Elgin Harvest began with the idea people would choose quality, entirely housemade foodstuffs from a certified chef using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible if they could access it. Like a field of dreams - if you build it, they will come - or so she thought.
Chef Cindy grew up in an agriculturally rich & diverse area of Southwestern Ontario in a little town called Aylmer (yes, like the ketchup, not the glue). After leaving the town, beginning a culinary career, and graduating from the Stratford Chefs School (2002), she sought to cook and find herself places to eat and be happy in the world.
Landing back in Elgin County years later after working in various restaurants throughout the province, Chef Cindy was amazed at the incredibly abundant amount of producers and products that dotted this quiet community. She was more amazed at the lack of local foods available in area restaurants and stores.
Since coming back home, she has explored kitchens, farms, dining rooms, and markets across the region and sincerely feels those who are lucky enough to live in such a diverse landscape are truly fortunate.
Elgin Harvest is a dream to plant, tend, and preserve the culinary landscape that is uniquely Elgin and share that dream with the world. Chef Cindy currently planning the gardens for 2021 (where I grow food for use in my products and recipe developments), raising chickens for eggs (personal consumption), and planning out the next mobile pizza season.
Whenever and wherever possible, the food, preserves, and ferments Elgin Harvest prepares are composed from high quality ingredients grown in their own gardens or from local farms. Much of it organic, including ancient and heritage grains; all of it delicious.
Chef Cindy grew up in an agriculturally rich & diverse area of Southwestern Ontario in a little town called Aylmer (yes, like the ketchup, not the glue). After leaving the town, beginning a culinary career, and graduating from the Stratford Chefs School (2002), she sought to cook and find herself places to eat and be happy in the world.
Landing back in Elgin County years later after working in various restaurants throughout the province, Chef Cindy was amazed at the incredibly abundant amount of producers and products that dotted this quiet community. She was more amazed at the lack of local foods available in area restaurants and stores.
Since coming back home, she has explored kitchens, farms, dining rooms, and markets across the region and sincerely feels those who are lucky enough to live in such a diverse landscape are truly fortunate.
Elgin Harvest is a dream to plant, tend, and preserve the culinary landscape that is uniquely Elgin and share that dream with the world. Chef Cindy currently planning the gardens for 2021 (where I grow food for use in my products and recipe developments), raising chickens for eggs (personal consumption), and planning out the next mobile pizza season.
Whenever and wherever possible, the food, preserves, and ferments Elgin Harvest prepares are composed from high quality ingredients grown in their own gardens or from local farms. Much of it organic, including ancient and heritage grains; all of it delicious.
Cheers,
Chef Cindy
Chef Cindy