North of Here, a Canadian hospitality collaborative founded by chef Roland Torok-Ducharme, has launched a series of do-it-yourself meal kits inspired by Michelin-starred restaurants.
“The art of fine dining is in designing unique dishes, selecting spectacular ingredients and the key is preparation. All of which I have done, to make it easy for our guests to put it together and take all of the credit, and I’m okay with that,” says Torok-Ducharme.
After honing his culinary skills abroad in Europe and Asia, Torok-Ducharme, who grew up in Montreal, went on to work in some of the most renowned Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, including Paris’ Lasserre, as well as London’s Petrus and the Square. His style of cuisine is inspired by his experience in fine dining.
“When shelter-in-place started to happen and the city’s restaurants were shut down, I wanted to create a way where people could still enjoy fine dining from the comfort of their home,” he says. “I find that take out or delivery leaves something to be desired with the presentation and the challenge of keeping the dishes at the temperatures a chef would want.”
North of Here handles 90 per cent of the prep work required to execute the meals and leaves the fun part to the diner. Each meal kit comes with a recipe card and fresh ingredients, making it the perfect date night idea, or solution for those who miss the traditional elements of fine dining.
Much like a regular restaurant, North of Here’s menu rotates monthly, and always includes a vegan option. For January, a sample of savoury dishes includes beef tartare, beetroot tartare and salmon rillette for the appetizer, followed by lobster, short rib and squash for the main.
“We want our food to be cooked by people that have elevated tastes and culinary abilities, but maybe can’t get those ingredients, or don’t have the time to cook elaborate meals or are just bored of cooking the same kind of food after nine months of being trapped at home,” adds Bailey Singer, head of operations for North of Here.
North of Here accepts orders on its DIY meal kits Sunday through Thursday with delivery beginning on Saturday. They are currently working on a new menu that will launch Jan. 17th.
Appetizers range from between $20-$28 and entrees go from $50-$80. To see a full list of available meal kits, click here.
