By Lori Bosworth
One of the best seasons to live in Toronto is summer, when the city hosts several festivals including the popular Taste of Toronto . The annual food festival, which showcases culinary dishes from Toronto restaurants, returns to the Garrison Common at Fort York from June 15-18, 2017.
The festival allows participants to purchase dishes offered from over 25 Toronto restaurants. Each restaurant will offer four menu items in tasting size. You can also participate in free cooking demonstrations and interactive masterclasses led by leading Toronto chefs. It’s also a great opportunity to purchase artisanal food from over 60 food and drink exhibitors.
Participating Restaurants
The restaurant list just keeps getting more impressive each year. Chefs from the following Toronto restaurants will be offering menus at Taste of Toronto 2017: U-Feast, Antler, Cafe Boulud, The McEwan Group, Little Sister, Miku, Barque, Piano Piano, Bar Isabel & Bar Raval, Richmond Station, Nota Bene, The Drake Hotel, Momofuku, Actinolite, Kanpai Snack Bar, Carver, Pray Tell and Bar Buca.
Metro Master Classes
I had a chance to attend Taste of Toronto last year as a guest of Metro Grocery Stores. I attended the hands-on Metro Master Class led by Chef Anthony Rose, where we learned how to prepare Msabbaha. It was a great experience and I highly recommend attending the Metro Master Class if you get a chance. Metro Master Classes are free. Sign up for classes upon arrival at the festival because they are very popular and spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each class has 30 spots.
Sessions
Attending Taste of Toronto means you have to choose a session for which your ticket is valid. Once you leave the festival, you are not permitted back. Here are the following sessions you can choose from:
Thursday June 15, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday June 16, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday June 16, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday June 17, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday June 17, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday June 18, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
General Admission Tickets
- Thursday and Friday sessions: $17 each
- Saturday and Sunday sessions: $21 each
- Youth (13-17) Price for all sessions: $10 each
- Free entry on-site for children 12 and under
- Prices include HST, but exclude service charges. Youth and Child ticket holders can only enter the event with the person who purchased their ticket. Proof of age may be required.
Premium VIP Admission
- General admission for one with fast-track entry and access to the VIP Lounge, in association with The Drake;
- Seating/shade, with dedicated bar, luxury washrooms, complimentary drink upon entry into VIP Lounge and Event Guide;
- Thursday and Friday sessions: $44.00 each;
- Saturday and Sunday sessions: $48.00 each;
- Prices are inclusive of HST but exclude service charges;
- Select sessions are already sold out.
Ticketholders will no longer upload a Crown Card to purchase items on-site. This year, festival attendees will be able to purchase food, beverages and artisanal products using their credit card or debit card. No cash transactions will be accepted on-site.
No dogs allowed, except guide dogs. No outside food or drink (except bottled water) is allowed.
