If there's one brand that’s synonymous with the marriage of form and function, it's Mercedes-Benz. That's just one reason why it made sense for the iconic global brand to team up with The MICHELIN Guide for the A Taste of the Future dining series, which celebrates the relationship between tradition and innovation that exists in the culinary arts as well as automotive engineering.
The dining series pairs chefs from Canadian MICHELIN-Starred restaurants with emerging culinary talents to create unique menus inspired by Mercedes-Benz technology, aesthetics, and sustainability. “From the first Motorwagen all the way through to today’s all-electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has always been fuelled by a pioneering spirit. In partnership with the MICHELIN Guide, we’re proud to work with chefs who share that spirit to create unique and unforgettable dining experiences,” said Andreas Tetzloff, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "A Taste of the Future reflects our commitment to sustainability, while allowing us to create stand-out moments that are uniquely Mercedes-Benz," added Tetzloff.
The series kicked off in Toronto in 2024, at the renowned FRILU restaurant, which not only earned One MICHELIN Star but is also the only restaurant in Canada to receive a MICHELIN Green Star in recognition of its sustainable practices. The event saw FRILU's Executive Chef John-Vincent Troiano team up with Chef Joel Gray and Hannah Harradine, co-founders of Down Home, a farm-to-table restaurant in Grey County, Ontario. Committed to highlighting hyper-local produce, Gray and Harradine brought this approach to their collaboration with Troiano, whose restaurant earned its MICHELIN Green Star for its use of local no-till farm ingredients and zero-waste kitchen practices. The chefs combined their visions to create a multi-course tasting menu inspired by Mercedes-Benz, including a dish that paid homage to Mercedes-Benz's iconic three-pointed star by featuring ingredients that represented "Land, Sea, and Air." Chef Troiano noted, "crafting our menu on the key themes that are driving the future of Mercedes-Benz has been a phenomenal experience. [Their] luxurious electric vehicles have been a rich source of inspiration."
Overall, the evening was a triumph; a memorable culinary journey that championed sustainable practices from producer to plate. "We're immensely grateful to Mercedes-Benz for shining a light on our dedication to sustainable fine dining," said Harradine, adding, "it’s been inspiring to uncover more about our shared commitment to innovation and excellence, and to see how that commitment comes through in the final product."
These themes of technology, aesthetics, and sustainability will be further explored through more exciting culinary creations at upcoming A Taste of the Future dining events in Vancouver and Montreal.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz Canada's A Taste of the Future dining series, click here.
Hero image: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Canada
