We Talk Chicken and Top Toronto Eats With Chef Cory Vitiello, Meghan Markle’s Ex

by Meghan McKenna March 6, 2018

Cory Vitiello’s name has appeared all over the headlines this year — and not just with links to his popular chicken recipe. The Canadian celebrity chef, known for his award-winning restaurant, The Harbord Room, now owns and operates Flock Rotisserie and Greens: four quick-service Toronto restaurants that offer fresh, tasty and healthy meals. He also happens to be the most recent ex-boyfriend of Meghan Markle. (The duo are said to have dated between 2014 and 2016, while Markle was filming Suits in Toronto.)

So, let’s just get this straight: Vitiello owns a chain of rotisserie chicken restaurants, and Prince Harry famously proposed to Meghan Markle while they were making a roast chicken dinner? “It’s just such a crazy thing!” I said over-enthusiastically to the Toronto chef over the phone, trying to sneak a touch at the touchy subject. It’s never fun to talk about your ex, and it’s especially not fun when your ex is the most talked about woman in the world.

“Yes,” he replied. At least he seemed to agree.”There’s a lot of that going around if you can imagine,” he continues, “and I appreciate the respect and privacy on both ends.” Fair enough. I stop prying, and ask about food. What kind of meals does the celebrity chef make when he’s at home? For himself, and perhaps, anyone else he may cook for?

“Definitely big bowl, colourful, textured salads are my thing,” Vitiello shares. “But I also like one-pot dishes for dinner parties. Braises, pastas, and anything that can be done quickly and easily, and take the pressure out of the cook host and let them be more engaged with their guests. Whatever can be done in one pot with a big reveal, but with limited time and effort.”

That last question was intended to lead into this next one. Per a coworker’s suggestion, I proceeded to ask Vitiello what meal he would prepare for a wedding reception. He laughed uncomfortably, I laughed uncomfortably, and he said: “I’m going to leave that one blank.”

I didn’t succeed in digging up any Meghan Markle drama, but I did leave the interview with Cory Vitiello’s ‘6ix Picks’ from Ritual Eats Week Toronto. Ritual, a social food ordering app that connects users to their favourite local eateries, is host to Toronto’s first digital food festival. From February 26th to March 9, participating restaurants will offer signature items up to half off on purchases made with Ritual and Apple Pay. Check out the gallery below for the celebrity chef’s curated selections from the virtual food fest’s signature offerings. Who knows, maybe Meghan Markle once grabbed take-out at one of these local quick eats!