Before helming the kitchen behind one of Dundas West's hottest restaurants, Patois, Craig Wong was a teenage boy in Scarborough who fell in love with his best friend Ivy.
How they met
Funny you ask, this is an ongoing debate between us since we both remember it differently! We met at age 14, I was with some buddies playing basketball/trying to look cool, and Ivy came over to watch with her friends/trying to look even cooler than me!
According to Ivy, we met at a bus stop near Birchmount Road and Steeles Avenue and we were introduced by a mutual friend. We all lived in the same neighbourhood in Scarborough.
The first date
Technically we were still only best friends on our first date. It was a Leafs game at the Gardens. My Mom got me two free Leafs tickets and I invited Ivy to come with me because she is a huge fan of the Maple Leafs.
It was so awkward! My dad gave us a ride to Finch Station so we could take the subway downtown. As we’re getting out of his car, he hands me $50 (a small fortune for me back then) and he says “Have fun kids! Make sure you buy your date some dinner!” My dad is the real life version of Eugene Levy in American Pie.
The courtship
I am very grateful that I’ve had my best friend with me by my side for more than half my life. We grew up and became adults together, we’ve experienced many joys and hardships through out these past 20 years.
The proposal
Ivy bought me one of my first professional cookbooks, The French Laundry. We dreamed of dining there but we were underage kids the first time we visited Napa Valley, so we checked out their garden and snuck (a.k.a. stole) a strawberry or two.
After I returned from France, we took a trip back to California. My chef at the time knew Chef Keller (of the French Laundry restaurant) well, and arranged our reservation for us. Midway into our 24 courses I asked her to take a walk with me. I proposed to Ivy in the same garden in front of the strawberry bushes.
Craig Wong and Ivy Lam on their wedding day. (Image: Tara McMullen)
The wedding
In 2011, we tied the knot at Sucrerie de la Montagne just outside of Montreal, Quebec. This sugar shack was the perfect setting for midnight pancakes and maple syrup, whole roasted suckling pigs, s’mores by the bonfire, wood fired oven baked bread, fiddlers and horses!
Their lives now
I’m at the helm of two restaurants on opposite sides of the world (one in Dubai) and Ivy is a super talented celebrity hair & makeup artist who travels for work as well. We both have very busy schedules and work at different times of the day. When we get time to ourselves, we love to dine out and check out the latest restaurants in Toronto’s food scene.
Their home
We’ve been living in the Trinity Bellwoods neighbouthood for close to 10 years. We love our Dundas and Bathurst community and surrounding businesses. Patois is around the corner from our home and it’s been a pleasure seeing the area develop and become such a vibrant strip. Thanks for showing us so much love!
Secret of success
Ivy and I are very different people by nature, we work well together and capitalize on each other’s strengths, and the end result is always better when we collaborate. I feel like we can accomplish anything we put our minds to.
We learn from one another and push each other to be better. Knowing that we have each other’s back makes it easier to discover new talents, overcome difficult situations and to take bigger risks.
Relationship advice
Communication is key, listen to the deeper meaning of what they’re trying to say. It’s not always literal. Have the patience to discuss for as long as it takes.
Respect each other as individuals first, love yourself before you can love someone else. Be tenacious, nothing valuable comes easily. Relationships are a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve made a commitment to one another and that comes before work, fun and whatever else we have going on.
Be transparent, we have no secrets from one another and discuss all matters, even when it’s uncomfortable. Be present and loyal.
