The River District is home to many cafés and eateries, all independently owned, offering treats and eats of all kinds. To highlight some of the local fares, we at the River District have identified one common offering; Enter The Scone.
Scones are a humble food hailing from across the pond. The exact origin can’t be pinpointed but the first known print reference was in 1513 by a Scottish poet. The basic recipe calls for nothing more than grain, fat, and milk, but customization options are endless. Family recipes have been handed down for generations, and variations can now be found worldwide. Enjoyed sweet or savoury, at breakfast or teatime, this diverse fan favourite is a royal among the River District.
Now we call on you to determine which River District scone reigns supreme (at least for this year and based on one flavour per business). We undertook the arduous task of searching out these scones and reviewing them so you can best plan your attack when trying them yourself. It’s now up to you, go out and savour the scones listed below and judge for yourself. Come back and vote for the Owen Sound River District Best Scone.
On top of having an excuse to try all these incredible scones, every vote will be entered into a draw for a $100 River District Gift Certificate,
So, support your local businesses, go out and buy a scone, take a picture, tag the business, tag @RiverDistrictOS, and vote with the button below! Voting begins Monday, April 15th, to Wednesday, April 30th. This gives you enough time to try them all.
For full contest rules, please see the bottom of the page.
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PARTICIPANT: REACH Centre Grey BruceFLAVOUR: Maple BaconSalty and sweet, crunchy and soft, boy, don’t opposites attract. That’s exactly how we describe the maple bacon scone from the REACH Centre Grey Bruce. Not only is this scone pretty, but it also hits all the marks for anyone looking for breakfast, a little snack, or even dessert elevated with a scoop of ice cream and maple syrup drizzle. When you break open the scone, you are hit with the aroma of maple and a hint of smoke. At first bite, you think the scone is sweet forward, but the bacon's complexity shines through, making it easy to demolish one or seven. The REACH Centre has a variety of affirmative social enterprise programs aimed at providing transitional skill training in partnership with local organizations and businesses. These programs offer opportunities for social engagement, a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the community, and a great sense of accomplishment for participants. In addition to a shredding program, cleaning crew services, and caring crafts, the REACH Centre hosts coffee house pop-ups around the community. Mondays at places like the Professional Building, Nortowne Plaza, BDO and Bruce Grey Children and Family Services. Tuesdays, they are at the Grey County building, and Wednesdays, they are at the Owen Sound Police Station. The remaining stationary cafe for the month of April will be on Tuesday, April 23, at 2:00 pm at the REACH Centre. The REACH Shop is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This social enterprise project helps to fund the centre by selling truly creative and beautiful crafts, jewelry, food mixes and more. The REACH Centre will also be hosting its fundraising Race for REACH 5K on Saturday, May 4th, and on any given day, you can find them in and around our community running community projects such as Yellow Fish Road and leveraging the community clean up carts made available by the River District. Baking delicious scones to stay energized makes a lot of sense for this crew, and you can enjoy them, too. I know I did! Address: 369 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1L5 |
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PARTICIPANT: Sugar Dust BakingFLAVOUR: Two Time Winner - Lemon CranberryThere are fewer things that say spring like a lemon. One of the many reasons Sugar Dust has held the title of River District Scone for two years running. This classically made scone is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the tastebuds. Golden brown with a drizzle of lemon glaze, a sprinkle of coarse sugar, and plump cranberries adorning the top. I marvel at the falvour profile of the zest of lemon and tang of cranberry, and it is only made more delectable by the range in textures from crisp, crunchy, creamy, soft, moist, and tender. It is bright, clean, and energizing, and not a single crumb was left on the plate. “Soft, fresh, and bright, and exactly how you would picture a beautiful spring morning.” – me in 2023, and it is as true today as it was last year. Address: 271 9th Street East, OWEN SOUND, Ontario N4K 1N8 |
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PARTICIPANT: Frog Ponds CafeFLAVOUR: Apple BrieIndulging in the apple brie scone was a delightful journey through flavours! The moment I took my first bite, I was greeted by the perfect balance of sweetness from the tender apple and the subtle hint of savory goodness from the creamy brie. What struck me most was how the brie added a creaminess to the scone, making it unnecessary to add butter (although I never turn down butter). The scone itself was refined and showed a mastery of skill from the baker - moist yet crumbly, with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the savory brie. This scone left me longing for the next bite. Overall, this apple brie scone was a delightful treat that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a satisfying snack or a savoury breakfast. Its delicate balance of flavors is sure to leave you feeling pleasantly surprised and utterly satisfied. Address: 209 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 1L2 |
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PARTICIPANT: Palette Cafe @ Georgian Bay School of the ArtsFLAVOUR: Lemon CurrantThe lemon currant scone from Georgian Bay School of the Arts I indulged in was a delicate delight, a testament to the artistry found in culinary creations. With a subtle balance of tartness from the lemon and sweetness from the currants, each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors. What truly elevated the experience was when they took the time to warm it up, enhancing the scone's aroma and texture and bringing out its nuanced flavors even more, it also made me feel really special. In savoring this scone, I couldn't help but reflect on how culinary arts deserve their place alongside other art forms. Just as a painting evokes emotions or a piece of music stirs the soul, a perfectly crafted scone can evoke a sense of joy and appreciation for the creativity and skill that goes into its making. This humble pastry served as a reminder that artistry knows no bounds, whether it's expressed on a canvas, through music notes, or in the delicate crumb of a warm lemon currant scone. What is a currant, you may ask? Currants are members of the Ribes family of flowering shrubs that thrive in northern climates with warm summers and cold winters. The tiny berries grow in clusters on stems and are best when allowed to ripen on the plant. Currants have long been cultivated in Europe. They're prevalent in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and many varieties are native to North America. Turns out they are delicious, and that's coming from a picky eater! Address: 938 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H6 |
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PARTICIPANT: The Milk MaidFLAVOUR: Orange CranberryIndulging in the orange cranberry scone from The Milk Maid was nothing short of a delightful experience. As it arrived at my table, adorned with a vibrant orange slice and scattered cranberries, I couldn't help but admire the artistic touch that perfectly encapsulated the essence of this delectable treat. The orange cranberry scone is light and bright and yet, also somehow, substantial. It was impeccably moist, with a delicate crumble that added a satisfying texture to every mouthful. I consider myself a lucky one who was able to get it shortly after coming from the oven. But what truly elevated this culinary masterpiece was the irresistible drizzle that adorned its surface. A luscious cascade of sweetness beckoned like a citrus stream, tempting me to take a luxurious dip into its divine embrace (too much?). The balance of flavors and textures was nothing short of perfection, leaving me longing for just one more heavenly bite. Address: 947 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2H5 |
Full contest rules:
- You don't need to make a purchase, but it's a really good excuse to eat a bunch of scones and support your local shops!
- 1 vote per person per device, so share the contest, so other people vote too
- Tag @RiverDistrict on social media so we can see your scones!
- You must include your contact information on the voting platform, but it will only be used to contact you should you win the contest and not for any other purposes
- The contest closes on April 30th at 11:59 p.m.
- Winners will be drawn and contacted on May 1st
