Try delicious foods from around the world this February.

Global Flavours returns for its sixth year, inviting the community to celebrate the incredible cultural diversity of St. Thomas and Elgin County. This month‑long culinary adventure, created in partnership with Railway City Tourism, Elgin County Tourism, and the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP), highlights the restaurants, bakeries, and cafés that bring global tastes to our region.

You’re sitting at the table, the hum of conversation wraps around you, glasses clink softly, the scent of fresh herbs roasting in the kitchen drifts your way. The craft cocktail you ordered is glowing under the warm, moody lighting. Your first sip is bright and fresh, with a hint of Ontario berries on your tongue, setting the stage for what’s to come.
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You hear “oh wow, that looks amazing,” from the guests that can’t help but stare. You look at your date, eyes widened as your server sets down a medium rare, dry-aged steak. The scent tempts you, but the seared crust seals the deal. You pick up your steak knife, secretly proud of the one you chose; now it’s just you and that perfect first bite. The knife slides through effortlessly, revealing the tender, rich interior. But what you’re tasting isn’t just a perfectly cooked steak — it’s the story of Ontario farmers and a kitchen committed to local ingredients.

​One of Ontario’s most unique music festivals—where families and friends meet on the farm—returns for its fifth year this summer. Middle River Music Fest takes place Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Common Ground Farm, offering a day of local music, land-based connection, and family-friendly activities just outside of St. Thomas.

Described by past attendees as calming, comfortable, and the highlight of their summer, Middle River Music Fest celebrates local music and food systems. It's a festival where you’re not just in the crowd—you’re part of the community.

Founded by Amanda DeVries and Gabe Fontana, the festival began with a simple but powerful idea: to give artists a stage and bring something meaningful to this little corner of Southwestern Ontario. Five years later, that idea has grown into an annual celebration of music, local food, and togetherness—all held on a working organic vegetable farm operated by Amanda's husband, Chris DeVries.

Taco House Co: Where Every Bite Tells a Story

If you've ever sat down at Taco House Co. in St. Thomas and taken that first bite of a soft corn tortilla, warm and fragrant, you've tasted more than food—you've tasted memory.

For owner Aurora Alcocer, food has always been more than a meal. It's a link to home. A rhythm. A ritual.

She grew up in Mexico eating tortillas with every meal, sometimes freshly made, sometimes wrapped around slow-cooked meats like barbacoa. Her dad would wake up before sunrise on Sundays, head out to a local street stand, and return with bags of barbacoa and warm tortillas. That smell would pull everyone from their bed to the kitchen table. It's those kinds of memories that shaped her menu—and her mission

There's something comforting about the smell of garlic, spice, and warmth drifting through the air as you walk down a quieter stretch of downtown St. Thomas. It's a scent that feels like home, even if you're not quite sure why. And if you follow it, chances are you'll find yourself at the doorstep of The Clay Oven—a restaurant that, while still relatively new to the local food scene, feels like it's always been here.

Get ready to have your heart warmed and your community brightened! The DeafBlind Ontario Services (DBOS) yarn bombing initiative is back for another year — and it’s more vibrant than ever, thanks to a beautiful and growing partnership with the talented knitting and crocheting crew from Royal Oak Senior Living.

​The humble baked potato has been a comfort food staple for centuries. Simple, filling, and endlessly adaptable, it's the kind of meal that shows up across cultures in one form or another. For many of us, it is often loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream and served as a side at a backyard BBQ or steakhouse dinner. But these versatile, nutritious powerhouse plants take on an entirely different personality depending on where you enjoy them.

From Frozen Treats to Community Staple: The Evolution of The Ice Box

When The Ice Box opened its doors in 2020 on Ross Street, the goal was simple: bring high-quality frozen yogurt to St. Thomas. Fast forward a few years, and this small business has become something much bigger—an artisan ice cream maker and, now, the official concession operator for the City of St. Thomas. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, growth, and, most importantly, a deep connection with the local community.

Try delicious foods from around the world this February. The community is invited to take part in “Global Flavours”, a joint initiative with the local tourism boards and the St. Thomas-Elgin Immigration Partnership. Visit participating cultural and/or immigrant-owned restaurants and check in using an app or a paper “passport”. If you visit at least two restaurants (or the same one twice), you’ll be eligible for the prize draw. When you can enjoy great food, support local restaurants, and win prizes, it's a win-win-win!

Global Flavours is celebrating its 5th year. It began as an initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic, when restaurants were hit particularly hard by the pandemic restrictions. February is a notably slow month for restaurants as it is, and with Covid-19, many were struggling even more. Simultaneously, we were seeing an increase in diversity in our region and wanted to celebrate the richness and vibrancy that a diversity of people (and foods) brings to our area. Thus, Global Flavours was born.