London Inc. Winter 2023 - 12

Upfront Events
ON THE PLATE
The city's flagship restaurant festival relaunches with a new organizer
and an expanded local focus
LONDONLICIOUS, THE TWICE-A-YEAR food festival
showcasing many of the city's independent restaurants, has
been absorbed by Growing Chefs! Ontario (GCO), a Londonbased
non-profit that unites chefs, growers, educators and
community members in children's food education projects.
According to GCO executive director Andrew Fleet, while
the overall aim of getting Londoners out to support their
favourite restaurants - and experience new ones - remains
the same, diners can expect to see a few changes in how the
program (www.londonlicious.ca) operates.
both excitement and cautious optimism. Many establishments,
he notes, are still struggling with pandemic impacts,
plus ongoing labour challenges and skyrocketing food costs.
The overarching focus for the program is to assist with
the industry's recovery, while at the same time bringing
to the forefront the role of local food growers, farmers and
suppliers.
" We want the community to understand the importance
of supporting local and to be mindful of the power we have
as individuals - that our spending choices matter, " says
Fleet. " When we direct our spending
locally, there is a ripple effect as the
money circulates through our local
economy. "
Fleet expects 25 dine-in and 15
takeout restaurants to participate
in January, all locally owned and
operated.
Additional ly,
Fleet
hopes
Londonlicious will spark community
conversation about the state of our
local food systems. " Canadians have
among the lowest food literacy levels in
Westernized countries, and it's something
we need to think about, " he says.
With the majority of GCO staff
Andrew Fleet and Jennifer Wyant of Growing Chefs! Ontario
" Londonlicious will first run January 20 to 30, traditionally
among the slowest weeks of the year for restaurant
eating, " says Fleet. " The festival will offer special pricing
to encourage Londoners to come out and discover local
eateries, but prices will be based on the cost of ingredients.
We are keeping the fixed-price menu concept, but we don't
expect restaurants to take a loss right now and prices may
be higher than in past years. That shouldn't be a surprise,
considering how much food costs have increased. "
In addition to less structured pricing, customers will also
have both dine-in and takeout options available - and both
lunch and dinner menus to choose from.
Fleet says when he began reaching out to restaurants
about participating in the revamped event, he was met with
12 | londonincmagazine.ca | WINTER 2023
and volunteers being drawn from the
local food service industry, along with
the organization's strong ties to local
food producers and suppliers, Fleet
says taking over the Londonlicious
program was a logical step - and presented
a new way for the organization
to support and promote their community partners.
But he also doesn't hold back regarding the challenged
state of the industry, its importance to the overall health
of the city's economy and the part Londoners can play in
helping to ensure its recovery.
" We have a super-cool city, with so many festivals, conventions
and events that bring visitors to London. And when
people are here, they are looking for delicious and unique
dining experiences, " says Fleet. " Without a strong independent
restaurant sector, our attractiveness as a convention
or event designation can start to come apart at the seams.
" If people can afford to, they should support local restaurants
during Londonlicious - and enjoy dining experiences
that are truly unique to London. "
KYM WOLFE
http://www.londonlicious.ca http://www.londonincmagazine.ca
London Inc. Winter 2023

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