Big things are brewing in Peterborough and The Kawarthas. The tourism board, alongside some seriously creative Canada Parks staff and a trio of renegade chefs have created an unforgettable experience at the Peterborough Lift Lock.

For most of its life, the lock’s dual lifts were the highest hydraulic boat lifts in the world, raising boats 65 ft. “Under Water Dining @ Lock 21” — a working title — is slated to hit market in the fall of 2016. The unusual experience takes a small group of canoe and engineering enthusiasts through the locks in a voyageur canoe before hosting them for a 5 course dinner under the locks. You read that right, UNDER the locks.

Peterborough chefs collective, Tres Hombres, then serves up a locally sourced meal, complete with Ontario wine pairings and white table cloths for guests underneath the still operating locks. Guides tell ghost stories and explain the history of the 65 foot structure while guests enjoy the perfectly plated feast.

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So what can you expect from this fantastical meal? For starters, expect lots of celebrated products from the Kawarthas. Our group feasted on Linwood Acres trout, wild rice from the shores of Rice Lake, Viamede duck eggs, wild and farmed asparagus and loads of that famous cream. There was slow poached Ontario rhubarb infused with black pepper and beautiful hand cut beef tartare with lovage and parsley salad. For dessert, there were terrines of fresh Ontario strawberries with coriander and Crosswind Farms chevre.

It was definitely a meal to be remembered — and a glorious example of the kind of unique, creative and memorable products a region can create when they work as a community. We can’t wait to see it happen again!

About Peterborough & The Kawarthas

The people are down-to-earth. The beauty is breathtaking. The activities are endless. Find out more about this one-of-a-kind region here: thekawarthas.ca