One Of A Kind Spring Show 2016
Being able to attend the media breakfast on Wednesday, March 23 for the One Of A Kind Spring Show 2016, which takes place March 23-27, 2016 in Toronto, was a delight. This show’s breakfast was prepared by Carl Heinrich of Richmond Station at 1 Richmond Street West. Heinrich is a young, but very talented chef, who was friendly, funny and knew many of the vendors at the show since he and his family have been a fan of the One of a Kind Spring Show for years, shopping it regularly. Therefore, it seemed only fitting that he be asked to create a unique breakfast for us to have before hitting the floor running to explore all the show had to offer.
Chef Heinrich’s breakfast was absolutely delicious from start to finish, starting with his house made Granola 7 Organic Yogurt Parfait with stewed apples and cinnamon.
Next on the menu were small Peameal Sandwiches with tomato jam, fried egg and aged cheddar on a milk bun.
Followed by a Potato Rosti, made up of smoked Kolapore, spring trout, shallot, parsley and caper. Truly, I did not think I would like this, but it was amazing.
And finally a Finnish Pancake with rhubarb preserve, whipped cream and Nutella. Oh my god, it was so good!
With a full tummy, I was off to check out the show. With over 450 artisans from across Canada showcasing a wide selection of unique products, it was difficult to know where to start. Therefore, I decided to go with products that interested me personally and see where it took me. Being an avid cruiser, I had to visit Nikki Babie’s booth. Nikki designs versatile bamboo jersey travelwear that is light weight, wrinkle-free, breathable and soft, making her collection perfect for travelling. Nikki consciously designed her line to fit all shapes and sizes from petite to plus. Each piece is designed to accentuate a women’s figure and can take you from the beach to a formal event simply by accessorizing and layering. If you are a traveler, you may want to check out her collection at Booth I-36 at the show.
My next favorite thing is tea next stop was Tealish, to check out their wide range of loose leaf teas. Whether you are looking for a wellness tea, traditional black tea or an herbal tea, they have it all: a tea for every mood, reason and lifestyle.
What better to go with tea than a delicious assortment of cookies by Mad Batter Bakers. Not only are their cookies yummy, they are works of art that can be customized for any occasion or celebration.
Sticking with a sweet theme, the next booth I stopped by was Brewster’s Salt Water Taffy. This home grown company has been operating in Crystal Beach, Ontario since 1947. With a wide variety of flavours to sample, I could not help but bring some home as I am sure you will too once you try it.
The show was featuring three special sections, “Community of Canada,” where I found Silvia Taylor, a local Toronto artist appearing at the show for the very first time, showcasing her glass and copper creations.
The next special section was “Launchpad,” which was new this year and featured 12 talented artists from Quebec. Here, I met Coraline Coutiere, creator of Boutiverre, beautiful designs made out of recycled glass.
Another artist from Quebec who caught my eye was Alice in Montreal, who customized a variety of dishware using chalk paint, talent and imagination. Her pieces were unique and could be customized for any cityscape. Each piece came with a piece of chalk so you could further customize it for yourself or as a gift.
The last special sections I visited were Etsy, which was showcasing 40+ Etsy sellers and the Rising Stars section. The three that stood out for me were, Mikafleur, Mika Sato’s Floral Designer with her whimsical planters.
Next was JOOL, designer Julie Phelps and her creative collection made from designer labels. They were also unique, colourful and stylish.
Last was VIVID, tailored neck ties, bow ties and pocket squares. Handcrafted in Toronto, they take custom orders for weddings, gifts or special events and carry everything from Toronto cityscapes to quirky prints.
The theme at the One of a Kind Spring Show this year seemed to appeal to every age, gender and style.
I’ve gone to the show the last few years and always find new gems!
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