Tastely Box Launches Peterborough's First Rolled Ice Cream

Peterborough can enjoy a new treat as Tastely Box launched the sale of their newest creamy confection, rolled ice cream on Saturday.

Customers can also get slab-style ice cream as well as rolled during the candy shop’s new launch. Photo courtesy of Tastely Box.

The dessert originated in Thailand as street food in 2009. It is made by pouring a milk and cream mixture over a cold stainless steel pan that freezes it into ice cream. A choice of sauces, mix-ins and toppings are added to the mixture so customers can customize their ice cream. After being slathered and chopped, it is scraped into rolls and served in a cup.

“We like to focus on international options but make a twist on them,” explained Polly Laneville, Tastely Box co-owner. “We decided to do rolled ice cream because we knew that it was something fun to bring to Peterborough and the community plus it tastes really awesome.”

Customers can choose from a vanilla or chocolate base and have it rolled or in a slab. They can choose up to two sauces that include salted caramel, chocolate, cookie butter, cotton candy and bubblegum. A mix-in and topping also get added into the mix for a variety of combinations.

Laneville says that her store has incorporated freeze-dried candy into her rolled ice cream as an available option for toppings. It is something that she’s never seen other places do outside of freeze-dried strawberries. This is her own way of incorporating her shop’s uniqueness and twists into her products.

“We're trying to focus on doing freeze-dried Skittles, we have freeze-dried Milk Duds, freeze-dried caramel and different things like that just to make it a little bit more fun and crunchy,” said Laneville.

Customers can have a selection of ice cream, sauces, mix-ins and toppings to fully customize their ice cream. Photo by David Tuan bui.

The store also launched their Pick’N’Mix in addition to their rolled ice cream. Customers can fill a tub to their heart’s content with gummies, marshmellows and other candies. There were 19 different selections to choose from on the day’s launch.

Some candy included in the Pick’N’Mix were gummy green apples, shrimp marhsmellows and sour keys. Photo by David Tuan bui.

Tastely Box is located at 651 Chamberlain St., Unit 1 and is open from Tuesday to Friday at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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Lang Pioneer Village Hosting Zero-Waste Feast on the Farm Event For May 28 and 29

Lang Pioneer Village is selected to host the Feast On the Farm event, a two-day zero-waste fundraiser event for May 28 and 29 announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the PKED.

The event is a series that includes a gastronomic food-loving experience on the 28th followed by a full day of interactive sessions for industry professionals only on the second day.

The Culinary Tourism Alliance is hosting the event in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

The consumer day event on May 28 brings together Chef Brad Watt of Publican House Brewery and Pub, Chef Tyler Scott from Rare Escape, and Chef Lisa Dixon, owner of Black Honey Cafe. Their curated dishes will be paired with local spirits by Persian Empire, craft beer by Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario Certified wines.

“We’re excited to host such an inspired event,” says Joe Rees, director of tourism at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED). “Feast On the Farm is a great opportunity for visitors to savour a menu that reflects the rich agricultural history of our region in a way that is genuinely in line with our sustainable tourism development goals.”

Every consumer day ticket supports recovery in the culinary tourism industry and includes a subsidy for industry professionals to attend the Feast On the Farm Industry Day the following day.

“Our Feast On program acts as the conduit to connect industry professionals with others in our network who are truly creating change in Ontario's food and drink space,” said Billy Alexander, director of programs for the Culinary Tourism Alliance. “Industry day is about knowledge sharing, supporting each other, and working together toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Tickets and details for the Feast On the Farm: A Taste of Peterborough & the Kawarthas are available online.

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Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Launches Second Community Brew To Benefit Otonabee Conservation

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and McThirsty’s Pint have launched the second edition of their ‘Community Brew’ collaboration series called “Dan’s Kolsch” to support Otonabee Conservation and the Jackson Creek Trail announced on Friday.

Daniel Longfield, McThirsty’s bartender; Richard Wood, BOBCAYGEON Brewery president and Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO enjoying “Dan’s Kolsch” as the second installment of the Community Brew collaboration series. a raspberry gose was the first incarnation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The beer is a Kolsch or lagered ale, brewed in collaboration with McThirsty’s bartender Daniel Longfield.

