On the 8th of April, Mayor John Tory announced the City of Toronto’s popular Summerlicious program is returning this summer from August 12 to 28. Summerlicious 2022 has been designed to make it easier for restaurants to participate and to encourage more Toronto residents to dine-in and celebrate the city’s diverse culinary scene.
Mayor Tory was joined by Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre) and Chef John Higgins, Director of George Brown Chef School, at The Chefs’ House at 215 King St. E. to announce that Toronto’s favourite summer foodie event will be back.
This year’s Summerlicious program aims to support the recovery and revival of Toronto’s restaurant scene while providing the enticing experiences and delectable food that restaurant-goers have come to expect from the popular Summerlicious program. The program has been renewed to help the local industry generate much-needed revenue while also encouraging and building confidence in people so that they choose to safely enjoy indoor and patio dining again. Summerlicious was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with CaféTO, Summerlicious is another City-led support program for local restaurants. Rolling out this August, Summerlicious will help drive business to local restaurants, protecting jobs and contributing to the growth and sustainability of the industry’s workforce.
Based on feedback from the industry, the City has made significant changes to Summerlicious this year to make it easier for restaurants to participate, including:
- New timing; Summerlicious will run August 12 to 28 this year
- Waived fees for all participating restaurants
- Greater flexibility for restaurants to set menus and price points
- Simplified online application
Restaurants interested in participating in the Summerlicious 2022 program should review the program overview, criteria, application and registration process before submitting the online application. Applications will be accepted April 14 to 29. Confirmation of participation in Summerlicious 2022 will be provided mid-May.
The Winterlicious and Summerlicious programs began in 2003 as a way to boost Toronto’s restaurant industry during historically slow periods of business. In the years since the programs’ inception, participating restaurants have served more than 7.9 million meals, generating more than $353 million in economic activity for the local restaurant industry.
More information about Summerlicious 2022 restaurant participation is available at Toronto.ca/licious. Residents can follow Summerlicious on Twitter 
Quotes:
“I am delighted that Summerlicious – a favourite amongst foodies in the city – will return in August. While restaurants have been hard hit through this pandemic, we haven’t stopped finding new and innovative ways to support these business owners and keep people working – including with this free and improved Summerlicious program. With incredible restaurants across Toronto and diverse cuisine options to choose from, there’s something for everyone. I encourage Toronto residents to continue supporting and celebrating the revival of Toronto restaurants by safely joining friends and dining in locally to sample the diverse culinary offerings Toronto restaurants have to offer.”
– Mayor John Tory
“It is wonderful to be able to dine at all of our favourite local restaurants again, and Summerlicious makes experiencing Toronto’s world class culinary scene even more appealing. I encourage Toronto residents across the city to take full advantage of the 17-day Summerlicious event and continue to support their amazing local restaurants.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
“I’m so excited to see the return of Summerlicious! I encourage eligible restaurants throughout the city to apply so that everyone will once again dine and enjoy the taste of our multicultural city this August. As the only student-run, fine dining restaurant in downtown Toronto, Chefs’ House restaurant at George Brown College, looks forward to being a part of the city’s favourite food event.”
– Chef John Higgins, Director, Centre of Hospitality & Culinary Arts, George Brown College and Winterlicious/Summerlicious Advisory Board member
