Chef Keith Pears dishes on his new Asian-fusion restaurant near Toronto
Katy Brennan
created: April 21, 2025, 12:53 p.m. | updated: April 22, 2025, 2:21 p.m.
<img class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual" src="https://display.blogto.com/articles/20250411-chef-keith-pears.jpg?w=1200&cmd=resize_then_crop&height=630&quality=70&format=jpeg" width="100%" /><p>There's a new addition to the GTA's buzzing food scene via <a delay="150" href="https://accencisgroup.ca/our-company-new/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Accencis Group</a>, and it's breaking new ground thanks to the chef's deeply personal approach to both the food and the dining experience.</p><p><a href="https://pearsrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Pears Restaurant</a>, an Asian fusion spot by renowned <a href="https://www.keithpears.ca/">Chef Keith Pears</a>, will be having its grand opening on Sunday, April 27, and it's definitely set to be one to add to your must-visit list. </p><p>Located in <a href="https://www.blogto.com/markham-ontario/">Markham</a> — an area lauded for its destination-worthy Asian restaurants, just northeast of Toronto — Pears Restaurant focuses on connection: shared plates, warm hospitality, and dishes inspired by Chef Pears' upbringing.</p><p><img alt="pears restaurant markham" id="content-image-116198" src="https://display.blogto.com/uploads/2025/04/11/1744384306-20250411-pears-restaurant-markham.jpg?w=1400&cmd=resize&quality=70" style="width: 1400px; height: 933px;" />"I was inspired to open Pears Restaurant because of my deep-rooted passion for food and the influence of my Chinese heritage," Chef Pears tells blogTO. "Markham was the perfect choice because of its vibrant and diverse food scene. It's a community that appreciates quality ingredients, authentic flavours, and innovative dining experiences."</p><p>Guests get to indulge in a beautifully designed space that invites you to relax, savour, and stay a while. "[Pears is] based on the idea that when you dine here, it should feel like you’re coming to my home," he says. </p><h5>From the family kitchen to the world stage</h5><p><a href="https://www.keithpears.ca/about-me">Chef Pears' love of food</a> runs deep. Raised in a family of chefs, he was immersed in the food industry from a young age, and eventually found his own place in the kitchen.</p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.35px;"><b>"</b></span>Watching my family cook and learning from them, I was exposed to traditional techniques and bold flavors," he says. "I incorporate many of these flavors into my cooking along with those I’ve tasted and learned through my travels with a modern approach."</span></span></span></span></span></p><blockquote class="instagram-media"><div style="padding: 16px;"><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div><div style="display: flex;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DH2KbqmOXpi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"></a></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DH2KbqmOXpi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div><div> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div><div style="display: flex; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div><div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DH2KbqmOXpi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Keith Pears™🍐🍐 (@keith_pears)</a></p></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Throughout his culinary journey, he had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, from restaurants to hotels and even competed in the <a href="https://www.bocusedor.com/en">Bocuse d’Or</a> — a competition often referred to as the "culinary Olympics" — representing Canada. Now with the opening of Pears, he's bringing it all home. </span></span></span></span></span></p><h5>A fusion of flavour, culture, and connection</h5><p>Launching a restaurant that feels intimate and inclusive for all has long been a dream for Pears. </p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">"More than anything, I just want the community to feel welcomed and have a great time. That’s always been my vision for Pears </span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">—</span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> like we're all just hanging out, eating good food, and enjoying the moment. I can't wait to celebrate with everyone!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><img alt="pears restaurant markham" id="content-image-116199" src="https://display.blogto.com/uploads/2025/04/11/1744384569-20250411-pears-restaurant-markham2.jpg?w=1400&cmd=resize&quality=70" style="width: 1400px; height: 933px;" /></p><h5>Chef Pears' top menu picks</h5><p>So, what should you order first? Pears caters to a variety of tastes. From meat and seafood to rice dishes and veggie-forward bites, the <a href="https://pearsrestaurant.com/menu/">menu</a> blends Asian food with East Coast eating in an exciting and innovative way.</p><p><img alt="Pears Restaurant" id="content-image-116352" src="https://display.blogto.com/uploads/2025/04/17/1744902440-Pears_MG_9750.jpg?w=1400&cmd=resize&quality=70" style="width: 1400px; height: 933px;" /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">"My favorite dish on the menu is the bone-in char sui beef short rib," Chef Pears says. "Some recommendations are foie gras toast, mushroom fried rice, lobster mapo tofu and crispy broccoli… but everything is tasty!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9900ff;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="pears restaurant markham" id="content-image-116206" src="https://display.blogto.com/uploads/2025/04/11/1744384761-20250411-pears-restaurant-markham3.jpg?w=1400&cmd=resize&quality=70" style="width: 1400px; height: 933px;" /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Whether you're a longtime fusion fan or just a foodie looking for your next go-to dining spot, Pears is sure to make for a memorable experience and leave you dreaming about your next visit.</p><p>Make a reservation <a href="https://www.opentable.ca/r/pears-restaurant-markham">via OpenTable today</a> or head to <a href="https://pearsrestaurant.com/">pearsrestaurant.com</a> to learn more.</p><p>Pears Restaurant is located at 170 Enterprise Blvd, Unit J105, Markham. </p><h5><a href="https://www.opentable.ca/r/pears-restaurant-markham">Pears Restaurant Markham Grand Opening</a> </h5><ul><li><strong>When: </strong>Sunday,<strong> </strong>April 27</li><li><strong>Time:</strong> 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.</li><li><strong>Where: </strong>170 Enterprise Blvd Unit J105, Markham</li></ul>
1 month, 2 weeks ago: blogTO