Kultura brings the Philipines to TO

For the second year in a row I attended the Kultura Filipino Arts Festival on Sunday August 7, 2016 at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto.  

It is in it's 11th year though and has grown from a small BBQ in Kensington Market.


This year it moved from Yonge and Dundas Square to more space at Nathan Phillips Square.  It’s a festival of Filipino foods, arts, crafts and music with a marketplace of local vendors.

There are a lot of stereotypes about Filipino food and the Filipino community, I know because I have heard them from a few people.  I have been to a couple of Filipino restaurants for Blogger dinners and both were very different experiences.  One was traditional and one was modern. Both were incredibly hospitable and the food was very distinct.

Although there was a lot more room I think there were a few less food vendors.  It was a very hot day with a high UV sun rate and I was wearing black so I only sampled the 4 dishes that were up for an award in the Chef Challenge because I was too hot to stay longer.  They are all $3 dishes that each vendor creates to make an affordable bite of food for the attendees.  With a passport you receive when you purchase food tickets you are then able to choose which Chefs dish you preferred.

The list of participating vendors and their dishes were:

KANTO by Tita Flips (Reigning Champ): Cabcab (Cassava Wafers) (bottom left)
LAMESA Filipino Kitchen: Pork Neck Inasal (top left)
MERIENDA: Pandesal with Ube Cream Glaze and Coconut Jam (bottom right)
TITO RON’S: Filipino Spaghetti Hotdog (top right)

I had to wait a really long time for the Cabcab because they couldn’t get their fryer to work but in the end that was my favourite bite.  The flavours were great and worked very well together.

There are a lot more Filipino restaurants in the city but the participants were some of the most popular and well known around the Filipino community and experienced in the street festival world too.  One of the longest lines was at Kanto for the popular rice, egg and meat dish.  I guess the only full meal available but they had a hard time keeping up with orders.  They also make the tasty Turon which is plantain wrapped in wonton wrappers and fried and coated in a caramel sauce. I have had these before and they are really yummy.

 It's over for this year but I hope it returns with more vendors next year and you have a chance to try the food but you don't have to wait a whole year because Lamesa has a restaurant on Queen Street West, Tito Ron's has a spot in Kensington Market, Marienda is located in the quickly growing Filipino community at Bathurst and Wilson and Kanto is located on Dundas St. West.

I'm sorry I can't write about the rest of the vendors and the entertainment at the festival.  I was pretty focused on the thing I know best....the Food.

If you haven't tried Filipino food then take the opportunity to go out to one of these restaurants and sample a few things and decide for yourself what Filipino food is.

UPDATE:   LAMESA wins the Street Food Chef Challenge with their Pork Neck Inasal and they also win a trip to the Phillipines.  Congratulations Lamesa team.

Pop Up Festival City in TO

I am writing this post a little differently today.  My computer seems to have given up trying to keep up with all the pop ups and festivals that I have been trying to go to lately and it won't even start up, just like a stubborn child.  Yeah I know computers don't last long anymore but I think I just overloaded it with way too many festival images.  Anyway, for this post I am typing with one finger on my IPad while lying in bed.  Why?  Well because my body is tired but my blogger brain won't shut off.

I don't want to fall too far behind and leave out posts I wanted to write so will see how this goes for now until I figure out how to solve my computer issues.

This past weekend I attended 2 festivals.  One was a community street festival that seemed more like a flea market on a Main Street.  That festival was Big on Bloor.  Spanning from Dufferin to Landsdowne on Bloor Street it closed down the streets for 2 days.  I decided to check it out because I was close to the area looking for a new computer and on a crazy hot day I get the. Bright idea to walk on Bloor in the sun and sweat my face off.  There wasn't much food vendors but there were activities and a lot of jewellery vendors.  I basically just walked from Dufferin to Landsdowne and took some pics and hopped back on the subway.  Not much there for me.

