This Toronto bakery was just crowned the best for cakes in all of Canada

1:14 pm

We’re halfway through December, which means bakery windows across Toronto are fogged with sugar, spice and everything nice! So the timing couldn’t be better for a new ranking of the most sought-after cake shops across Canada and the U.S. — and Toronto shows up like it always does, right on top.

The list comes from Betway, which compared TripAdvisor ratings, Instagram and TikTok followings and Google search volume to come up with a final indexed score out of 100. It’s basically a data-backed way of figuring out where people are actually lining up, scrolling and searching when they want cake.

At the top of the Canadian list is Toronto’s own Roselle Desserts, scoring a huge 97.43. If you’ve ever tried to snag one of their holiday pastries before they sell out, the number feels pretty accurate. Between their strong reviews and an online fan base that treats new menu drops like concert announcements, Roselle has clearly earned its spot.

Toronto doesn’t stop there. Daan Go Cake Lab lands at No. 5 thanks to its playful designs and steady online buzz, The Dessert Lady takes No. 8 with its classic cakes and neighbourhood loyalists and Crust Bakery’s Toronto shop rounds out the list at No. 10. Four entries in the top ten is a solid showing for one city!

Vancouver landed on the list with three spots, including Beaucoup Bakery which snagged second place overall, followed by Butter Baked Goods and the original Crust Bakery. Edmonton’s Duchess Bake Shop comes in third — a favourite for anyone who likes their pastries with a side of nostalgia — while Calgary’s Manuel Latruwe and Ottawa’s Three Tarts complete the lineup.

Whether you’re hunting for a bûche, a box of cookies or a last-minute cake to impress relatives you barely know, these are the places Torontonians are searching for the most and will most likely be worth the hype.

Another U.S. department store is closing in Toronto and the sale is huge

Julia Mastroianni

12:16 pm

When a new luxury retailer from the U.S. decided to open its first store outside the country in Toronto in 2021, no one was surprised that Yorkville was the location of choice. The Webster, a multi-brand luxury shop that found success in multiple high-traffic cities south of the border (including New York City’s SoHo and The Beverly Center in Los Angeles), unveiled its signature pink facade in the fall of 2021 on Scollard Street. But it turns out the retailer was no match for Toronto’s fashion scene. The Webster announced on Thursday that the Yorkville location — and its only Canadian outpost — is closing.

“The Sun Sets in Toronto,” reads the dramatic title on The Webster’s Instagram post. “The Webster Toronto will be closing its doors after many wonderful years in Toronto.”

The post noted that any last-minute shopping or stylist appointments can be done until Dec. 27, after which the store will close for good.

This marks yet another U.S. department store concept that has failed in the Canadian market. Earlier this year, all Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off 5th stores closed in Canada as part of Hudson’s Bay Company’s liquidation. Nordstrom closed down in Canada, shuttering all 13 stores, in early 2023. A Canadian department store, Simons, has since taken its place, taking over some of the former Nordstrom storefronts when it launched in Toronto this year.

While The Webster isn’t a traditional department store — it operates as more of a multi-brand boutique — it marks another successful U.S. brand finding challenges translating its concept to a Canadian audience.

If you’ve never stepped foot inside that pink storefront before, now is your chance: the farewell sale is pretty huge. Many items are 60 per cent off, and there’s an additional 40 per cent off on the entire store — including the pieces already 60 per cent off. That means you can score a Courrèges puffer jacket, normally $1,580, for $380 plus tax.

The Webster stocks top designer brands, ranging from Loewe and Alaia to Miu Miu and Maison Mihara, so their closing sale might be an opportunity to build up (or start) your high-end fashion collection.

However, not everything in the store is for sale: for those who have visited the shop before, you may recall being greeted by a life-sized pink bear, sculpted by Italian artist Paola Pivi. But if you’ve been dreaming of taking home a not-so-little keepsake from the retailer, bad news: the bear is off-limits!

It’s unclear why The Webster couldn’t find success in a Canadian market. Some might expect that the location, in a historic brick building, played a role. Scollard Street is one of the least-travelled streets in the Yorkville neighbourhood, filled mostly with quiet townhouses, hair salons and other beauty clinics. The retailer also opened in the midst of the pandemic, and Toronto has had a slow return to downtown life. The city has lagged behind most other major cities in the return to the office, with fewer average days per week than Paris, Singapore, New York, Sydney and London.

Conversations with members of the in-store Toronto team suggest that The Webster didn’t put enough into marketing, relying too strongly on organic reach through Instagram. And without any other Canadian outposts (the brand originally hinted at a Vancouver location, but that never transpired), national marketing was limited and difficult as well.

The Webster Toronto’s closure will leave a hole in Yorkville’s retail scene, especially as one of the only multi-brand luxury shops in the city. Maybe another Canadian concept will take its place!

These are the fashion trends Toronto will be obsessed with this winter

Julia Mastroianni

5:32 pm

winterfashiontrends — Courtesy Hilary MacMillan

Flurries are fast approaching, and with it comes the annual sartorial challenge facing all Torontonians — what the heck do we wear to stay warm and stylish? This year, fashion trends from the runway and beyond take classic winter staples and style them in new and unexpected ways. Here are five fashion trends you’ll be noticing on the streets of Toronto this winter.

