Forest City Culinary Experiences and Gastronomic Tasting Experiences in 2023
Forest City Experiences & Blackfriars Bistro Cooking Classes & Team Building Experiences are now available for advance booking
Our Experiences
Ultimate Forest City Gastronomic Tasting Experience
3 1/2 hrs
2 Person mimimum
$325.00 + HST each
Rendezvous at the Covent Garden Market for a brief culinary experience. This is followed by a tour and craft cocktails at a local distillery. Next stop is a visit to an upscale bodega followed by a multi-course farm-to-table tasting experience at a secret location. Transportation is provided between venues.
Italian-inspired Gastronomic Tasting Experiences
We offer a series of a Gastronomic Tasting Experience in 2023 at Blackfriars Bistro with Chef Bryan Lavery and Restaurateur Emanuela Frongia. Call 519-667-4930
$160.00 per person with Optional Wine Pairing for $75.00
Downtown London Covent Garden Market Experience
3hrs (approx.)
Each Person
$150.00 + HST
Experience London’s iconic Covent Garden Market and surrounding area with a friendly local insider. We’ll meet at Market Square. You’ll have a personal introduction to London’s Covent Garden Market food and drink offerings and its passionate vendors. These vendors may include a chef, cheesemonger, butcher, artisanal baker, small-batch coffee roaster, chocolatier or ice cream purveyor. By the end of this progressive tasting experience, you’ll have sampled a series of locally-sourced, in-season signature items that add up to an authentic expression of Covent Garden’s culinary scene.Cooking class & tasting experience at Covent Garden Market Kitchen.
On the Forks Culinary Experience
3hrs
Each Person
$160.00 + HST
Experience London’s gastro and cultural scene on this 3 hours guided walking experience by a culinary insider. The experience begins at the historic Covent Garden Market where you’ll meet friendly specialty food vendors, farmers and artisans.
This tour, centered around Forks of the Thames, Museum London, Eldon House, stops at Blackfriars Bistro for a sit-down gastro tasting experience.
Our Culinary and Cultural Experiences allow you to learn about the heritage sites we pass, discuss the history of the founding of the city and point out some of the more eccentric things that only a true insider can show you.
Ontario Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence Winner
Culinary Director, Chef Bryan Lavery has been in the culinary experience business in one way or another for more than three decades. More recently, we formed the Lavery Culinary Group, and its subsidiary Forest City Culinary Experiences with the express intention of developing and delivering unique culinary experiences and gastronomic tasting experiences in a collaboration with Blackfriars Bistro and other farm-to- table restaurants in and around Southwestern Ontario.
Since our inception in 2017, we have benefited from the support and guidance of a number of individuals, partnerships and organizations.
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Experience The Forest City
In 2023 we are offering a wide range of food and drink focused walking experiences and gastronomic tasting experiences in Downtown London, Blackfriars/Petersville and a number of surrounding neighborhoods. You’ll be able to connect to the Forest City in a new way and indulge your senses with an insider experience by local culinary experts and storytellers.
If you’re a diehard culinary enthusiast who cares about your food and where it originates, you’re going to love discovering the Forest City’s thriving local food and drink scene. Our landmark restos, bars and indie cafés distinguish themselves with authenticity and an emphasis on using characteristic locally-sourced ingredients.
Each group is paired with a friendly host who will immerse you in local culture and share their insider knowledge. Taste, sip, shop, and walk while embracing your inner foodie.
Every experience is unique so we recommend you bring your camera (or charged cell phone) to capture your experience. Bring your curiosity and questions, we love sharing anecdotes and recommendations for great indie places to eat and drink in the Forest City
Coming In 2023 Forest City Christmas Market Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cancellations work?
A minimum of 48 hours notice for any cancellation is required. All cancellations/notifications/rescheduling must be emailed to create@laveryculinarygroup.com.
Will the experiences operate during bad weather?
Yes, our food experiences operate rain or shine, snow or cold, wet or dry. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Are the experiences accessible?
Yes, the majority of our food tours are accessible to wheelchairs and walking aids. Service dogs are welcome at most of our stops.
Will there be washrooms throughout the experiences?
Well maintained and accessible washrooms are available during the experiential tours at various stops on the way.
How far do we walk?
Our culinary experiences cover approximately 1.5 – 2 km over the course of 2 – 3 hours, with approximately 30 minutes of total walking. We stop several times and maintain a comfortable pace. The area around the Forks of the Thames has some changes in elevation, so if your experience includes this area please be prepared to traverse some small hills.
Do you provide options for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free)?
We take our clients food preferences and allergies seriously. We can substitute a dish or two on the tour to accommodate dietary restrictions, but please contact us first before purchasing your ticket. We can also customize experiences for groups of six or more.
Does the culinary experience include drinks?
Your ticket includes all the food and drinks served on the tour. Some of our experiences may have optional craft cocktail and wine pairings, otherwise, all beverages are included with your ticket.
Are gratuities included in the price?
There is no automatic gratuity included in the price of your experience. Your facilitator/guide will appreciate a tip at the end of the experience, but it is not expected or required.
Will the stops be closed to the public during the experience?
We set up each stop in advance with our partners who as a small indie business may be serving regulars when we arrive, so we may face a minimal wait or eat standing time at some stops. It’s part of our commitment to supporting local food and farmers who showcase the best of our city. All our culinary experiences and tours operate rain or shine.
