Pembroke residents celebrating Canada Day at Waterfront Park will get a taste of local culinary talent during a new maple-inspired cookoff on July 1, 2026. Local restaurants and chefs will compete from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., serving up dishes that showcase maple, a signature flavour of the Ottawa Valley. The first 300 attendees can sample the creations for free and cast a vote for their favourite, with the winner announced at 3:50 p.m.
The cookoff is part of the City of Pembroke’s Canada Day festivities, which are presented by Steven and Julie’s No Frills. Support comes from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #72, Kings Sports Inc., Smitty’s Home Hardware, Sunbelt Rentals, and the Government of Canada.
Waterfront Park, with its Riverwalk Amphitheatre, boardwalk, and marina, has been a community hub since it was unveiled on Canada Day 2000. The park was built largely by volunteers, service clubs, and local businesses as a millennium project, and today it draws thousands of residents and visitors to the annual celebration.
This year’s cookoff highlights the region’s maple syrup heritage. The Ottawa Valley is home to producers like Mapleside Sugar Bush, a family-run operation near Pembroke that has earned awards for its syrup. The maple theme gives chefs a chance to get creative with a local ingredient that defines the area.
While the full list of participating restaurants has not been released, Pembroke’s dining scene includes spots like The Butcher’s Wife, Fresco’s Tap and Grill, Thai Gardens, Nomada Tacos, and Zaytouna. Many of these eateries have taken part in past community food events, such as the Multilicious passport program last summer.
Organized by the City of Pembroke Parks and Recreation Department, the cookoff adds a new layer to the traditional waterfront celebration. Residents can reach the department at 613-735-6821 ext. 1501 for more details.