Furry, fuzzy fun

While fur has always been the most controversial of all wintry fabrics, that hasn’t stopped it from topping almost every trending fashion trend list this year. For those ethically wary, there are two slightly more sustainable options to participate in this trend: faux fur, and secondhand fur. While mob wife-style, full-fur coats have been the most popular (and warmest) way to wear this fuzzy sensation, not everyone is comfortable draping themselves in head-to-toe rabbit or mink, faux or not. But the luxe-combined-with-cozy appeal of fur in fashion can be achieved through accents instead: think cuffs on jackets, collars, a Penny Lane-inspired fur-lined shearling coat or even (for a little bit of New Year’s Eve glamour) a fur-trimmed mini dress. Toronto designer Hilary MacMillan is the queen of ethical faux fur jackets, like this beautiful chocolate brown trench with a matching mahogany fur trim or maxi teddy in a trending purple shade. Canadian brand Rudsak also knows their way around faux fur, from coats to gloves and leg warmers.

Funnel it in

The funnel neck trend has carried neatly over from fall into winter, and for good reason — what better way to ward off a particularly frigid wind than a popped collar? Usually seen in more technical fabrics, the top design houses have gone wild with this trend, from leather (like this Loewe one) to shearling fur (like this stunning Diane Von Furstenberg coat in a rich Bordeaux colour) to wool (check out Massimo Dutti). Since then, everyone has put their spin on the funnel neck trend, and not just in outerwear — Simons is doing a cozy high neck cardigan, and you can go for an optional funnel neck by opting for sweaters like this one, where you can leave it in an open v-neck or button all the way up to the top for extra warmth.

Hello, tartan

Heritage checks are a match made in heaven with the cooler seasons — and of all the checks and plaids out there, tartan reigns supreme as a solidly winter pattern. Primarily associated with Scotland, tartan is both practical and fun, made of warm and heavy wool and often in reds, greens and whites (hello, Christmas!). This year, it’s the tartan skirt that has risen above the rest. Considered an “anti-denim” trend by some, you can treat these often pleated skirts like a good pair of jeans — they go with everything! We suggest matching your top or sweater with one of the supporting colours in the tartan pattern of your skirt for an ultra-coordinated look. Go with a wool cable knit for a truly Scottish-inspired outfit! Toronto designer Smythe has designed an elegant, fitted asymmetrical skirt with a festive red, white and forest green check. For a more affordable option, tartan and pleated skirts litter the thrift and vintage stores in Toronto, including at Good Juice Box Vintage and Siberia Vintage.

Scarf styling

Normally we would say, scarves for winter? Groundbreaking. But this humble cold weather accessory has been given a new life this season. Accessorizing in the winter is usually about piling on as many layers as you can and waiting for spring. But thanks to this new trend, scarves have been elevated from strictly outerwear to a truly stylish accessory. Coats with built-in scarves took off last year (largely thanks to Toteme’s viral design), and now it’s sweaters and knits that are getting the scarf treatment. Scarves-as-belts (no, not like Bonhomme) has also been attempted on and off the runway. And lest we forget the near-ubiquitous over-the-shoulder scarf, tied like the arms of a sweater in the classic preppy look. That particular iteration was popularized by none other than Canada’s Aritzia.

A plum job

Versions of red have pretty much dominated the colour palettes of fashion-forward folks for the past few years — but this season, the colour scale has tilted just slightly, in the direction of none other than plum. Purple has been named one of the trending colours of 2025 and especially took off during the fall. So it’s no surprise that, when the cold weather rolled around, that purple went warm and cozy. Plum is just a little less brown than its very popular cousin burgundy (also known as oxblood, wine, crimson or any other very fancy sounding descriptor that belongs in a movie set in the wealthy English countryside), and, obviously, a little more purple. Regal but also understated, we’re calling it now: this colour is everything you need for your winter wardrobe. Go functional and warm with a Lululemon puffer in a shade called “black plum,” or up the elegance factor even more with a pair of wide leg, high rise draped trousers.

10 Christmas gift ideas for Toronto food lovers who already have everything

Nisean Lorde

3:25 pm

Toronto foodies are absurdly easy to shop for — at least in theory (there are only so many bottles of grocery-store hot sauces and random charcuterie boards one can use).

If you’re looking for something that actually feels special while supporting local businesses at the same time, these Toronto-based brands and experiences make perfect Christmas gifts for food lovers! From nut-free party desserts to olive oil straight from a family grove in Greece, here are 10 delicious ideas that a foodie will devour.

1. The Happy Box | Festive foodie box

This Toronto-based, women-founded company curates themed boxes filled exclusively with products from Canadian small businesses; think artisan snacks, tasty drink mixes, pantry treats and self-care extras. Products are shipped directly to the recipient, gift-wrapped and ready to open. Their Winter & Holiday Collection includes “Canada’s Winter Market” ($135), an advent-style box that channels a cross-Canada holiday market, as well as festive options like ’Tis the Season of Treats, Comfort and Joy (For Her) and Fireside Flannel (from $99).

