It was William Shakespeare who asked the eternal question, "What's in a name?" Well, if you're the folks at All The Best Fine Foods, the answer is, "Everything!" At this long-standing Toronto institution, the phrase "all the best" is much more than just a name, it's the guiding principle for all that they do.

Occupying three full store-fronts along the block of Yonge Street at Summerhill, once referred to as the "Golden Inch" by food writer James Chatto, All The Best has earned the title of "Gourmet's Paradise". Bakery, sweet shop, dry goods store, gift boutique, cheese parlour, prepared foods store, caterer/event planner and gift basket service - they do it all.

While they have never lost sight of their goal over the past twenty years, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jane Rodmell and Chief Operating Officer, Sue Bowman along with all their staff have been reinvigorated by the new energy in their neighbourhood. Business and residential development abound and many new customers are discovering what loyal clientele have known for years; what you get here really is the BEST.

Their bakery is reminiscent of a Parisian boulangerie. Open shelves are filled with a huge variety of baked goods from all over. Gourmet boules of Marc Thuet's sourdough - starter all the way from France, hearty fruit and nut loaves from David's, Ace Bread's baguette - still arguably the best in the city, are just a few of the things to be found. But don't forget the stellar baking All The Best does in its own kitchens - chocolate chunk cookies as big as your hand, glistening fruit tarts, addictive cheese straws and cupcakes that will make anyone feel like a kid again.

Adjacent to the bakery is the gift boutique, where Giftware Manager, Kat Roy, showcases the finest items to complement your home and garden, take the stress out of entertaining, or make choosing the perfect gift a breeze. When you're looking for just the right pair of tapers to put on the table for that romantic dinner for two, an original hostess gift for the friends that always invite you to their cottage, or that potpourri which transports you to the south of France, you'll find it here.

Whether you love to cook or just love to eat, All The Best will inspire both your imagination and your appetite. Peruse the shelves for unique products from all over the globe - organic virgin olive oils from Italy, preserves from France and sweet, smoked paprika from Spain. But not everything is from so far afield. For example, Minus 8 vinegar from right here in Ontario is sold exclusively at All The Best. This one of a kind product is made from the ice wine our own Niagara region is famous for. Named for the ideal temperature at which the ice wine grape is plucked from the vine, Minus 8 is aged for an incredible 11 years. Producing only 5000 bottles per year, the company numbers each bottle of the liquid gold.

Interested in hanging up your apron for the night? Their prepared foods, available either fresh or frozen, offer the highest quality dishes without the work. Menus change daily but some customer favourites include herb grilled chicken breasts, Moroccan lamb stew, Indian butter chicken and traditional Shepherd's pie. Along with a wide variety of salads and side dishes, any of their fantastic entrées would make a winning meal.

When it comes to dairy products, All The Best takes things very seriously. Organic milk, yogurt, butter and ice cream fill the cooler, but their cheese cases are truly something to behold. A gorgeous orange Mimolette from France, creamy Taleggio from Italy, ash-covered goat's milk logs from Quebec, not to mention rich bries, stinky blues, and nutty Swiss fill the temperature controlled display cases. Try something new, stick to what you love, or let the knowledgeable staff help you put together the perfect cheese course.

Behind the scenes, the catering department and gift basket service buzz with corporate and private orders that keep them hopping. Catering Manager, Bob Lamont, oversees the catering and event planning division. From board meetings to Bar Mitzvahs, All The Best delivers the same impeccable quality food and service as customers find in their store. Working mainly out of their 4000 square foot kitchen at their Leaside location, Bob and his staff do all the work so the client doesn't have to. Not just caterers, they do full-service event planning, coordinating everything from rentals and staffing to décor and entertainment.

Giving the very best is easy with one of All The Best's gorgeous gift baskets. Choose one of the standard baskets offered or have something customized by Gift Basket/Packaging Manager, Brenda Lanfranco. Contents can include anything you can imagine - sweet to savoury, fresh to packaged, imported to domestic. A basket from All The Best is the perfect gift for any occasion.

So don't wait any longer to discover what so many loyal customers have known for years; when you shop at All The Best Fine Foods what you get is nothing but the BEST!

All The Best Fine Foods
1099 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
Phone: 416.928.3330
Web site: www.allthebestfinefoods.com