On Friday after work I went to the Toronto Festival of Beer with my blogger friend Shuang.  It was insanely hot and you had to walk from the Princess Gates to past the Better living building.  I don't think it was the best day for us to go. We were tired and sweaty but once again I went to check it out for you.  Beer festivals are not my thing because I don't drink beer and not interested in getting drunk to the point of the next day being a write off.  This was that kind of festival with more beer vendors than food vendors in a close proximity with loads of 20-30 somethings looking for a good time.

Yeah I'm probably too old for these things but Shuang isn't and she just turned into an old lady too.

I walked around to check everything out but since I don't drink beer it kind of felt a bit useless for me to be there.  I will leave the beer description up to some of my fellow bloggers and beer lovers that I know attended the festival.  I will just tell you what else was there.  There was a Le Grille grilling tent where a few of Toronto's popular chefs were doing demos.  Some notable like Ted Reader and the Chefs from Antler, camagnolo, Raca Cafe, and Pizzeria Libretto and many more.

Other food vendors included the energetic Matt Basile with his Fidel Gastros food truck.

There was hand pie from the Pie commission and Poutine from Smokes Poutinerie and even some Swedish food to go with Swedish Beer.

There were even games to play and some big music artists there like Maestro Fresh Wes and many more.

I didn't eat or drink anything and we didn't stay long because it was just too hot to wander around.

I know lots of people with less clothing on had a really great time there but I went from work and was wearing black pants so that should explain why I didn't stay long.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the TO Food Fest at the Chinese Cultural centre in Scarborough.  What I like about this festival is that it has an indoor and outside setup.  With washrooms available inside. It's only $2 or a food bank donation to get in which I think is a good idea.  They had an area for kids to play and there is a small lot with free parking if you get there early.

It's pretty much all food but the diversity is amazing.  There was Filipino, Japanese, Brazilian, Cambodian, Jamaican and a whole lot of other ethnic and new trend foods.  From the Sushi Burritos to the Ice Cream Rolls to the Raindrop cakes.

I have seen a lot of these things before but it's a good place to try all kinds of food in one convenient location with less walking than the CNE and you will see stuff here before it hits the CNE usually.

I have said it before, there is a festival r popup for everyone and everything in Toronto.

Have we reached the limit yet or is Toronto's appetite for new foods and festivals not going to end anytime soon?

There are a few more food festivals I will be writing about soon so stay tuned,  there's more to come.

Front Street Foods - Pop Up Market

 FRONT STREET FOODS POP UP MARKET

Event:                      Front Street Foods/Adelaide

Place Location:       Adelaide Place
(150 York Street / 181 University Avenue,
2^nd Level Terrace)

Date:           June 13, 2016 – August 5, 2016
Time:          11 AM – 8 PM (Weekdays Only)

The second annual Front Street Foods opened recently at Adelaide Place (150 York Street / 181 University Avenue, 2nd level terrace), with dishes and delicacies designed by 20 local chefs, restaurants and food entrepreneurs. From sweet and savoury, to lush and succulent, this carefully curated culinary market will be open for the public to enjoy weekdays between June 13, 2016 and August 5, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. With the move from last year's Union Station to an upper level patio closer to the Financial and business district, the market now caters more to local Toronto business people and locals in the know.  It is a bit hidden from public view except for the Front street foods sign on the side of the wall leading up the stairs.  Although it's not really accessible there are elevators in the adjoining office buildings.

I visited the market on it's first day open because I am working a few blocks away and thought it would be a great way to get something interesting for lunch.  The first visit was easy, not too many people.  The second visit was on a friday during prime lunch hour time so that wasn't the best time to get lunch in less than an hour.  I think we waited 20 minutes for Brock Sandwiches signature Buttermilk chicken sandwiches. Yes they were good but I think I would go at a less busy time if I want one again.
My third visit last night was an attempt to grab something to eat for dinner before I jumped on the subway to get home.  I stumbled up the stairs and after a couple of minutes of trying to figure out what I wanted I saw my blogger friend Vicky and then noticed she was with her mother who lives in Ottawa.  At first I thought she just stopped by with her mom to check it out but after chatting with her she told me it was actually a media event.  I think she mentioned it before but I guess I didn't pay attention to when it was because I had been there already and probably thought it was too late.  I didn't get an invitation to this one because I didn't know the PR agency but since I crashed this media event by accident Vicky suggested I speak with the PR people, so I did and they gave me a wristband so that I could sample whatever I wanted.  So I was able to try smaller samples of a few things and took home a donut and Fred's breads Asparagus pizza to eat later.  After wandering around I soon realized that half my blogger friends were there so I was really surprised that I didn't know about it.