2. Bobbette & Belle Bakery | Gingerbread house

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If your foodie has a sweet tooth, why not gift an over-the-top gingerbread house? Bobbette & Belle Bakery is known for its intricate, towering gingerbread creations and deluxe gingerbread house kits that let you show off your own edible showpieces at home for the holidays! The houses are crafted by in-house gingerbread artists, with detailed piping, candied accents and a classic storybook look that will make a living room feel like a live Hallmark movie. For DIY types, the Complete Gingerbread House Kit comes with everything you need to assemble and decorate a festive house, so it’s perfect for anyone who likes their Christmas décor to be fully snackable.

3. Chef Charlotte Langley | Nice Cans

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For the foodie who nerds out over anchovies and sardines, anything from Chef Charlotte Langley’s pantry universe makes the perfect gift. The Toronto-based chef made waves co-founding Scout Canning, then launched Nice Cans this year (a tinned food brand focused on Mediterranean-inspired sardines and sustainably sourced seafood). Perhaps build a holiday package with a mix of sardine flavours, some crackers and a bottle of wine — you’ll have the perfect stocking stuffer!

4. Sullivan & Bleeker | The Dirty Dozen of Jars

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A post shared by Sullivan & Bleeker Baking Co. (@sullivanbleeker)

Sullivan & Bleeker has become the cult fave for over-the-top cookies, cupcakes and candy! Their ‘Dirty Dozen of Jars’ just might be their most giftable item (and perfect for people with nut allergies). This party-ready pack includes 12 nut-free assorted “jarcake” gourmet cupcakes baked directly into individual mason jars, ready to eat with a spoon. Each jarcake is a single-serve portion, and the Dirty Dozen lineup includes one of every flavour: sundae, salted caramel, chocolate, s’mores, banana caramel maple, mint chocolate chip, bubble gum, cookie dough, red velvet, Oreo, candy bar and carrot cake.

5. Bandit Brewery | The Art Bandit beer & poster gift bundle

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This is for the craft beer nerd who has a favourite IPA and an opinion about the label design — Bandit Brewery’s “The Art Bandit” gift bundle focuses on both! The west-end Toronto brewpub is known for its cute raccoon branding and small-batch releases. The $54 gift bundle set includes four 355 ml cans of their mainstay beers, five collectible label-art magnets and a full-size Bandit poster of your choice. The beers in the bundle rotate based on availability, but expect some of Bandit’s best-loved brews, like Juicebox, Mr. Pink or The Great Escape.

6. Pilot Coffee Roasters | Giftable coffee subscriptions

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If your foodie-friend’s idea of self-care is all about espresso shots, a coffee subscription from Pilot Coffee Roasters is a safe bet! The Toronto-based roastery offers a “Gift A Coffee Subscription” option that sends two bags of seasonally rotating beans per shipment. You choose how many shipments you want to gift and share your recipient’s details and a personalized message; Pilot handles the rest, emailing your giftee and shipping the beans on schedule!

7. Chocolat de Kat | Cool chocolates and jewel-box bonbons

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Who wouldn’t love a customizable chocolate box? Chocolat de Kat is a small, Toronto chocolatier with a reputation for delicious, flavour-packed bonbons. The chocolate gift boxes are available in 4-, 9-, and 25-piece formats (ranging from $14.50 to $81), and are filled with hand-painted chocolates that crack to reveal silky ganaches, caramels, gelées and pralines inside. Head to their website and choose ‘Chef’s Choice’ or build your own box by mixing and matching flavours like Yuzu Hot Toddy, Chai Snickerdoodle, Vietnamese Coffee, Birthday Cake and more. If your food lover has an allergy, there are filters to avoid allergens like dairy, gluten, nuts, eggs or alcohol. Free shipping for orders over $100+ in the GTA and $200+ across Canada!

8. Cheese Boutique | Behind-the-scenes tour of the Cheese Boutique

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For the foodie who’d rather collect experiences, a tour of Toronto’s iconic Cheese Boutique is about as indulgent as it gets! The gourmet shop runs “Ultimate Foodie Experience” tours that take small groups (2-6 people) through the main store, the Bottega bakery café and the legendary cheese vault. The Level 1 Tour ($140/person) includes a guided walk by a cheese specialist, tastings of six rotating cheeses with pairings, seasonally available charcuterie and antipasto, a bottle of the shop’s exclusive Pristine Cuvée Cabernet Franc, a $25 Cheese Boutique gift card and a pastry and coffee or tea to finish!

9. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen | Brunch in a box!

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Liberty Village’s Mildred’s Temple Kitchen has been serving legendary brunch for more than 35 years, and now you can gift some weekend magic in kit form. The Mildred’s Pancake Essentials Kit ($42.50) bundles their buttermilk pancake mix with a 250 ml bottle of organic maple syrup, a 250 ml wild blueberry compote and a cute “Wake me up when brunch is ready” door hanger, all boxed up for easy gifting. The kit ships across Canada (with free shipping over $150) and is also available for local pick-up, so maybe pair it with a brunch reservation.

