settle down in Peterborough and spend more time together as a family.

“It was our dream to give our own business somewhere in Canada so that we can both work together in the same place and spend more time,” explained Shikder.

Ronnie (left) and Shikder (right) have two children together and moved to Peterborough less than a year ago. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Ronnie started his professional cooking career in his home country of Kuwait in 1999. He worked in a small but popular restaurant chain throughout the Middle East and Africa called Casper & Gambini as a kitchen staff and eventually a kitchen manager/head chef. His restaurant is named after the restaurant as Ronnie considers it a lucky name.

Ronnie came to Canada in 2014 and worked at Montana's BBQ & Bar in Richmond Hill. He became a kitchen manager and head chef during his eight-year tenure with the restaurant prior to opening Casper in Peterborough.

His years of experience in the culinary world gave him the confidence and knowledge to open Casper.

“There is no compromise on the quality of food,” said Ronnie. “That's what I learned from Casper and Gambini. Always quality, quality, quality.”

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Peterborough City and County Celebrates 30 Years of Nourishing Students Through Food for Kids Program

St. John’s Catholic Elementary School staff and students and a number of local school boards celebrated 30 years of Student Nutrition Programs in Peterborough City and County.

photo by felicia massey.

Whether it’s rushed mornings, long bus rides or not having access to food at home, some students arrive at school hungry. It is through non-profit organizations and community partnerships that students at 51 local elementary and high schools are able to start the school day with a nutritious meal.

Thirty years ago in 1992-93, a local service club approached two local schools in downtown Peterborough with the hopes of starting a breakfast program under the guidance of Peterborough Public Health’s nutrition and community development expertise.

The name ‘Food for Kids’ was chosen for the program after the number of participating schools grew to 12 in 1997. While continuing to advocate for and support a healthy, vital student nutrition program, the Food for Kids steering committee grew to include community members from various organizations/sectors outside the local school boards. Now, 96 per cent of local, publicly funded schools offer nutrition programs.

“The morning meal at our school is so much more than nourishing food. It’s a valuable part of school life,” says St. John’s principal Jennifer Wright. “It’s a warm, inviting, social part of the school day, where positive relationships and a sense of belonging are nurtured.”

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

Volunteers through the Food for Kids programs provide meals which include fresh produce, protein foods and whole grains in a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Locally, these program models vary between a grab and go system (food is set out in a central location on a table/cart for students to grab on their way to class), sit and serve (food is prepared and served in a room where students can sit and eat together) and a bin in the classroom (food is packed ahead of time and delivered to each classroom).

According to a Peterborough and County Student Nutrition Program annual report from 2021-22, these programs include 603 staff and volunteers who contribute 890 volunteer hours a week to ensuring approximately 19,000 students get a proper meal before school. These volunteers prepare and serve the meals, as well as wash dishes and shop for groceries.

Those interested in volunteering or donating can contact a local school or visit the Food for Kids website.

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Haven Brewing Company Builds Giant Beer Can In Honour Of 'Beer Can Appreciation Day'

The first beer can was developed on Jan. 24, 1935 and Haven Brewing Company honoured the occasion with a giant beer can standing in front of their Rye Street business.

Haven Brewing Company co-owners and brothers Andrew (left) and Nathan Anker (right) took over the the former Smithhavens Brewing Company Apr. 9, 2020 but bought the company in October 2019. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

“It was idea that we had probably a year ago,” said Nathan Anker, Haven Brewing co-owner. “We realized that January 24 is ‘Beer Can Appreciation Day.’ The biggest part of the idea was we needed something out by the road to make it clear that we're here.”

The can is a repurposed water silo from one of their farmers that had gotten damaged and could no longer be used.

“It froze and cracked so it wasn't really holding water anymore,” explained Nathan. “We got that from him thankfully and they we took it to an auto shop to get it wrapped like you would a car, we did up a design to make it as much like a beer can as much as possible. It's nice to see ideas coming together after a couple of years.”

The process took two weeks for it to be developed once the design and plans were completed. Anker was astonished and impressed with the turnout of the giant beer can when he and his brother went to pick it up.

“It's just awesome, it turned out perfectly, it's exactly the right colouring, it looks like a beer can and you know exactly what it is supposed to be,” said Nathan.

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Hometown PTBO: Peter and Anna Bouzinelos Closing the Pizza Factory After 43 Years of Service

This week on Hometown PTBO, Samantha Bianco talks with Peter and Anna Bouzinelos of the Pizza Factory, reliving their 43 years of service, how the family started and thanking Peterborough for their patronage as they are closing their doors on Jan. 29.

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New Pig's Ear Tavern Owners Adamant To "Keep What Made It Special" For Summer Reopening

Following Monday’s announcement of Ashley Holmes and Steve Robertson becoming the new owners of the Pig’s Ear Tavern, they were resolved to ‘keep what made it special’ for its summer opening.

Robertson was a patron of the Pig’s Ear during his student tenure at Trent University while Holmes worked in the tavern for seven years. Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Popular weekly events included Karaoinke, Pingo, open mic and trivia nights that are being revived as one of many ways to retain the same beloved atmosphere. The logo of a pig’s ear is also retained.

"The spirit of the bar, the look and the feel, bringing back the events that were cherished by the patrons, the community and at the same time, do what we can to improve things that need to be improved,” said Robertson.

While former owner John Punter is in retirement and living in Mexico with his wife Lylie, both Holmes and Robertson say he will remain involved with the tavern’s revival as part of his blessing of its reopening and to see in flourish in the next chapter.

