The Summerhill Market has been a family-run business and local institution in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood for more than 55 years. Established in 1954 by Frank McMullen, this top quality grocery store is now run by Brad McMullen, owner and youngest grandson of Frank. A few weeks ago I visited their flagship store with my cousin Chris and had a chance to meet with Brad. His enthusiasm and passion for the quality of food that his family business produces was evident at our first hello.
Brad filled me in on the stores history and then took me on a behind the scenes kitchen tour. I was in awe at the size of the operation. The kitchen is larger than most grand hotels. I also had the opportunity to meet with executive chef Jameson Watermudler who overseas the kitchen’s 80 cooks that prepare 800 items in house daily (20 hours a day to keep up with customer demand).
Once finished in the kitchen Brad gave us a tour of the grocery store floor where I had the pleasure of gawking at perfectly packaged take home dinners, gleaming meat counters and a selection of imported yogurts that made my mouth water. By the end of our visit I had been given two massive grocery bags full of Brad’s favorite Sumemrhill Market products. Over the course of the next few weeks I ate everything and have showcased my favorites below which you must sample for yourself!
A final word from Brad:
“You could make these things at home, but why would you? We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that no corners are cut and no ingredients are compromised. One small example is how we roast bones for three hours, then simmer and reduce them for 24 hours so we can strain the jus for a base sauce for our prime rib dinner.”
Summerhill Market is a neighbourhood extension of your own kitchen, providing beautiful, wholesome, delicious food that’s affordable, travels well and allows customers to spend more time with family and friends. Always sourcing the very best ingredients and products – no matter how difficult they may be to track down – Summerhill Market makes the every day extraordinary.
The Grocery List (* notes my favorites):
Popcorn Rock Shrimp with Spicy Citrus Aioli
Chicken Pot Pie *
Lobster and Pea Risotto
Beef Stroganoff
Lobster Salad
Seafood Casserole
Balsamic Italian Marinated Flat Chicken *
Tzatziki *
Marinated Shrimp
Braised Lamb Shank
Apple Strudel *
Summerhill’s Own Pumpkin Loaf *
Cooked Lobster Meat
Black Truffle Potato Chips
Way Better Snacks’ Simply Sweet Potato Chips *
Gringo Jack’s Homemade Flour Tortillas
Sweet Cut Mangoes *
Organic Orange Segments *
Spring Gourmet Salad *
Greek Salad *
Arugula, Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad *
Summerhill Chocolate Chunk Cookies *
John Kelly Chocolates’ Truffle Fudge Bites – Peanut Butter with Himalayan Pink Salt
Cantucci Artigianali Toscani’s La Molina *
Summerhill Cheese Straws *
Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water
Synergy Cosmic Cranberry Kombucha Drink
Summerhill Market’s Own Organic Orange Juice *
Mamma Chia Cranberry Lemonade
Siggi’s Icelandic Style Skyr Strained Not-Fat Yogurt – Plain, Orange & Ginger, Vanilla and Blueberry
Fage All Natural Low-Fat Greek Strained Yogurt – Cherry, Peach, Strawberry, Blueberry, Honey and Mango Guanabana *
Chobani Greek Yogurt – Mango Low-Fat, Strawberry Non-Fat