Bobcaygeon Brewery describes the beer as a golden yellow, clean and crisp lager with a mild bitterness.

One dollar for each pint sold and 50 cents from every can is being donated to Otonabee Conservation.

“We are honoured to be the recipient of donations from Bobcaygeon Brewery’s Community Brew,” states Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “Funds will be directed to the beloved Jackson Creek Trail, which continues to provide so many residents with a place to rejuvenate, exercise, and enjoy nature in the heart of Peterborough.”

The new beer is publicly available this Saturday at Bobcaygeon Brewing Company to try both on tap and for purchase to go. Starting Monday, the beer is available at McThirsty’s Pint at 166 Charlotte St. and the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Taproom at 649 The Parkway.

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Pizza Hut Fundraising For 'Purple Day' For Epilepsy Awareness Month; Proceeds Towards Peterborough Epilepsy

Pizza Hut’s colours are changing from red for ‘Purple Day’ on Epilepsy Awareness Month to fundraise for Epilepsy Peterborough on Sunday.

Miranda Zeppieri (left) with Marc Hartenberg, Pizza Hut co-owner (right) prepping for Purple Day. Photo courtesy of Epilepsy Peterborough.

Four Pizza Hut locations from the Peterborough and surrounding area are participating where 10 per cent of all sales go towards supporting those in the community who are diagnosed with epilepsy.

The following are the participating locations:

• 901 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough

• 705 George St. N., Peterborough

• 132 Queen St., Lakefield

• 1 Commerce Rd., Lindsay

Miranda Zeppieri and her brother Michael were diagnosed with epilepsy at six years old and five weeks old respectively. Initiatives like these have Miranda grateful that they exist and create awareness.

“We’re really just emphasizing getting awareness out there about those like myself and my brother who live with it,” she explained. “Yes, it brings its challenges but it’s something that is a part of everyday life and how it affects it is vastly different based on an individual basis.”

Guests are encouraged to wear purple on that day, eat pizza and enjoy the company of the staff.

Epilepsy Peterborough representatives will be on site to provide information for anyone who wishes to learn more about epilepsy and/or the services they offer.

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Trent's 20th Anniversary of Seasoned Spoon Celebrated With Fundraiser Event On March 18

Trent University’s café ‘Seasoned Spoon’ is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an event featuring live music, activities, raffles and food to raise money for a cargo trike on March 18.

The Seasoned Spoon’s grand opening was on Feb 25, 2003 in the Cat's Ass Pub in Otonabee College before being moved to Otonabee College. Photo courtey of Trent University.

The event is at the Seasoned Spoon and runs from 5 p.m. to p.m. with tickets at $10. Children’s admission is free.

The trike will aid Trent Vegetable Gardens in making deliveries and will cost anywhere from $2,750 and upwards to purchase.

The Seasoned Spoon's first opened on Feb. 25, 2003, at Otonabee College. It relocated to the former Champlain Junior Common Room in the spring of 2003 and officially opened in that space on Nov. 18 of the same year.

In 2006, the eatery partnered with the Trent Vegetable Gardens, a volunteer-run group that provides the majority of the café’s produce. The café relocated again in 2009 to the downstairs of the Champlain Senior Common Room.

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Photos: Darling Insurance Hosts Sixth Annual Chili Challenge To Benefit The Nourish Project

Darling Insurance came to defend its title as they hosted the sixth annual Chili Challenge to benefit The Nourish Project at The Social Pub on Friday afternoon.

Brad Wood (left) and David Tuan Bui (right) winning the Pepto Bismol Chili Challenge trophy. The winning recipe was a maple bacon chili. Photo courtesy of Darling Insurance.

All subsequent photos by Samantha Bianco.

Six teams came and brought their own recipes to earn the ‘Chili Challenge’ title. The Social Pub, Darling Insurance, Team VanRahan, Peterborough Business + Social Club, Peterborough Humane Society and PTBOCanada were this year’s participants.

The public was invited and welcomed to try the chili flight, donate to the charity and voted for their top three teams.

The following are the standings of the competition:

1. PTBOCanada - 123 points

2. Team VanRahan - 90 points

3. Darling Insurance - 58 points

4. Peterborough Business + Social Club - 41 points

5. Peterborough Humane Society - 39 points

6. The Social Pub - 33 points

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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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