{event} TO food fest 2014

Just a quick Friday morning post to tell you about a fun food event coming up on August 10 here in Toronto – the TO Food Fest!

Now in its third year, the TO Food Fest is one of my favourite food events of the year. I’ve been watching the event grow since it was still an “idea” in founder Winston Chiu’s mind and it’s been so much fun watching it get bigger and better every year (although I’m not that fond of seeing the food lineups grow each year!)

Clockwise from top left: Dutch Frites, Sopsop, Liko’s Hawaiian BBQ and Buster’s Sea Cove

Info for this year’s TO Food Fest:
Date & Time: Sunday, August 10, 2014 – 1pm – 6pm
Location: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (5183 Sheppard Avenue East)

Some of the many reasons why this event rocks:

it’s not downtown – yes, that’s right – a food event that isn’t held in downtown Toronto – shocking, I know!
free parking – if you get there early enough, there’s a free parking lot
incredibly cheap admission – admission to food events has been skyrocketing, but not this one! Although it’s been free for the last two years, this year, they’re charging admission – $2 or bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the food bank (how’s THAT for affordable?)

Last year, I had a blast checking out the event as both a food blogger AND as a vendor assistant (the lovely Ashley of Smashcake let me help her out behind the booth – brave girl, huh?).

Some of the tasty treats available: (clockwise from top left) lemon meringue cupcakes from Bakin’ Bits; vanilla & smashed smarties cupcakes from SmashCake; macarons from Francesca Bakery and gourmet sandwich from Bricks & Mortar

I’m even more excited as the gang at TO Food Fest rolls out their list of this year’s vendors (they’re expecting over 40 vendors!). Some of my favourites are going to be there, including Hot Bunzz and WonderPho. Other vendors taking part this year include Tita Flips, The Saucy Pierogi, Island Oysters Shuck Bar and Moo Milk Bar.

You can watch for more vendor announcements on the TO Food Fest Facebook Page or check out their website for more info on the event.