10. Mamakas | Early Harvest Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Ossington’s Mamakas Taverna is the top spot for Greek mezze and late-night ouzo, and now the restaurant is bottling that flavour for home kitchens. Mamakas Early Harvest is a limited-release organic extra-virgin olive oil made from Manaki olives grown in an organic grove neighbouring the founders’ family home in Arcadia, Peloponnese. The olives are pressed within hours of picking, so your foodie will experience a fragrant, balanced oil! The project is a collaboration with a woman-owned olive grove and is limited to just 500 bottles, making it a very special pantry gift.

You can catch your favourite ‘Degrassi’ actor in a new holiday movie

Julia Mastroianni

12:56 pm

Canadian TV watchers everywhere will recognize Toronto’s Jake Epstein from his seven-season run as Craig Manning on Degrassi: The Next Generation, starring opposite Drake. But the actor’s career extends far beyond the Canadian classic, and includes multiple stage roles on and off-Broadway as well as starring in numerous TV shows including The Umbrella Academy to Suits. Recently, he’s taken on a new acting genre: the holiday movie. Ahead of his lead role in Oy to the World, premiering on Dec. 14, he chatted with us about all things festive films, Degrassi and acting.

What drew you to this movie?

I love that it’s about two competing youth choir directors [one working at a temple, the other at a church], which is really specific and really, really funny. Also, I love the message of combining Jewish tradition and Christian or Christmas tradition into something more meaningful. My wife is not Jewish, and I am, so I related to that. To depict that in such a joyous way was a real pleasure.

What appeals to you about the holiday movie genre?

jake epstein oytotheworld — L–R: Jake Epstein and Brooke D’Orsay in ‘Oy to the World.’ Courtesy W Network/STACKTV

I love comedy and I grew up watching rom-coms. I’m a huge lover of Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally. These movies are really funny but are also trying to show us something about love and humanity. I felt like I really fit in that world. And then a casting director called me the Jewish Jimmy Stewart and cast me in a Christmas movie, and since then, every year, while I’ve been doing other projects in the U.S. or around Toronto, I’ve tried to do a few movies like this.

FAST FACTS

Name: Jake Epstein

Degrassi roots: He starred in Degrassi: The Next Generation opposite Drake (and appeared in his 2018 “I’m Upset” music video-turned-cast reunion).

Fave spot in the city: Kensington Market.

Fave Toronto memory: Seeing live music at the Phoenix and Revival.

You’ve had a prolific theatre career, alongside your TV and film acting. How different are these mediums?

Acting for stage is how I started, and it’s a huge love of mine, and it’s so much about connecting with the audience. And it’s thrilling because once you start a play there’s no one that’s going to call cut. It just goes, whatever it is that night. So it’s a bit scary and stressful, but really fun. Someone told me that theatre is an actor’s medium, TV is a writer’s medium and film is a director’s medium. I always think that’s really true. I think about the actors on stage with theatre, whereas with TV, I feel like it’s so much about the writing. Your’e at the whim of where your character is going to go and you don’t know what’s going to happen from week to week. There’s a real freedom in that. And film is similar to that, but I feel like it’s so much about the director’s vision in my experience.

But I love all of them. You learn something from each one. And everything impacts everything. I’m a new dad, and that changes the kinds of roles I’m playing and roles I want to do.

**You took part in the Degrassi: Whatever It Takes doc that premiered at TIFF. How did that come about?**

Degrassi was a huge part of my life, but it can be a little bit scary when you’re being interviewed to be part of a story, and you don’t know what they’re going to use of what you’re saying. So I asked what the angle was. And I decided I wanted to be a part of it and tell a little bit of my story.

**What’s your relationship like with your Degrassi co-stars today?**

It sort of feels like my second high school. I have friends who are very much still in my life, and there are some that I just don’t get to see as much as I would like. And definitely when we were asked about this documentary, there was a conversation about it and who wanted to do it and just sort of protecting ourselves.

What’s next for you?

I have a really cool role in that’s coming up in an episode of a new show called Anna Pigeon, coming out in 2026. And there’s an indie film that I haven’t seen yet, but I was really proud to be part of it. It’s called Victorious, and it’s a story of a Canadian blind Paralympic rower named Victoria Nolan. I play her husband, and in real life, her husband was actually my favourite elementary school teacher at Claude Watson School for the Arts. So it was pretty cool to play my teacher! And I’m in two seasons of Mistletoe Murders. And then in Toronto, for theatre fans, I’m going to be in a Coal Mine Theatre production, Eureka Day.

This popular Kensington Market restaurant closed overnight. Its co-founder just brought it back

Nisean Lorde

12:43 pm

SnapInsta Ai 2999109424120533759 — @eatrastapasta/Instagram

Fans of the original Rasta Pasta restaurant in Kensington Market are in luck. The popular takeout spot unexpectedly shut its doors in late October due to unpaid rent, but on Saturday, a new Jamaican-Italian fusion space reopened in the same spot under a different name: Kensington Jerk and Pasta.

The new owner is Mary Neglia, one of the original co-owners who helped open Rasta Pasta over a decade ago. She had long sold her share of the space and retired, but came back when she heard the restaurant had closed and that staff had lost their jobs.