Anyway, it was a happy coincidence and I must have blogger radar or food radar by now.  It was nice to hang out with a few of my blogger friends especially when I thought I was just going to pick up something to eat and go home.

The things to check out are the RACLETTE.. oozing cheese on potatoes with Kale salad.  The Fred's Breads are always one of my favourite things and I always have Station Cold Brew when I see them at events.  Something new and popular are the Sushi burritos from Fishd by Edo.  They also make Salmon and Tuna Poke.  I really liked the Tuna Poke. I have also tried the Paella from La Fiesta which was pretty good.  That was one of my lunch trips though.  The Rolling Pin are on hand with Donuts and you can get a donut cake but I tried the smores brownie and it was fantastic.  They even have oysters and beer on hand.  You can get breakfast from Bacon Nation or grab your lunch or meet for a drink and a bite after work.  A great meeting spot for the time starved downtown commuter.  When those trains get delayed this is a good way to kill some time.

Some of the vendors you can expect to see are:

• Brock Sandwich 
• Chimney Stax Baking Co. 
• Fish’d by Edo 
• Freds Bread 
• Fresh 
• Holy Chuck Burger 
• HotBunzz 
• Jake’s Lobster 
• La Fiesta 
• Raclette Suisse 
• Tacos 101 
• The Rolling Pin 
• Toben by Design 
• Railroad Coffee Co. 
• Station Cold Brew Coffee 

Visit frontstreetfoods.com   and torontomarketcom for a full list of vendors and more information.

Twitter/Instagram & Facebook - @torontomarketco

August Food Events in Toronto 2015

AUGUST is a really busy month full of Stuffing Your Face opportunities.  So many street festivals and events to choose from.  I compiled a list of some of the bigger public ones but I am sure I probably missed a few too.

Aug 1-2

Toronto Food Truck Festival

Woodbine Park

http://torontofoodtruckfestival.com/

Aug 1-3

Pan American Food Festival

Daniels Spectrum

http://panamfoodfest.com/

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25
Twilight Tuesdays
Parkette at Drake One Fifty
http://www.drakeonefifty.ca/

Aug 5-9

Kultura Filipino Arts Festival

Yonge-Dundas Square

http://www.kultura.ca/

Aug 7-9

Taste of the Danforth

Danforth Avenue

http://tasteofthedanforth.com/

Aug 8

Lovin’ Local Food Fest

Yonge-Dundas Square

http://www.ydsquare.ca/

 

Aug 8

Toronto Vegan Food and Drink Festival

Fort York Garrison Common

http://www.veganfestto.com

Aug 8-9

The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival

Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd

http://www.craftbeerfest.ca/

Aug 8-9

Jerk Fest (Jerk Food Festival)

256 Centennial Park Road

http://www.jerkfestival.ca/

Aug 14-16

Waterfront Night Market

T&T Supermarket, Downtown Store
222 Cherry Street 

http://www.waterfrontnightmarket.com

Aug 15-16
Sweetery  Sweets Food Festival
Front & Portland
http://www.sweeterytoronto.com/
Free Admission

Aug 15-16

Festival of South Asia

Gerrard Street East between Coxwell and Greenwood

http://www.festivalofsouthasia.com

 

Aug 23

MexFest

Yonge-Dundas Square

http://www.ydsquare.ca/

Aug 21-Sept 7

CNE

Canadian National Exhibition- Exhibition Place

http://theex.com/

Aug 22-23

15th Annual Toronto Chinatown Festival

Chinatown - West side of Spadina Avenue (between Sullivan Street & St Andrew Street).
Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West

http://www.chinatownbia.com/chinatown-events-68-15th-Annual-Toronto-Chinatown-Festival

