Famous chef opening new Ontario pizza restaurant

A chef who's received international acclaim is setting his sights on Ontario as he gears up to open a new pizza spot in a historic location.

From competing on The Next Iron Chef, appearing as a guest judge on Master Chef and collaborating with a slew of Michelin star-wielding chefs, it's fair to say that Chef Tony Bish has more than made his mark on the global culinary scene.

He's a Cordon Bleu-Dusit graduate, and has gained experience working in kitchens from Brisbane to Phuket, and even spent time cooking for the Royal Family of Thailand, on top of being the driving force behind a major pizzeria named one of the 50 best in the world.

Now, he's gearing up for his latest — albeit somewhat unexpected — move: a solo venture in Elora, Ontario called Tony's Sourdough Pizzeria.

The pizzeria is something of a love letter to Tony's grandmother, with every pie crafted using the sourdough starter recipe she created and passed down to generations of his family.

"I'm bringing everything I've learned around the world back to a single wood-burning Pavesi oven in Elora that we specially imported from Italy," says Tony.

"This place isn't just about pizza, it's about dough, process, family, and purpose. We aim to utilize incredible local Elora ingredients all over the menu. We're honouring the pizza classics - and I'm also excited to reveal distinct flavour combinations to my pies that we'll rotate to continue surprising guests."

 The distinct flavour combinations in question include specials like "The Umami," with gruyere, smoked mushrooms and nutmeg and "Farmboi," which comes loaded with veal sausage, poached egg, smoked ricotta and dill oil, among many, many other things.

If you're not adventurous when it comes to your pies, not to worry: there'll also be plenty of classics populating the menu, as well as non-pizza options including a singular, saucy meatball and a self-described "top shelf tiramisu."

Here's the catch: Tony will only be churning out a total of 100 pizzas a day, making what's sure to be this summer's go-to spot all the more exclusive.

Tony's Sourdough Pizza is set to open its doors on June 6 at the historic Elora Mews at 45 Mill St., adding a decidedly tasty twist to the already breathtaking Ontario town. Sounds like it's time to take a road trip.