Episode 8: Hamilton

1. Donut Monster

Visit these doughnut and coffee shops (in Hamilton and Toronto) to indulge in classic and uniquely flavoured yeast-risen delights — think Powdered Concord Grape or Strawberry Jam & Peanut Butter Iced — or pick up their confections in other cafés in Hamilton and around the area.

2. Humble Bee

Dedicated to breeding bees for urban (and rural) environments, Humble Bee has apiaries all over, including the roofs featured in our second and third stops of this episode — the Cotton Factory (a converted industrial loft that’s home to a creative community) and the Mustard Seed. They also ship queen bees across Canada and offer beekeeping lessons.

3. The Mustard Seed

Passionate about local roots, the Mustard Seed promotes regional producers by carrying a wide range of goods from Hamilton and the surrounding area. At this member-owned co-operative, you can do a full grocery shop, finding everything from fresh produce, dairy and meats to preserves and bulk dry ingredients.

4. Murray’s Farm & Butcher Shoppe

This farm-owned butcher shop sells pasture-raised eggs and heritage pork, grass-fed beef and free-run chicken. You’ll also find fresh Guernsey milk, artisanal yogurt and butter, plus fresh vegetables from the farm.

5. Collective Arts Brewing

Year-round classics and seasonal brews are just part of what Collective Arts has to offer — it distills gins now too. Check out the collection, and you’ll find the labels all feature local artists’ work. Also, stay tuned for the many festivals the brewery is involved with, including hosting the Liquid Art Festival.

Discover further Hamilton-area gems — from beers to wines — worth exploring.

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Fresh Vegetables with Butternut Squash Dip

A spectacular platter can be prepared for a crowd by simply arranging fresh, crunchy seasonal vegetables in clusters alongside seasonal dips like this one.

Squash with Ricotta, Honeycomb & Pears

Make your own seasonal version a Food & Drink classic with grilled squash, honeycomb and fresh pears.

Napa Cabbage Slaw with Kimchi & Apple

Get creative by tossing shredded napa cabbage with finely chopped kimchi and sliced apple, then taste and season. Consider garnishes of sesame seeds and roasted peanuts.

Grilled Pork Rib Chops & Barbecued Striploins

Asado (from Argentina) and braai (South Africa) are both traditional events in which a variety of grilled meats are served to a big crowd. Essentially, this is the type of meal Devan and Trevor have prepared at Collective Arts by grilling up juicy pork rib chops, steaks and flavoured sausages.

Sour Beer & Gin Collins

Experiment with the delicious combo of beer and gin in a cocktail, creating a tasty twist with seasonal beer and honey syrup (instead of simple syrup).