Hey Reader! I hope you're having a wonderful summer! One thing we've quickly learned about life in Muskoka is that you're never far from a deer. We see them almost every day wandering through the property, and the girls still get just as excited every time we spot one. This week's photo was taken after one of our evening walks, and moments like these are becoming some of my favourite parts of the summer. It also got me thinking about something that's been on my mind lately: When life is full,...
10 days ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! It's been a bit of a whirlwind since arriving in Muskoka. I hit the ground running with a few big parties, a beautiful dinner, and plenty of long days in the kitchen. It's busy, but I genuinely love cooking up here. Every week brings a new menu, fresh ingredients, and the chance to cook for some pretty great people. The biggest bonus? My whole family spends the summer up here too. On my days off, I get to hang out with Jody, Juniper, and Frankie, jump in the lake, and soak up what...
18 days ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader! What a week. It feels like I just unpacked my suitcase from France, only to turn around and pack it all over again this time for two months in Muskoka. Along with my clothes came my knives, baking gear, a few favourite pans... and somehow my entire kitchen. I'm incredibly grateful to spend my summers here working as a private chef. It's one of my favourite places in the world, and the best part is that my wife and girls get to spend the summer here with me. That makes the long...
25 days ago • 8 min read
Hey Reader! Originally, this week's newsletter was going to be all about my favourite bakeries in Paris. The truth is... I'm still processing the trip. Between the incredible bakeries, the time spent at Moulins Foricher, and everything I learned from Alexandre Laumain and the team, there's simply too much to squeeze into one email. I want to do it justice, so I'll save my favourite bakery, café, and food recommendations for next week once I've had a chance to sort through my photos and gather...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! I'm writing this from Moulins Foricher in France after what feels like a whirlwind couple of days. This trip has been in partnership with The Gourmet Vacation to lead a bakery and food tour through Paris and a masterclass at the mill. We visited some of my favourite bakeries, pastry shops, markets, and restaurants, and ate an amount of butter that probably shouldn't be discussed publicly. We also had the incredibly talented William Torrillo join us to document the journey. William...
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! By the time you're reading this (unless you're one of the very early birds), I'll be somewhere in Paris eating pastries and drinking coffee. It's hard to believe France is already here. It feels like yesterday we were talking about summer plans, and now June has arrived, the weather is beautiful, and I've got a long list of bakeries to visit. Next week I'll share some of my favourite bakeries, meals, and discoveries from the trip, along with a few places that are worth adding to...
about 2 months ago • 6 min read
Hey Reader! We just got home from an amazing few days in Victoria, and I'm still working my way through all the bakery photos, videos, and recommendations. A huge thank you to everyone who sent suggestions before the trip. We ate very, very well. This weekend is especially exciting because Frankie turns 5! 🎉 It feels like yesterday she was running around the bakery in diapers, and now she's somehow old enough to have strong opinions on pastries and birthday cake flavours. And next week I'm...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader! Tomorrow morning (by the time you read this), I'm heading to Victoria with the family as part of a partnership with Porter Airlines to highlight some of the city's best bakeries, restaurants, and food spots. If you've got a favourite bakery, coffee shop, restaurant, or hidden gem in Victoria, hit reply and let me know. I always love hearing local recommendations before a trip. I also cooked some beautiful spot prawns at work today, which feels like a fitting way to kick off a West...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! May 24 long weekend is already. Honestly, I still call it “May 24” way more than Victoria Day 😂 It always feels like the unofficial start of summer here. Cottage weekends, camping, finally getting outside again, planting the garden, and hopefully some consistently nice weather. We’ve got a small Niagara getaway planned this weekend, and I’m hoping to spend a lot of time outside with the girls, get the bikes out, relax a little, and just enjoy the slower pace for a couple of days....
2 months ago • 4 min read