Holiday Hosting Made Simple: New Marché Leo’s at Toronto’s Waterfront & Caramelized Carrot Recipe 🥕
Hosting for the holidays is a tradition we all love, but the stress of preparing a full turkey dinner can often feel overwhelming.
This year, I discovered the ultimate secret to achieving "Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact" for my festive gathering.
My secret weapon? The brand-new Marché Leo’s marketplace located at 1 Edgewater Drive in the heart of the Toronto Waterfront.
A New Culinary Destination in Toronto
If you are looking for a premium Toronto grocery store, the new Marché Leo’s Waterfront location is an absolute must-visit. It isn't just a grocery store; it is an elevated, curated destination designed to make high-quality hosting accessible!
Marché Leo’s has built a reputation on their "Tradition you can taste" philosophy. Unlike big-box chains, they specialize in small-batch, artisanal foods that are family-approved and locally sourced.
By shopping here, you are also supporting Canadian initiatives and local family farms.
The Menu: Gourmet Prepared Catering Meets Homemade Charm
For my holiday spread, I wanted a balance of professional catering and personal touches. Marché Leo’s offers a one-stop shop experience where you can find everything from a bakery and café to premium groceries.
I picked up a Marché Leo’s Prepared All-Natural Whole Turkey. This is a game-changer for Toronto holiday catering - it is affordable, ready-made, and tastes exactly like you spent all day in the kitchen. They also have plenty of great prepared food options - I picked up mashed potatoes, pilaf rice, marinated meatballs, roasted potatoes and more!
Flowers - they had a wide variety of fresh festive flowers, so I made sure to pick up a small bouquet for the centrepiece.
The Signature Side: I used their fresh produce section to grab ingredients for my new obsession: Caramelized Candied Carrots. I love how adding one personal homemade dish brings the whole experience together - it adds that special touch without the stress of doing everything yourself!
The Board: For an easy appetizer, I assembled a board using their Hot Genoa charcuterie and premium cheeses, including: Castello's Extra Creamy Brie with Chili 🌶 , Jesse Tree's Medley Olives and Marc Angelo's Charcuterie Italiano.
The Sips: No holiday table is complete without the perfect pairing. I served Carl Jung Rosé and kept Fever-Tree mixers on hand for effortless holiday cocktails. My family doesn't drink alcohol, so they loved the non-alcoholic bevvies! Carl Jung is a great non-alcoholic brand and I couldn't get enough of Fever-Tree's Elderflower Tonic Water and the their Ginger Beer (that was my dad's favourite!)
Signature Caramelized Candied Carrots
Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 25-30 mins
The Ingredients
All of these can be found at the new Marché Leo’s Waterfront location to ensure that "tradition you can taste" quality:
Organic Carrots: Preferably the sweet, vibrant ones you picked out at the market.
Fresh Rosemary & Thyme: For that aromatic, earthy holiday scent.
Dried Cranberries: To add a festive pop of tartness and color.
Toasted Pecans: For a necessary crunch and nutty finish.
The Glaze: A simple mix of olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and cracked pepper.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Carrots: Wash and peel your organic carrots. If they are large, slice them in half lengthwise to ensure they caramelize evenly.
Toss and Coat: Place the carrots in a white ceramic baking dish. Drizzle generously with olive oil and honey, then toss with salt, pepper, and your fresh thyme sprigs.
Roast to Perfection: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes. You want them tender with slightly charred, caramelized edges.
The Festive Toppings: Remove from the oven and, while still hot, sprinkle the dried cranberries and toasted pecans over the top so they slightly soften and stick to the glaze.
The Garnish: Add fresh rosemary sprigs right before serving for that final "chef's kiss" aesthetic and a beautiful aroma on the table.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you need a full prepared turkey dinner, fresh florals for your centerpiece, or unique gourmet pantry staples, Marché Leo’s at 1 Edgewater Dr is your new go-to for effortless hosting.
Stop by the Waterfront to experience a market that truly understands the beauty of sharing good food with the people you love!
Find your nearest location : Marcheleos.com