Although the name and ownership are different, the menu and kitchen team remain the same, so OG Rasta lovers can still munch on classic jerk chicken dumplings, dreadlock pasta and curry-scampi linguini as they’ve always had in Kensington!

“We’ve been cooking, creating, and vibing to bring you a fusion spot like no other — Jamaican flavour meets Italian comfort, with both takeout and dine-in vibes ready to go,” the restaurant said in a recent Insta post, adding that the dishes are all made with fresh ingredients and “a whole lot of love.”

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A post shared by Kensington Jerk And Pasta (@jerkandpasta)

Rasta Pasta first opened in 2012, when Magnus and Mary (Neglia) Patterson turned a former Kensington takeout counter into the city’s hottest Jamaican jerk shack-Italian pasta joint. The mix of flavours (and Magnus’s presence at the oil-drum grill outside) made the restaurant a neighbourhood fixture, so news of the closure came as a shock to long-time customers. In a recent Reddit thread, many praised the spot for offering delicious eats and affordable prices (some even recalled the $5 lunch specials that once made Rasta a student fave).

The new spot is currently open for lunch and early dinner (closed Mondays), so now’s the perfect time to head over and show your support! If you’re still craving Rasta Pasta by name, there’s also a location at Waterworks Food Hall.

Kensington Jerk and Pasta is located at 61 Kensington Ave.

Queen West just got a custom pasta bar with more than 10 toppings and a 35-kilo parm wheel

Erica Commisso

10:49 am

Foodies with a penchant for Italian cuisine are about to get very excited: There’s a new pasta restaurant that just opened on Queen West.

Pastalia’s concept functions similar to a poke or burrito restaurant – you pick your fresh, handmade pasta base (and its size), you pick your toppings, and it all goes together in a freshly made, customized bowl.

“Everything starts with our Fettuccine Alfredo, which gets tossed inside a 35-kilogram wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano imported straight from Italy,” says co-founder Deniz Ozturk. “From there, people can customize their bowl with more than ten toppings. And that mix is what makes it special. You usually see parmesan-wheel pasta at high-end restaurants where customization is limited or even forbidden(!). We wanted to bring that same quality to a quick-serve setting where people can make it exactly how they like.”

The pasta is served in two sizes: The Teaser (140g) for $10.99 or The Showstopper (200g) for $13.99. From there, diners can “make it saucy” with options like Classic Alfredo, Saucy Marzano tomato, Saucy Arrabbiata (spicy), Bolognese, or Pesto Perfection, and add proteins like Roast Beef, Grilled Chicken, or Chorizo. Finishing touches include Truffle Mushroom Purée, Roasted Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Baby Mozzarella, Roasted Eggplant, Roasted Red Peppers, Broccoli, or Extra Parmesan.

For those who prefer a ready-made combination, Pastalia also offers signature bowls like The Truffle Trouble with Alfredo, truffle mushroom purée, grilled chicken and roasted mushrooms; Veggie Magic blends pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli and baby mozzarella; La Verde Vita balances classic Alfredo with a spicy Arrabbiata sauce, grilled chicken and roasted mushrooms; and The Roman Holiday layers Alfredo with Bolognese, roasted mushrooms and baby mozzarella.

There’s even a menu for furry friends: Pawsta Lover comes with toppings like Salmon Sprinkle or Savory Liver Dust, sized as Little Fella ($3.49) or Big Fella ($4.49). Diners can also make any pasta dish a combo for $7.99 by adding a salad or dessert and a drink.

As people learn more about Pastalia and the owners learn more about the tastes of the neighbourhood, the offerings will evolve to include more seasonal shapes as well as a lasagna dish. But it’s all about sharing the love of pasta.

“Pastalia is owned by three friends who bring more than fifteen years of combined experience across restaurants, service, operations, sales and marketing,” Ozturk says. “Each of us came in with different strengths that complement each other, and that blend is really what shaped the concept. We’ve poured everything we know about hospitality and customer experience into creating a place that feels warm, welcoming and consistent.”

The restaurant is currently in its soft launch, and Ozturk says the west end feels like the perfect home for the brand of hospitality Pastalia serves up.

“Queen West has always felt like the heart of the city to us. It’s creative, a little chaotic in the best way, and full of people who appreciate good food done with care,” he says. “We wanted to be part of that energy. And when we found this space, it just felt right. The neighbourhood already feels like home.”

Pastalia is located at 1180 Queen Street West.

Netflix just scooped up the rights to Matty Matheson’s wild YouTube cooking show ‘Just A Dash’

Nisean Lorde

5:25 am

Matty Matheson’s chaotic YouTube cooking show is officially heading to Netflix. The streaming service has acquired exclusive global rights to Season 3 of Just A Dash and will also be the new home for Seasons 1 and 2. All three seasons are set to drop globally on Netflix on Jan 20, 2026.

If you’ve somehow missed it, Just A Dash is Matheson’s deeply unserious (yet genuinely useful) cooking series where the restaurateur/actor makes complex dishes with friends in his home kitchen, but in a super messy, hilarious way.

It first aired on YouTube in 2019, so the show helped launch Matheson’s career as a digital-era food star long before he was stealing scenes as Neil Fak on The Bear.

