Joel Gray

It’s been 7 years since we started our business out of a one bedroom apartment, popping up all over the county just chasing a dream and a wish. We have now been open as Down Home for almost 4 years and we can’t believe what this small idea has turned into. We have an amazing team who make it possible @aberdeenacreshomestead @myellesf @charliebiggar @mooresmarketgarden @bortgabel and special thanks to @elitayl0r for his year spent with us. We are so grateful to everyone in our lives who have helped and guided us through these last years. We are continually in awe that people take the time to find us out in rural Grey County - we are beyond grateful. To have landed as #39 on @canadasbest100 makes us so dang proud. We did it!!!

We’re Hiring a Pastry Chef / Prep Cook Down Home continues to be a small, thoughtful space. We’re hoping to find someone who wants to be part of that in a real way. Our menus are rooted in seasonality, preservation, and a deep respect for ingredients — many grown or sourced close to home. This role moves fluidly between pastry, preparation, and preserving, and is ideal for someone who values care, intention, and detail. Our team is small but mighty, each role as important as the next, we are looking to add to the rhythm of our kitchen as we expand our offerings here at Down Home. Having kitchen experience is a must and pastry focused would be an ideal candidate. 4 days a week daytime hours. If you’re thoughtful, curious, and excited to grow within a close-knit team, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share with folks you think may be a good fit, we love meeting like minded people. Please send a note about yourself and resume to [email protected]

The upcoming feature of the Best Restaurants of Ontario series is Down Home Restaurant by Chef Joel Gray and Hannah Harradine in Markdale. . . The couple previously worked at a traditional restaurant but escaped together to start Sumac & Salt, a pop-up venture that served meals on a farm. . . In 2022, they turned that business into Down Home Restaurant, where they literally opened their home for diners to enjoy incredible meals. . . The entire property has over 100 acres of land. They use it to grow vegetables and raise animals, then turn them into ingredients. In addition, they also forage and procure from surrounding partners. It is truly a farm-to-table and eat local experience. . . In 2024, Down Home was named a Michelin recommended restaurant and has retained that distinction in 2025. It is a well-deserved accolade that shows the love of and commitment to their work. . . As usual, like and share this video - and look out for a show-and-tell by Chef Gray in a couple of days! . . @downhomerestaurant @michelinguide @ontariotravel @ontarioculinary @tourismeontario @canadasbest100 #stovesidestories #bestrestaurantsinontario

So excited to welcome our friend @mattmatt_taylor from @affinityfish for a very special evening @downhomerestaurant This will be one event you won’t wanna miss !

A happiness I’ll never forget ❤️ a little love for the cocktail hour. Our beautiful pals @kvasfbco made a few garden inspired cocktails - everyone was obsessed! @fatrabbit with the hanging mortadella and melty cheese I’ll never recover from. @thebivalve shucking oysters and the most delicious lobster rolls. @thehummingbyrds playing some bluegrass in the garden - it doesn’t get any better than this. 📸 @howdypictures forever grateful for you two

A few moments from our wedding day. I’m calling this part 1 - the getting ready, the ceremony, the beautifully cheesy stuff we embraced on this day and I’m so glad we did. We wrote our own vows and I wrote a poem for Harper that’s called “Sundays are my favourite day” Everything everyone says about weddings are true - it goes by too quickly and it feels like a dream. I couldn’t have asked for a better day, it truly was the happiest day of my life. I love my family, I love my friends, I love my life. I’m so blessed. @howdypictures thank you for capturing us to our soul, we absolutely love you. The fact that this is only the film also blows me away - you are complete pros and it’s an honour to have RockRoll in our lives ❤️❤️❤️❤️

May always hits differently. So many great food memories !

Something special is on the way 🤌🏾 Back at one of my favourites place to document. @downhomerestaurant This one gonna be special In the meantime, enjoy @joelgray6 prepping this duck to perfection #greycounty #torontovideographer #michelinguide #visitgrey #cinematographer #downhomerestaurant #finedinning #torontochef

To say we are STOKED to welcome the one and only @christineanneflynn and her hubby @_drftr_ Down Home would be a huge understatement. Join us February 8th for an East Coast inspired Kitchen Party as we welcome Christine Flynn. Christine is a celebrated multi-talented and classically trained chef and award winning author [A Generous Meal, How to Eat With One Hand]. We will also be welcoming her husband Oscar @_drftr_ who will be strumming some sweet sounds during the evening. TICKETS and details go live on SUNDAY Jan 5th at noon through Open Table.

Happy anniversary @hnnhharradine Can’t imagine a day without you. Thank you for making my life complete, Loving me unconditionally and putting up with my craziness. ❤️❤️❤️

Tenderloin & Jowl, Rutabaga, Poblano, Shishito & Eggplant