FIND a secret garden in Wellington Village
You’ve heard of “farm-to-table” cuisine? Well for the owners of Supply and Demand Foods & Raw Bar restaurant, it feels only natural to have the “farm” so close, it is literally within reach of some of the tables.
That’s because Chef Steve Wall grew up in Newfoundland spending many happy hours in his family’s backyard rhubarb and berry patch. Meanwhile his wife Jen’s first job was at a small local restaurant in Florenceville, New Brunswick, in the heart of potato country. Her job was to greet farmers dropping off potatoes at the back door in exchange for a free meal, then she’d get busy peeling all those potatoes. She loved the culture of talking with and getting to know the farmers.
Fast forward to this spring when Steve and Jen asked a friend to help them create a small outdoor garden installation in front of their restaurant. While it was initially all about the aesthetic of greenery, they knew planters packed with edibles would make sense and they’ve been enjoying reaping the bounty – especially lettuces and herbs – all summer long.
The unexpected bonus: much like Maritime vegetable patches which are planted at the front of properties so gardeners can shoot the breeze with passersby, Supply and Demand’s planters have been building community all summer long. Jen’s been amazed at the number of people stopping by to chat as she tends her plants, including folks who tell her they paid their first ever visit to the restaurant because they were charmed by the tiny garden.
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Keyword tags: WWBIA, Wellington West, Ottawa, restaurant, Supply and Demand, garden, local, local finds, local business, shop local, local food, fresh food