Season 3 comes with a new twist. According to the official logline, “With the Matheson house now off limits, Just A Dash hits the road, forcing Matty and the crew to scramble through a surreal, messy, hilarious culinary roadshow with no kitchen and no plan.”

Matheson and Chris Wardle return as executive producers, with Wardle directing and co-writing alongside Matheson. Wardle has also been a key creative partner on related projects like Matty and Benny Eat Out America, while Matheson has expanded his empire with everything from acting to cookbooks and restaurants (oh, and serving as a mentor to Canada’s top chef).

“Just a Dash Season 3 is possibly the most insane TV show ever created in the culinary world. You’re welcome and good luck,” Matheson said in a statement.

A first-look trailer for Season 3 is already live on YouTube, offering quick flashes of on-the-road mayhem, a couple of spilled ingredients, Matheson picking up an oversized egg and what looks like a big king crab over a pot. There’s plenty of shouting and, of course, a few bleeped-out swear words, so the kind of barely controlled madness fans have come to expect.

“Nothing can shake me. I stand behind a counter and cook,” Matheson says in the trailer. “It’s that easy.”

Seasons 1-3 of Just A Dash will stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide starting Jan 20, 2026.

Behind the scenes with the man who changed Greek dining in Toronto

Jennifer Schembri

5:01 pm

SnapInsta Ai 3772523623484469450 — Thanos Tripi

Thanos Tripi, the mastermind behind Mamakas Food Group, is bringing his Greek flair to Summerhill with a new location next year. Fresh off launching his own olive oil, he’s spilling the secrets behind his favourite neighbourhood spots, family holiday dishes and the flavours that make Toronto bite back — plus what makes this next chapter the tastiest yet.

Why Summerhill? And what will be different from Mamakas Ossington?

SnapInsta Ai 3662351128571198819 — Mamakas

At its core, Summerhill will have Mamakas’s DNA, but this location has its own personality. We’ll be introducing a private dining room and subtle design touches unique to Summerhill. Like any restaurant, without its guests, all you have are four walls and an empty room. Summerhill has a different rhythm: a close-knit community of families. Every neighbourhood brings its own character — and that’s what makes opening in Summerhill so exciting.

How has Toronto’s culinary scene changed since launching Mamakas?

There are more seats in the city now than ever before, with excellent operators and chefs behind them. Dining habits have shifted and have created a more competitive environment, and the demands on us as operators mean we have to keep striving to be better in all aspects of hospitality.

Why launch your own olive oil now?

It’s something I always wanted to do. We took the time to educate ourselves — spending the time travelling through the Peloponnesos searching out the best quality and taste profile. This is just part of our journey of uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence that we constantly strive for.

December in hospitality is a madhouse. How do you find calm?

Every morning after I walk my dogs and drop the kids off at school (moments I share with my wife), I do my rounds and go to each restaurant while they are starting the day, simply enjoying the calm before the day’s events and organized chaos begins.

Which holiday dish transports you back to your family kitchen?

My Thea Barbara’s spanakopita and tiropita — there was nothing quite like them. Our family would treasure these beautiful dishes often filling up on this delicious meze before the feasts truly began.

People keep lining up for Toronto’s quirky new shop featuring 130+ local artists

Lauren DiBenedetto

3:07 pm

artist alley shop — Courtesy Carol F/Google Images

Toronto just got a brand-new playground for anime lovers, indie creators and anyone who still believes in the magic of handmade art.

Meet Artist Alley, the city’s newest small arts hub — tucked right into the ground floor of 665 Yonge St., one of the busiest stretches in Canada. It opened this past October and it’s been booming ever since, with lineups out the door well past its grand opening. The shop has since featured weekend pop-ups and an endless rotation of original art that feels like browsing a comicon convention hall without ever leaving downtown.

At its core, Artist Alley is a retail space fully dedicated to small Canadian artists with a heavy spotlight on anime-inspired merch. Everything on the shelves is handmade, illustrated, designed, crafted, printed or stitched by real artists, not AI, mass production or resellers. This is the real thing.

130+ artists contribute to the shop, and all of them keep 100 per cent of their sales. In a landscape where AI content, online algorithms and limited convention circuits make it harder than ever for independent creators to survive, Artist Alley feels like a revolution.

artist alley artists — Courtesy @comfysproutco/Instagram

Artist Alley acts as a mini comicon convention, with wall-to-wall stickers, pins, charms, prints, handmade plushies, tote bags, magnets, postcards, hats and clothing. The shelves here reset monthly with new creators and there’s a growing lineup of fandom events, cosplay meet-ups and specialty pop-ups.

If you’re a local artist, keep your eyes peeled as the shop continually puts out calls for submissions on Instagram.

With the closure of beloved indie arts institutions like Broken Pencil, the long-running magazine that championed zinesters and underground creators, Toronto has been feeling the absence of accessible, artist-first spaces. Artist Alley is helping to fill that gap.

It gives emerging illustrators, animators, crafters and designers a low-barrier stage to build income, visibility and community. Click on any artist listed on their website and you’re taken straight to their personal pages — an intentional move by the founders to redirect traffic not to themselves, but to the creators.

