Every meal tells a story at Rampant Kitchen in Frontenac County

Think about a meal you still remember.

It might have been shared around a family table, celebrated at a wedding or enjoyed with friends after a day exploring Frontenac County. At Rampant Kitchen, chef Elisa Corrigan believes those moments deserve a menu that's as memorable as the occasion itself.

From private chef dinners and catered celebrations to hands-on cooking classes, Rampant Kitchen offers you a chance to experience Frontenac County through seasonal ingredients, local farms and the stories shared around the table.

Located about 20 minutes north of Kingston, Frontenac County is about two hours from Ottawa and roughly three hours from both Toronto and Montreal, making it an easy getaway for food lovers looking to savour the region.

"I feel like food holds a lot of memories for us," Elisa said. "Using fun callbacks to our favourite tastes is always a nice way to make a menu immersive and full circle."

That idea shapes every menu she creates.

When couples book Rampant Kitchen for their wedding, Elisa often asks about the meals that mean the most to them.

"Is there a meal you had together that you will always remember? What's the first thing you cooked together?"

Those conversations become part of the planning, creating meals that reflect the people gathered around the table.

That appreciation for food began long before Elisa became a chef.

She grew up in Binbrook, Ont., (near Hamilton) surrounded by her mother's kitchen garden, where tomatoes, homemade jams and pickles, fresh vegetables and visits to local farms were part of everyday life. Her first part-time job was at the town feed store and garden centre, reinforcing the connection between the people who grow food and the families who enjoy it.

"I am a large supporter of small businesses," she said. "They are the backbone of smaller communities, and the easiest way to do that is to put our money where our mouth is."

After moving to Toronto in 2005 to attend university, Elisa built her culinary career one kitchen at a time, moving between restaurants to learn new techniques before opening The Green Wood with a business partner in 2016.

A few years later, life looked different.

She welcomed her first daughter as the pandemic began, earned a business certificate while raising her young family, then moved to Frontenac County in 2022. Soon after arriving, she and her husband learned they were expecting their second daughter.

The move also gave Elisa the opportunity to rethink what a career in hospitality could look like.

"Hospitality is a hard industry as a woman, and as a mom, I found it even harder," she said. "I knew that if I wanted to continue my passion of cooking, and also be a present parent and partner, I had to create it."

Rampant Kitchen started during maternity leave. Elisa scheduled meal deliveries around her daughter's naps, often letting her sleep in the car while she dropped off prepared meals.

"It was a lot of planning, timing and passion, and an incredibly supportive husband," she said.

She credits the Frontenac community for helping the business grow.

"The community has been incredibly welcoming. I really can't express my appreciation and gratitude," she said. "I have been able to connect with so many wonderful farmers, chefs, and makers. We are so happy to have settled in Frontenac."

Those connections continue to influence every menu.

Elisa works with local farmers and producers, building meals around what's growing throughout the season. Spring brings ramps and asparagus. Summer follows with peas, strawberries, raspberries and sweet corn.

"My summer salad changes all summer depending on whether it's Canada Day or Labour Day, but it's always a great showcase of what's in season," she said.

That commitment to local food has earned Rampant Kitchen Feast On® certification, recognizing businesses that showcase Ontario-grown food and drink.

If you're looking for an experience to share with family or friends, Elisa also offers private cooking classes where everyone gathers around the table after preparing the meal together.

"Some of our past private classes have left me laughing as much as cooking," she said. "The groups are always ready to learn a new skill, and it's good to remember that cooking should be fun and tasty."

Each class ends with an open question-and-answer session.

"My goal is that people leave full, and have learned something," Elisa said. "I always have an 'ask anything' session after students eat. There are no stupid questions, just knowledge to learn and share."

Rampant Kitchen continues to grow. Elisa said she hopes to expand into commercial food products, create local jobs and eventually establish a permanent home with a kitchen garden, seasonal dinners, cooking demonstrations and community events.

"Food is all about connection, storytelling, sharing culture and learning, and I don't ever want to stop learning," she said.

If you're planning a visit to Frontenac County, leave room for one more stop.

As Elisa puts it: "Go to your local farmers’ market. Stop by the roadside stand selling wild blueberries and sourdough. Eat a tomato warm from the sun with a little salt."

Plan your visit

Learn more about Rampant Kitchen, book a private chef experience or cooking class, or inquire about catering at rampantkitchen.com.

Follow Rampant Kitchen on Instagram at @rampantkitchen and on Facebook at Rampant Kitchen for seasonal menus, upcoming classes and special events.

Cover image: Fire Masters Chef - courtesy of Nikki Ray Media