GBC students at The Chefs’ House, the only student-run fine dining restaurant in downtown Toronto, is gearing up for the return of a popular city-wide event this August known as Summerlicious. The program aims to highlight the diversity of culinary talents amongst local restaurants, all while supporting them through economic downturn.

Head Chef John Higgins says there is a sense of excitement and readiness as the students prepare for the long-awaited comeback of the event because “it’s not just about the food, it’s about the students as well. What’s great for them is that we’ll be busier than normal, which is what the students are there for, to learn the art of hospitality and working under pressure.”

“We’re a part of the community, were not playing restaurant. We are a restaurant,” said Chef Higgins as we discussed the participation of The Chefs’ House in the reanimation of this summer’s initiative.

“We give the students the opportunity to perfect and practice their skill sets and put what they learned in labs to work. The unfortunate part about the pandemic is that students couldn’t see the guest’s reactions to their work,” he explained.

The emergence of COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of the food festival in 2020 and 2021. It’s no wonder that its revival after a long hiatus is one that students are eager to take part in.

The Chefs’ House’s menu for Summerlicous will have a different approach from other restaurants. John Higgins says, “Sometimes restaurants put on a Summerlicious menu, however we use the same menu we have available every single day in the summer.”

When visiting The Chefs’ House this summer expect the menu to be seasonally-inspired, with fresh ingredients that will highlight the ethnic multifariousness of the city.

Summerlicious take place from Friday, August 12 to Sunday, August 28. All are encouraged to attend in support of fellow students and the Toronto culinary industry.