Founders Navid Tabibzadeh and Wen, both artists from the animation and video game world, started selling at conventions as a side hustle. Like many indie creators, they ran into a reality check. AI art flooding online spaces, limited Canadian convention schedules and few venues where artists could reliably sell work

So they built the space they wished existed. Artist Alley first opened in Montreal in October 2024, and its success triggered the Toronto launch just a year later.

They run the shop with a fully-artist staff, the definition of an artist-led ecosystem: creators supporting creators.

December’s featured artists include: Velvet_kt, NatChanDraws, HanhChu, Birdcrumb, Huoolong, TheKittenBomb, Chrysanthemem Hours, PuddingMilk, WeirdTakoyaki, Click&Equip, MadebyJods and Charlikesalmon.

And then there’s the massive list of regular contributors you’ll spot year-round, from 1percenttalent to Andalina to Bibisama and more (like much more… far beyond the B’s in the alphabet).

There’s even an NSFW section, which is exactly as spicy as you’d expect.

Sitting steps from Bloor–Yonge station, the shop is surrounded by foot traffic — students, commuters, tourists, and downtown wanderers moving through Yonge Street’s constant rush. It’s the perfect place for impulse buys, art discovery and the kind of chaotic, energetic vibe artist culture thrives in.

The Holiday Hot List: Gift Ideas From Toronto’s Best Shops

Dorothy Chudzinski

2:43 pm

The festive season has arrived, and the excitement of finding the perfect gift is in the air! Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, colleagues, or that special someone, we know the quest for the ideal present can be both fun and challenging. To help you spread cheer, we’ve compiled a diverse collection of gifts designed to delight every person on your list. Get ready to discover standout finds from local businesses that will bring genuine smiles, spread local cheer, and make this holiday truly unforgettable!

Season’s Petals, Season’s Cheer!

Tonic Blooms is one of Toronto’s first most-trusted, on-demand florists, delivering a curated selection of seasonal flowers and gifts within the GTA in as little as two hours. With Holiday flowers and gift delivery ranging from $69 – $198, think festive blooms, wreaths and trees and curated gift baskets that are anything but cliche! With thoughtful designs, seamless ordering and convenient and reliable delivery, making someone’s day has never been easier. It’s holiday flower delivery and stress-free gifting you can count on, happiness guaranteed!

Located at 688 Richmond Street West

For more information, call 416-305-0035 or visit tonicblooms.com

Bon-Bon’s Away!

At Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates, they create exquisite, hand-painted chocolate bonbons that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Made in small batches in North York with natural ingredients, each hand-painted piece reflects Aline’s artistry and craftsmanship. With around 30 unique flavors, gift boxes are available in sizes of 4, 6, 9, 16, and 25 bonbons. Nut-free, peanut-free, and vegan options make these edible works of art perfect for any occasion.

Located at 877 Alness St unit 22, North York

For more information, call 647-804-1605 or visit alinenasseh.com

Bejewel your love

In their final days, Secrett Jewel Salon is highlighting their 18K white gold ring set with 7 oval blue sapphires = 5.68cts and diamonds = 0.57cts, size 7.5. This ring encapsulates a sense of pride and appreciation, like Secrett Jewel Salon themselves. As they close this chapter, they are filled with a mix of sadness and excitement and will miss the daily conversations and the memories they have created, but are eager for the future and the possibilities that come with having more time to focus on themselves. They would like to offer a huge thank you to their wonderful friends and clients! Their final business day is January 24, 2026. Shop early to take advantage of their sale prices.

Located at 162 Cumberland St.

For more information, call 416-967-7500, or visit secrett.ca

Cozy Comfort

Give the gift of warmth and relaxation this holiday season from Beestung Lingerie. The iconic, classic Eberjey Gisele Pajamas are the perfect present to help a loved one cozy up during the holidays. Express your love in the several colours and prints they come in, and find out why everyone covets these pajamas. You can never go wrong with such a classic, chic gift! Prices start at $245

Located at 2624 Yonge Street

For more information, call 416-481-2849, or visit BeestungLingerie.com

The Gift You Can Hear

At Bay Bloor Radio, give the gift of sound this holiday season! Bay Bloor Radio is Toronto’s destination music lovers, with over 100 of the world’s best headphones and earphones to choose from. You can find great gifts for any budget, like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 for $649 along with other brands like Sony, Sennheiser, FiiO and more to gift this season! Try them all on and get advice from expert staff, who will help you narrow down the options so you can find your favorite.

Located at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West

For more information, call 416-967-1122, or visit baybloorradio.com

Once upon a snowy December day…

A little gingerbread house stood waiting, its chimney puffing sweet dreams and its front door wide open for magic to begin. “We built the house,” whispered the holiday elves, “but now it’s your turn to make it sparkle!” Inside a festive gift box from Robyn’s Cookies, you’ll find everything you need for a merry masterpiece: a grand gingerbread cottage, a piping bag brimming with royal icing, and a treasure trove of colorful candies. But the real magic? It’s hiding in your pantry! Pretzels can become a sturdy fence, cranberries and raisins transform into a cobblestone path, and cereals? Why, they make the perfect rooftop tiles! Gather your family, sprinkle in laughter, and let your imagination dance like sugarplums. This isn’t just decorating … it’s a holiday tale you’ll create together, one sweet detail at a time!