Aug 21-23

Taste of Iran

World Cafe

Harbourfront Centre

http://tirgan.ca/event/taste-iran-1

Aug 22-23

Big on Bloor Festival

Bloor Street (between Dufferin and Lansdowne)

http://www.bigonbloorfestival.com/

Aug 23
Pintxos Toronto
Royal Bank Plaza
www.pintxostoronto.com

Aug 23
Coconut Festival Canada
David Pecaut Square
http://coconutfestival.ca/
FREE

Aug 27

Diner en blanc

Secret location

http://toronto.dinerenblanc.info/

Aug 27-30

Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy

Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood (from College Street to Queen Street)
Yonge Street and Dundas Street

http://www.torontobuskerfest.com

Aug 28-30

Taiwan Fest

Harbourfront Centre

http://www.taiwanfest.ca/

Event - Delicious Food Show 2014

If you love to see some great Celebrity Chef demos and try all kinds of great food and drinks then the Delicious Food Show is the show for you.

Last year I went to check it out and wanted to spend the whole weekend there and see all the fun demos.

Last year's big Culinary Star in attendance was the Queen of Lifestyle herself, Martha Stewart.   She was there to show up her new Home Depot Kitchen collection and she did a demo on cakes and did a very long autograph signing.  I didn't stand in the long line but I did get a chance to take a photo of her.

Other great chefs that were in attendance and did some great demos were some of my favourite chefs,  Lynn Crawford, Chuck Hughes, Mark McEwan, David Rocco and more.

This year there are some of the same great chefs returning for some more food fun and a few new huge American Chefs, Mario Batali and Tyler Florence who are coming to spread the food love as well.
Mario Batali will be doing a demo on the Food Network Celebrity  Stage.

The following chefs will be hosting hands on cooking demos in the Executive Chef Series, lineup includes:

Tyler Florence

Mark McEwan 

Roger Mooking

Chuck Hughes

Nadia G

Lucinda Scala Quinn

There will be lots of food truck vendors, last year there was a food truck alley in the middle of the show.   Returning again this year will be Abbey Sharp's Kitchen Stadium where local chefs will compete in a head to head competition to make the best food.

The great thing about this show is that you can watch a chef demo, participate in a hands on workshop and just sample lots of foods from new and well known food vendors.

This year there are special Executive chef participation events that you can book with your favourite Chef.   

This is the general admission ticket prices and the show info.   Hope to see you there.

Regular Admission Tickets

Adult (ages 18 – 64)
online: $20.00
at door: $22.00

Senior (ages 65+)
$15.00

Youth (ages 13 – 17)
$10.00

Group Admission (10+ people)
$15.00

Drink Sampling Ticket Voucher (Voucher for 5 Drink Sampling Tickets) (Restricted to 19+)
$5.00 per voucher

SHOW DATES & HOURS

Friday, October 17th, 2014: 10AM – 9PM
(Nadia G’s Bitchin’ After Party at Gladstone Hotel, Toronto: 9PM – 1AM)
Saturday, October 18th, 2014: 10AM – 8PM
Sunday, October 19th, 2014: 10AM – 6PM

LOCATION

Direct Energy Centre, Hall A
100 Princes’ Blvd
Toronto, ON M6K3C3
416-960-9030
www.directenergycentre.com

#DFS14 ONLINE

www.facebook.com/deliciousfoodshow
www.twitter.com/deliciousshow
www.instagram.com/deliciousfoodshow

Delicious Food Show

http://deliciousfoodshow.com/

A NEW EVENT

The Delicious Food Show

I just saw this advertised on TV and thought I would post the iink for all the Toronto Foodies. It is next weekend Oct 20-23 downtown Toronto.

Lots of food network chefs on hand and I am sure lots of great food too.

I am going to try and check it out so hope you do too.