Down Home Farmhouse Restaurant: A Local, Foraged and Homegrown Culinary Experience

Let me begin by saying that Down Home is not actually a traditional restaurant, rather, it is a unique local culinary experience located in a farmhouse in Grey County. When I first saw the photos on their social media page, showcasing stunning tablescapes and locally sourced ingredients plated in the most beautiful creative ways, I knew I had to book.

Hannah Harradine and Joel Grey, the couple behind this business, are passionate about featuring locally sourced ingredients from Simcoe and Grey Counties. Meeting in 2018 they started a relationship of their own and started dreaming about sharing their passion for local, foraged and homegrown food with others. In the summer of 2019 Down Home was born, originally under the name of Sumac + Salt, and allowed them to quit their jobs in the traditional restaurant industry and pursue their dream full time.

Down Home’s multi-course tasting menus focus on local and seasonal products from farmers, food producers as well as foraged and often preserved foods from the area. These intimate dining experiences are hosted for a small number of guests out of their farm house in Markdale Ontario.

One of the highlights of these dinners is listening to Joel and Hannah share stories of how the products in each recipe were grown, the vision of the local producers, how the animals were raised and regenerative farming practices. Hannah and Joel truly tell the stories of these farmers and food producers through their food. Delicious food, stunning plating and ambiance aside, it is these stories and the description of relationships and connections with the food producers that makes this experience truly unique.

It is also FeastON certified, a certification that I often seek out when planning travels within Ontario. Businesses with this certification are recognized for their use of Ontario sourced food and drink. In fact, they not only meet the criteria for Ontario produced ingredients, but far exceed it with almost all of their meal components being sourced locally.

When you speak to Hannah and Joel and watch them at work in the kitchen, you can truly feel the love and care they put into their craft. This is one local experience not to be missed. Give them a follow on their Facebook or Instagram accounts and see what they’re up to!