This is a story about food, culture, music, love, finding your people and passions, and following your dreams no matter what. Ashley McKay and Aldo Camarena are two of the most inspiring chefs and people I’ve ever met.

I interviewed them from afar for my chef series ‘At The Pass’ during the pandemic and have wanted to sit down with them in person to hear more ever since. I’m honoured and thrilled to have them as my first guests for Episode 1 of my new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST. This exhilarating tale about their culinary journey extends beyond the plate. Filmed on the second last day of their XOLO pop-up at Standard Time on Geary, the wildly accomplished couple share their experiences working in some of the city’s top restaurants, launching one of the most exhilarating pop-ups, adding DJing to the mix, and other stories, resulting in a captivating, mouth-watering, (we almost short-circuit the mics!) and heartfelt interview that delves deep into art, history, culture, ingredients, local farmers and producers, with lots of great vinyl along the way.

And if that’s not enough, they share an EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT! Psst. You heard it here if you weren’t at Standard Time for their last night. SOO EXCITED!!

• Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants

TR Pro Tip: Like and subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, check out the website and follow on socials (all links below) because you’re not going to believe what’s coming next…

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

SPONSOR: One of the city's best places for coffee and baked goods, Contra Cafe at Dupont & Shaw (1028 Shaw St.).

Want to advertise on an upcoming episode? Visit https://bit.ly/AdvertisewithTR for details.

By Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants

Links to everything else

Produced by Chris Garbutt, VQC Media - info@vqcmedia.me

Listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED, featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips and the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less. p.s. While some items may appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported here exclusively for the first time. TR Pro Tip: Like and subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST and follow on Instagram because you’re not going to believe what’s coming next…👀🔥 NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS. By Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants Recorded December 28, 2024. Website - https://bit.ly/TRTorontoRestaurants OPEN/CLOSED - https://bit.ly/TROpenClosed Links to everything else - https://lnk.bio/TorontoRestaurants Produced by Chris Garbutt, VQC Media - info@vqcmedia.me

THIS JUST IN: A new omakase destination just arrived - and it’s NOT downtown. Burlesque in Greektown? And there’s cake? Speaking of dessert, get in on the latest spot for tiramisu and other Italian must-haves. Hot tip: This Mexican item is about to take over your fyp. (Hint: It’s NOT tacos.) And when are these big steakhouses set to launch?

Listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED, featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips and the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less. p.s. While some items may appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported here exclusively for the first time.

TR Pro Tip: Like and subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST and follow on Instagram because you’re not going to believe what’s coming next…👀🔥

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

By Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants

Recorded December 28, 2024.

Website - https://bit.ly/TRTorontoRestaurants

OPEN/CLOSED - https://bit.ly/TROpenClosed Links to everything else - https://lnk.bio/TorontoRestaurants

Produced by Chris Garbutt, VQC Media - info@vqcmedia.me

You’re not going to believe what’s taking over a former food hall, downtown hotels ditch their restaurants to make way for new ventures and a historic one gets an unexpected addition, and an exhilarating dining destination lands at Queen and Dovercourt.

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

Recorded December 21, 2024.

Hosted by Stephanie Dickison.

Website - https://bit.ly/TRTorontoRestaurants

OPEN/CLOSED - https://bit.ly/TROpenClosed

Links to everything else - https://lnk.bio/TorontoRestaurants

Produced by Chris Garbutt, VQC Media - info@vqcmedia.me

In this edition: Dundas West hotspot on the approach, Toronto destinations heading south of the border, DJs and dancing near King & Sherbourne, the loss of another west end watering hole, and breaking news about an Ossington stalwart.

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

Recorded December 13, 2024.

Hosted by Stephanie Dickison. Produced by Chris Garbutt.

Website - https://bit.ly/TRTorontoRestaurants

OPEN/CLOSED - https://bit.ly/TROpenClosed

Links to everything else - https://lnk.bio/TorontoRestaurants

Produced by VQC Media - info@vqcmedia.me

I've never seen anything like it. In 15+ years of diligently covering the restaurant scene in Toronto/GTA, it's never been more frenzied - endless cycle of breaking news upon breaking news. Just as I begin writing about one item, seven more have occurred.

My OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings (virtual/brick-and-mortar/pop-ups/all the things),closures, and food/drink news Toronto and the GTA. Yep, bigger and better than any other outlet.

But I get it. You’re busy, on-the-go. Who has time to read these days? I’ve got a quick fix for that. Introducing THE TIP OFF, a weekly rundown featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips on incoming trends, and roundup of the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen or heard it before.

While some items will appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported here exclusively for the first time. You don't want to miss it. Subscribe now to get in on the action.

The inaugural edition of The Tip Off starts off with a bang: The influx of Ossington arrivals continues - this time with a themed bar, an exciting new bakery debuts in Oakville, Dundas West’s latest destination is inspired by Japanese ‘kissaten’, and the announcement of another long-standing restaurant closing before year’s end.

NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.

Recorded December 6, 2024. Hosted by Stephanie Dickison with Chris Garbutt.

Website https://bit.ly/TRTorontoRestaurants

OPEN/CLOSED https://bit.ly/TROpenClosed

Lnk in Bio - Links to everything https://lnk.bio/TorontoRestaurants

Produced by VQC Media info@vqcmedia.me