We have been so fortunate to work with some of Southern Ontario's most talented chefs and food business owners over the last 4 years through our brand ambassador program and 2023 was no different!
This program was started as a way to celebrate customers who have consistently supported our local food business and that prioritize local food in their restaurants and businesses in a holistic sense. The ones that not only source as much local food as possible, but also implement innovative practices in their own businesses to support our local food community, from the people to the land.
We had the pleasure of spending the day with each of our 2023 Brand Ambassadors earlier this summer where we filmed a special project to give you a glimpse into their kitchens, why local food is a the forefront of their sourcing, and how their parternship with 100km Foods helps them achieve their business and culinary goals.
Our 2023 Brand Ambassadors:
- Albert Ponzo, Executive Chef of The Royal Hotel
- Laela O'Kelly, Sarah Lyons & Jeff Carroll, Co-Owners of Sunnyside Provisions
- Rafael Badell, Owner & Executive Chef of The Ace
- Jason Bangerter, Executive Chef of Langdon Hall
- Rachel Chartrand, Owner & Executive Chef of The Hamptons Restaurant
Albert Ponzo - Executive chef of The Royal Hotel
First up, we have Albert Ponzo, the Executive Chef of Prince Edward County's stunning Royal Hotel. We've been working with Albert for MANY years, all the way back to his days at Le Sélect Bistro, where he was Executive Chef for 11 years.
Chef Albert has established a truly remarkable local food program at The Royal, sourcing from their own farm, Edwin County Farms, as well as other local purveyors in the County and 100km Foods to bring in as much local ingredients as possible to his kitchens and onto your plates. Through these local purveyor partnerships, Albert's passion for sustainable farming and nose-to-tail butchery are being explored like never before.
Albert traces his love of food back to Sardegna where, as a young boy, he spent countless hours in his Nonna Maria’s kitchen. This love of food, its relationship to the land and the past, are what drive his passion today. When he’s not at The Royal, Albert can be found tending to the Ponzo Family Farm with Marlise and their three children.
Watch Albert's full chef profile to learn more about him, his journey to becoming a chef, and how local food has influenced his culinary career.
Laela O'Kelly, Sarah Lyons & Jeff Carroll - Co-Owners of Sunnyside Provisions
If you haven't checked out Sunnyside Provisions, we highly recommend you make a trip to Roncy to check out this neighbourhood gem. Born out of a collective love of all things hospitality and the desire to do something different and ‘pandemic-proof’, these 3 friends and former hospitality professionals came together during the early days of the lockdown and decided to open a spot in their own neighbourhood of Roncesvalles/High Park in West Toronto.
They wanted to create a space that was an extension of what they loved about their time within the food and beverage industry and stock it with items they enjoy to eat, drink and cook with. And they hoped their neighbours would feel the same way! We have to say, they DEFINITELY delivered.
Stepping foot in Sunnyside is truly a food lover's dream. The folks at Sunnyside take "fully-stocked" very seriously, offering everything from from-scratch takeaway meals, local & imported grocery & a wonderful selection of local beers, ciders and seltzers, and much, much more.
The amount of local food Sunnyside carries in their shop is truly incredible and their support of our network of local farms in particular has been overwhelming.
Check out their chef profile video to learn more about this incredible trio and the awesome things they're doing at Sunnyside.
Rafael Badell - Owner & Executive Chef of The Ace
Next up, we have Chef Rafael Badell! Rafael is an experienced chef, baker and restaurant owner. Driven by passion, he takes pride in providing the best possible ingredients combined with great service at The Ace on Roncessvales.
Rafael loves creating simple dishes highlighting Ontario meats and vegetables where he can combine traditional and modern cooking techniques. One look at The Ace's constantly changing seasonal menu shows the care and intention Rafael places on local sourcing and seasonal cooking.
Rafael says that he takes great pleasure in working alongside 100km Foods because it "makes farm to table possible at The Ace". Outside of the restaurant, Rafael enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids.
Learn more about Rafael’s food philosophy and the incredible locally and seasonally inspired food he's serving up at The Ace in his full chef profile video.
Jason BAngerter - Executive Chef of Langdon Hall
Chef Jason is one of 100km Foods' day one supporters! We were lucky to spend a day with Jason at the iconic Langdon Hall and be inspired by his entire team. It was incredible to witness the truly special culinary program Chef Jason has developed at Langdon Hall.
Jason and his team at Langdon Hall have forged relationships with many local farmers, professors, chefs, and several organizations to dig deep into best practices for farming, growing, harvesting, and sourcing. Their focus is on creating healthy, sustainable, ethically rooted cuisine that highlights our terroir, Indigenous species of plants, vegetables, fruits, and their flowers and seeds.
Jason's philosophy is all about delivering an extraordinary dining experience that represents more than just the food on the plate. The Langdon Hall property, the people and every ingredient they use tells a story, and these stories are so important to the guest’s experience.
From sourcing from 100km to growing their own produce themselves in their spectacular on site gardens, watch how Chef Jason’s passion for local food and sharing a taste of place with guests dining at Langdon Hall is at the forefront of his cuisine in his full ambassador profile video.
Rachel Chartrand - Owner & Executive Chef of The Hamptons restaurant
Last but certainly not least, we have Chef Rachel Chartrand of The Hamptons Restaurant. Rachel’s creativity, thoughtfulness, passion, and generous hospitality are truly second to none. We had such an amazing day at The Hamptons shooting this profile and watching her creative mind at work.
If you've met Rachel, you know her enthusiasm is truly INFECTIOUS and is in no short supply when it comes to sourcing local ingredients for The Hamptons Restaurant. Her dedication to high quality, unique, local ingredients is evident with just one glance at her menu.
Starting her life as a student of dance, Rachel's love for art can not tethered to just one form. Chartrand garners skills from overlapping careers consisting of visual artist, bartender, maitre’d, General Manager, Wine Curator and Chef; Rachel does not create dishes, she creates unforgettable experiences, both in and out of the kitchen.
Rachel sees the kitchen as her atelier, farming Inspiration from fresh produce, interior design, music, a culture. Within this romantic workshop is where she hones her craft; researching and sourcing local produce, sustainably harvested proteins from land and sea, bringing these all together to compose a daily symphony on the plate, evolving with the changing of the season.
Learn more about Chef Rachel and the stunning Hamptons Restaurant in her full ambassador profile video.
Thank You 2023 Brand Ambassadors
Each one of our 2023 Brand Ambassadors has a unique culinary style, is deeply committed to local food, and are using their purchasing power to prioritize our local farmers helping to build a viable local food economy. We're so lucky to be able to work so closely with these local food champions and couldn't be more grateful for their steadfast partnership.