Before taking up residence in the Niagara region, Top Chef Canada competitor Tania Ganassini earned her chops at acclaimed restaurants like Toronto’s Canoe and Michelin-starred Arco Antico in Rome, Italy. Her passion for plant-based cuisine led to the creation of Staff Meal Niagara, where Ganassini creates and delivers nutrition-focused, sustainably sourced meals and snacks for clients, while simultaneously hosting culinary workshops and events all around Niagara.
Although Ganassini prefers to cook with plant-based ingredients, she is no stranger to cutthroat competitions, having previously gone all the way to the finals on an episode of Chopped Canada in 2015.
Ganassini will be looking to go the full distance this time when Top Chef Canada premieres on April 1. Until then, we chatted with the Food Network Canada competitor to find out all the places she prefers to wine and dine at in the Niagara region.
Breakfast
For breakfast, I like Diner House 29. It's owned by a lovely family, and they do breakfast right! I also really like Yellow Pear Kitchen. It's owned by an amazing husband and wife duo; they're really detail oriented, and their food is damn good.
Lunch
Brushfire Smoke BBQ at Oast House Brewery. They have tons of veg-friendly options for a barbecue restaurant, their beers are perfection, and the food is delicious. Pie’Za Pizzeria is the best Neapolitan Pizza around--Jeffrey Zakarian frequents it when he is in town. 06 Chengdu Noodles has really authentic Sichuan dishes; spot on every time.
Dinner
I have a few go-to dinner spots. Dispatch has beautiful, thoughtful, delicious food. Ma Chinese's dim sum is made in house, and is so good. Masaki Sushi ferments their own soy sauce and miso, and the rice is always perfect.
Drinks
Oddbird is a really fun spot for well-crafted snacks and drinks. Ravine Vineyard is a stunning family-owned farm-turned vineyard, with all organic and biodynamic wines. Sit on the patio in the summer for the ultimate Niagara experience. Vineland Estates has one of the most beautiful views in the region; you’ll think you're in Tuscany. Oast House Brewery uses local Niagara produce in their beers, and has one of the best patios around. They also have live music and great food from Brushfire Smoke.
