For a unique take on a Thanksgiving treat, Grant van Gameren is joined by the Bristol’s Davy Love in tasting Toronto’s top turkey pot pies. Whose crust takes the gold? Find out here.
WINNER:
Summerhill Market, 446 Summerhill Ave., $29.99
Both chefs love the look of this pie, followed by the large chunks of turkey. “This one is good, it’s just missing a little salt and sage. I like the chunks, and it’s pretty rustic,” says van Gameren. “It really tastes like turkey,” says Love as he admires the golden crust.
SAVOURY SAGE
Medium Rare, 5241 Dundas St. W., $18.99
This pie almost stole the top spot by incorporating Love’s favourite ingredient. “I taste sage. Which I like, it’s important in a turkey pie,” says Love. “This one is a little bit more comforting tasting, and juicier, too,” says van Gameren.
SPICY SENSATION
Bruno’s Fine Foods, 9665 Bayview Ave., $11.99
The chefs can’t quite put their finger on the spice they taste in this pie, but they love it. “It’s got the most flavour, it’s tasty,” says van Gameren. Love agrees and adds, “It’s good, but it’s definitely not traditional.” Love also notes that the crust has “good colour, I like that egg wash.”
DILL-LICIOUS
Bread and Roses Bakery Cafe, 2232 Bloor St. W., $5.29
“I smell dill,” says van Gameren. “It’s got to be like dill or dried dill or something. I got a lot of dill on my nose.” While Love notices another ingredient that sets this pie apart from the other contenders, “It’s got big mushrooms,” he says.
CAPTAIN OF THE CRUST
McEwan’s Catering, 38 Karl Fraser Rd., $13.95
“It’s got the most caramelization in the crust,” says van Gameren, while Love agrees, “I was just about to say that, very nice crust.” As for the filling, van Gameren notes it’s “a little dry.” Love detects another ingredient: “There’s cheese in this pie for sure,” which he finds to be untraditional in a turkey pot pie.
POWERFUL PEAS
Hot Oven Bakery, 177 roncesvalles ave., $16
Though peas are van Gameren’s favourite ingredient in a pot pie, Love says, “The peas are really overpowering, but there are a lot of peas in here.” Both chefs like the top crust, but agree the pie should have a bottom crust as well. “You should be able to pick up a pie in one hand,” says Love.
MEATY AND MOIST
Pusateri’s, 57 Yorkville Ave., $13.99
“There’s no peas in it, and I like peas in a pot pie,” says van Gameren, while adding, “The turkey is pretty moist though.”
Chefs Grant van Gameren & Davy Love: British comfort food connoisseur Davy Love joins Grant van Gameren in sampling the city’s best turkey pot pies. Van Gameren says it’s all about the peas for him, but Love looks for sage and the perfect egg-washed crust.
