1. Restaurants Canada Show
Canada’s top foodservice event saw attendance climb to 19,500 chefs, owners, managers, and buyers in 2019 when the French gastronomy contest Bocuse d’Or held qualifying rounds on site. Among the noteworthy discussions was a frank talk about cannabis legalization and its impact on the industry. The show returns to the Enercare Centre next January and celebrates its 75th anniversary. Next: March 1-3, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Restaurants Canada Show
2. Toronto Festival of Beer
Up from #3
The city’s biggest beer bash scales back to three days this year from last year’s four, but organizers still expect to top 2018 attendance of 34,000. The festival returns to Exhibition Place’s Bandshell Park and welcomes new country stage sponsors: music provider Complete Country and hard beverage company Twisted Tea. Next: July 26-28, 2019
The city’s biggest beer bash scales back to three days this year from last year’s four, but organizers still expect to top 2018 attendance of 34,000. The festival returns to Exhibition Place’s Bandshell Park and welcomes new country stage sponsors: music provider Complete Country and hard beverage company Twisted Tea. Next: July 26-28, 2019
Photo: Jason Shum Photography
3. Night It Up
This night market with a focus on Asian cuisine expects to host 135,000 snackers this year—an increase of about 5,000 people—by increasing family-friendly activations and sports-theme games at the Markham Civic Centre. The beneficiary charity this year is Rainbow Railroad, and TD Bank returns as a sponsor. Next: July 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Power Unit
4. Vegetarian Food Festival
Up from #6
North America’s largest vegetarian food festival welcomed 160 vendors in 2018, the largest number in its 34-year history, along with 40,000 vegan- and vegetarian-curious attendees. The festival returns to Harbourfront this year and is curated by the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Sponsors include King’s Café and Whole Foods. Next: September 6-8, 2019
North America’s largest vegetarian food festival welcomed 160 vendors in 2018, the largest number in its 34-year history, along with 40,000 vegan- and vegetarian-curious attendees. The festival returns to Harbourfront this year and is curated by the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Sponsors include King’s Café and Whole Foods. Next: September 6-8, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Vegetarian Association
5. Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
This industry and public event returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2019 for its 25th edition, hoping to host about 28,000 gourmands and beverage enthusiasts. Highlights in 2018 included the craft distillery market, the fine wine tasting lounge, and, once again, the Mott’s Best Caesar in Town competition. Next: November 21-24, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Gourmet Food & Wine Expo
6. Terroir Symposium Hospitality Industry Symposium
This one-day hospitality and tourism symposium drew a reduced crowd this year of almost 850 chefs, producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, as well as 50 speakers, at the elegant Carlu. New this year: 12-minute Terroir Talks and a paperless event, in an effort to get to zero waste. Grocer Sobeys and Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. were sponsors. Next: May 4, 2020
Photo: Ash Nayler Photography
7. Taste of the Danforth
About 1.6 million Torontonians are expected again this year for a multicultural food fest “with a dollop of tzatziki on top.” Local restaurateurs will offer $6 tasting menus, while the Celebrity Stage, presented by OLG, will feature more than 40 Bollywood dancers. The Sports Zone promises appearances by athletes from Toronto’s professional sports teams. Next: August 9-11, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Tania To
8. Jerkfest
Up from #9
New to this 65,000-person grilling-theme dance party this year will be a food demonstration tent and additional parking at suburban Centennial Park. Grace Foods returns as the title sponsor and TD Bank as the presenting sponsor. The Junior Chef Challenge was a definite highlight from 2018. Next: August 1-11, 2019
New to this 65,000-person grilling-theme dance party this year will be a food demonstration tent and additional parking at suburban Centennial Park. Grace Foods returns as the title sponsor and TD Bank as the presenting sponsor. The Junior Chef Challenge was a definite highlight from 2018. Next: August 1-11, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Jerkfest
9. Taste Canada Awards
In 2019, for the second year in a row, the Fairmont Royal York will welcome this gala award ceremony honoring Canadian cookbooks, blogs, and food writers. The event sold out, with 550 attendees, in 2018, when Lynn Crawford won gold for Farm to Chef. Major partners include the Toronto Star and the Egg Farmers of Ontario. Next: October 27, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Taste Canada Awards
10. Toronto Cider Festival
New to the list
This festival of hard fruit drinks returns to the Sherbourne Common for its fifth edition this summer, offering 100 ciders from 32 cideries over two days and expecting 5,000 thirsty folks to attend. Also on hand: live entertainment, an outdoor fire pit, an artisanal market, and a waterfront game zone. Sponsors include Bass Pro Shops and Dr. Oetker. Next: August 23-24, 2019
This festival of hard fruit drinks returns to the Sherbourne Common for its fifth edition this summer, offering 100 ciders from 32 cideries over two days and expecting 5,000 thirsty folks to attend. Also on hand: live entertainment, an outdoor fire pit, an artisanal market, and a waterfront game zone. Sponsors include Bass Pro Shops and Dr. Oetker. Next: August 23-24, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Cider Festival