Located at 953 Mount Pleasant Road

For more information, call 647-341-4151 or visit robynscookies.com

Unforgettable Sparkle

For a truly memorable gift, consider the Vintage 2.31ct Sapphire and Diamond 14kt Cluster Engagement Ring, from Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques. This glorious ring features a stunning 2.31ct oval faceted, powdery blue sapphire at its heart, beautifully claw-set and encircled by a dazzling cluster of fourteen round brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately .51cts total weight, SI1 clarity, H-I colour). Its exceptional vintage quality makes it an ideal choice, whether presented as a unique engagement ring or a sophisticated right-hand ring.

By Appointment Only

For more information, call 416-260-9057 or visit cynthiafindlay.com/

For the Book Lover

A book every month for a year!! Give (or receive) the popular book subscription from Mabel’s Fables Bookstore. Receive a parcel with a wrapped book once a month. Custom chosen by age and interests. Contact our booksellers to register.

Located at 540 Mount Pleasant Road.

For more information call 416-322-0438 or visit www.mabelsfables.com

A Classic that Always Fits

Discover new and classic styles at Van Rijk Jewellers, such as the Ladies Patek Philippe Gold Nautilus in 18k Rose Gold. Lock in the love as the watch comes with a lockable adjustment system that’s integrated with a rose gold bracelet. It comes with a beautiful silvery opaline wave pattern dial with applied numerals and alpha style hands and sweeping seconds. The bezel is surrounded by a halo of 56 x 0.71ct total carat weight of Brilliant cut diamonds (Factory). Case size: 35.2 mm x 8.62 mm (thick). Automatic movement. Calibre: 26-33 SC. Water resistance.

Located at 90 Eglinton Avenue West

For more information, visit www.vanrijkestatejewellers.com

Crafted Elegance

Whether you are looking for a special host gift to thank someone for their festive hospitality or a spectacular present for a loved one, Shaynee’s Gift Selections is your destination to find unique treasures for everyone on your list! Elevate any gathering with the stunning Michael Aram Pomegranate Double Dish, inspired by the ancient, universal symbol of life, rebirth, and union. This piece brings profound meaning and beauty to everyone’s table this festive season!

Two locations: 3501 Bathurst Street and 441 Clarke Ave w Unit 8A

For more information, call 416-787-4497 or 905-709-0430

There’s a new pet funeral home in Toronto and it offers cremation by water

Julia Mastroianni

2:03 pm

Funeral homes have been a part of the (human) world for centuries — but what about our furry friends? It turns out pet cremation, burial and funerals are taking off in Toronto, including with one of the city’s latest business openings. This new aftercare service for dogs and other domestic animals isn’t just a place that helps you lay your furry friend to rest. It offers a myriad of services and resources that make saying goodbye just a little bit easier.

Tails Farewell is a pet funeral home and cremation service that opened this month in Moss Park. Their opening comes just roughly one year after opening their first location in Markham during fall 2024.

Plenty of the services at Tails Farewell make the funeral home stand out, but its most sought-after one might be their water-based Pet Aquamation. An eco-friendly alternative to typical cremation, the Pet Aquamation uses water instead of fire to naturally cremate the body, in a process called alkaline hydrolysis.

According to the Tails Farewell website, choosing an aquamation for your pet uses 90 per cent less energy than cremating by fire. It also burns zero emissions and fossil fuels, proving to be a gentler way to go for the earth and for your pet.

When it comes to the funeral service itself, Tails Farewell offers a wide range of packages depending on what you’re looking for, starting at $149.

For smaller pets like birds, chinchillas, hamsters and more, they offer the Tiny Treasures Tribute, honouring tiny and beloved friends with a heartfelt and dignified service. The Forever Love Farewell is Tails Farewell’s most comprehensive offering, which allows you to choose the urn and a custom-painted portrait of your pet, as well as a private funeral.

tails farewell ceremony — The Tails Farewell ceremony space.

You can also opt for the Communal Package, where your pet can join others pets in the aquamation process in an effort to minimize your environmental footprint. Ashes are scattered throughout local forests.

If you’re not looking for a full blown service, Tails Farewell also sells products to take home instead. One of their more popular items hail from their pet urn collection, starting at $79. They come in classic, plain painted black and grey urns to themed ones offered in the Eternal Night Urn Collection and the Sweet Home Urn Collection.

You can also get them to frame your pet’s paw print, or get custom-made art of your pet crafted by local artists.

The company describes themselves as a “dedicated and compassionate” place that offers respectful services for people navigating the challenge of bidding adieu to their furry companions.

Although the first of its kind, other pet funeral services can be found around Toronto too. In Good Hands Pet Loss, located in East York, is a prime spot to hold pet memorials, and they even allow you to choose a casket. Just further west from there, Petatree offers unique services like at-home euthanasia, pet burial in their own pet cemetery and even transforms the ashes of your pet into the life of a tree.

Tails Farewell is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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