Destination Toronto brought its largest UK mission in recent years to London last month, hosting more than 100 media, travel advisors and business event professionals for an evening of food, drink and conversation at 83 Rivington Street in Shoreditch. The venue, a former nightclub, set the tone well — featuring exposed brick, red lighting and plenty of energy. Screens around the room showcased the city’s neighbourhoods, food scene and cultural offerings, giving guests a sense of Toronto before the canapés had even arrived.
Two of Toronto’s most celebrated chefs flew in to cook on the night. Craig Wong, owner of Patois and AYLA and a judge on MasterChef Canada, served jumbo roasted scallop with Jamaican oxtail and celeriac, fillet-o-shrimp bao with buttery shrimp croquette, and a buttered potato croquette. Eric Chong, Michelin Guide Young Chef of the Year 2025 and the only chef in Canada operating both a Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurant, offered up a tom yum sphere with Kaviari Kristal Caviar, langoustine laksa with silver needle noodles and coconut foam, and a scallop ceviche with finger lime and kinome.
Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, welcomed guests with a speech that addressed the current moment directly. “When we say we come from Toronto with love, it’s because, frankly, the world needs a little bit of that right now,” he said, noting that while much of the world is turning inward, Toronto has made a deliberate choice to remain open. For MICE planners in the room, his message was clear: “When you choose Toronto for your event, your attendees will feel welcome. When you’re in Toronto, everyone comes from everywhere, so there’s probably a little slice of home waiting for them.”
The evening also included a prize draw courtesy of Air Canada, with three trips to Toronto up for grabs. The week’s wider programme, coordinated in partnership with Destination Ontario and Destination Toronto’s UK offices including Black Diamond Agency, MMGY Global and AbleMaxx Limited, also featured a panel discussion at Canada House the following day. The UK is one of Toronto’s top international markets, with the city recording 12% growth from British visitors in 2025.