“Having John and Lylie support us is really great to help with the vision and the community wants it to be the same so we're going to try to keep it the same for them,” said Holmes. “We just get to help bring it back to life.”

John will serve as an advisor for the tavern and possible arrangements for him to occasionally run events digitally or if convenient, in person.

While several elements will remain the same, the duo says it’s impossible to fully turn back the clock to its pre-pandemic state. Some changes to be made are mild cosmetic alterations and potentially providing more washroom space.

“We need to work with the city to make sure that everything we have to put in place is within compliance with whatever the standards are today,” explained Robertson. “Once we've done the basic function heating and cooling, fixing up some of the aesthetics, then it's more a matter of tables of chairs because they were all auctioned off. We need to get new signage and all the basic components to opening a tavern from an empty canvas.”

While some of the auctioned items have remained in Peterborough, the tavern is happy to put them back on display. There is no harm if Holmes and Robertson have to start over.

“If people want to keep the stuff that they purchased, we're more than happy to replace the things and create a new generation of memorabilia,” explained Holmes.

Liquor licenses and obtaining various permits from the City are reasons for the tavern projected to be open later rather than sooner.

“We don't want to rush it,” said Holmes. “It's already been closed. We don't want to have to close it again so we want to do everything we can do right now.”

Since the initial announcement, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for the tavern’s return but it has set a high standard for the new entrepreneurs to uphold the beloved reputation.

“There's a lot of pressure on us to do it right,” explained Robertson. “There's very high expectations that we've got generations of people who have reached out who are very keen to come back for that opening week and celebrate but we've got some big shoes to fill so let's hope we do it right.”

According to the official Pig’s Ear website, the tavern is projected to open this summer.

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Pig's Ear Tavern To Be Reopened This Summer With New Owners

After being closed since 2017, the historic and iconic Pig’s Ear Tavern is scheduled to reopen this summer by Trent alumni Ashley Holmes and Steve Robertson.

The Pig’s Ear operated for 152 years and oped in 1865 as the St. Maurice Saloon. Photo courtesy of Trent University Alumni Association.

According to the official Pig’s Ear website, the tavern is opening this summer.

Robertson and Holmes with two other investors/friends received keys to the property on Friday according to the Trent University Alumni Association (TUAA).

The Pig’s Ear Tavern closed on April 22, 2017 as owners John and Lylie Punter sold the building following their retirement. The couple has endorsed the revival of the tavern as stated in the TUAA publication.

The famed tavern first opened its doors as the St. Maurice Saloon two years before Confederation. It was renowned as a popular University hangout, a local music hub and hosting trademark weekly events. It included Karaoinke, Pingo, open mic and trivia nights.

“The loss of The Pig’s Ear was more than losing a bar,” said Steve. “To so many people, it was a part of their fondest memories. Dating back over 150 years, the city also lost a piece of history. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring back this long-cherished establishment, where people can once again meet to talk, laugh, sing and form new memories over a tray of beer!” 

The pair want to offer experiences of the pub prior to the pandemic in Trent and Peterborough. 

“The timing for re-opening the Pig’s Ear feels right,” explained Ashley. “Who knows if the bar would have been able to survive the last three years. Taking trays to go might not have worked out. It’s really exciting that we get to be a part of its history.” 

More to come this week.

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New Restaurant Agave By Imperial Serving Fine Mexican Cuisine In Downtown Peterborough

Margaritas, empanadas, chilaquiles and more are on tap at one of downtown Peterborough’s new restaurants, Agave By Imperial that opened in early December.

(from left to right) Jennifer Guiterrec, chef; Manesh Chowdry, co-owner; Juan Pablo Olvera, chef and Javier Reyes, prep cook. The restaurant’s logo is a yellow outlined pineapple and tequila bottle on a black background. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It is owned by cousins and partners Manesh Chowdry and Jim Grover who also own The Imperial Tandoor on 554 Lansdowne St. W. Agave By Imperial is located at 376 George St. N., at the spot formerly occupied by The Fusion Bowl — that was also owned by Chowdry and Grover — next to The EL[P] in downtown Peterborough.

Chowdry opted for a Mexican restaurant since he already had a successful Indian restaurant, didn’t want to compete with himself and had a personal liking to Mexican food. He added that he met with Mexican chefs and believed they could add a level of authenticity to Mexican cuisine in Peterborough.

“Same as Indian food, Mexican food is full of flavour and it's loved by many,” said Chowdry. “One of my favourite cuisines is Mexican other than Indian. We came across these wonderful chefs and we thought it could be a really good team to work together and bring something special to downtown.”

Chowdry also noted that while Peterborough is already diverse in the restaurant business, it doesn’t hurt to add even more.

“By bringing diverse restaurants, I feel this will give people enough to go out in Peterborough and explore different things,” he explained. “Peterborough has a lot to offer, it's just that people need to go out and see what things are being offered.”

Classic Mexican staples served at Agave are Quesadillas, nachos and tacos but also include upscale items on their menu. Dishes include grilled shrimp, grilled chorizo, watermelon cevhice, basa and more.

The restaurant offers two happy hour times from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. and again from 9 p.m. to close. It offers $8 margaritas, tequila and $5 classic tacos.

“It's all about the experience,” explained Chowdry. “We want them to take the experience and always think about the next time they come back. Of course there is taste, flavour and great drinks but it's all about the moments you enjoy here with our team and we hope we can succeed at the same level as (The Imperial) Tandoor and here as well.”

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