With what seems like a food festival every weekend, summer may be deemed the season of eating, but it doesn’t stop there. Bulky sweaters are kind to food babies, so continue to chow down this Fall and pack on some winter pounds. There’s plenty of schnitzel, craft beer, cheese and chocolate to help segue you into your cold weather hibernation. Take a look at the top food festivals and events happening in Toronto this fall.
NoshFest
October 9
If your palette is keen on hot meat sandwiches, bagels and dill pickles then NoshFest, Toronto’s Jewish Food Festival, should be on your to-do list. This haven for the carb-craving hungry will be showcasing everyone’s favourite Jewish delicacies. So grab a bagel… and don’t forget the schmear and lox!
Torontoberfest
October 9
Those searching for an unconventional Thanksgiving should look no further. Join Brewer’s Backyard at Evergreen Brickworks, and swap the traditional turkey for some craft beer and Oktoberfest-themed eats. Notable brewers include Beau’s, Junction, Left Field, and Collective Arts, complimented by WVRST, Chimney Stax Baking Co., Fidel Gastro’s and more on the food front.
Jam in the City Presented by Bonne Maman
October 12-21
Do you think you’re ready for this jelly? Or should I say jam? Bonne Maman is teaming up with 8 Toronto-based eateries and bakers to create unique, limited-time treats using four products: apricot, blueberry, strawberry and raspberry jam. Participating restaurants include Cheese Boutique, Dufflet Pastries (Beaches location), Le Dolci, Maman, Nadège Patisserie, Stubbe Chocolates, The Rolling Pin, and The Tempered Room, plus you’ll get a free gift with purchase (while supplies last). We can’t wait to see what sweet treats are on offer!
Vegan Oktoberfest
October 13
Veg heads can be happy this Oktoberfest and have a meat-free meal at Vegan Oktoberfest. Think schnitzel, dumplings and all that delicious stuff sans meat and animal byproduct. Embrace your green roots and ditch the typical FOMO associated with the sausage-heavy tradition.
Smoke’s World Poutine Eating Championships
October 14
#WPEC2017!!! If you love poutine, you should be no stranger to that abbreviation. The good people at Smoke’s Poutine are holding the 8th annual World Poutine Eating Championships at Yonge-Dundas Square. Along with FREE poutine, eating categories include amateur, Charity Challenge and Professional. But let’s be real, most of us are professionals after all the drunk practice we’ve had. Am I right or am I right?
Eat to the Beat
October 17
Eating for a cause is always better than eating for no cause… just sayin’. Head out to Eat to the Beat October 17 and have a conscious-happy feast made by 60 of Ontario’s top female chefs (including Pai and Sukho Thai’s Chef Nuit Regular) as they gather together for Breast Cancer awareness.
13th Annual Cask Days Beer Festival
October 20-21
Wet your whistle and head on down to the 13th Annual Cask Days Beer Festival for some beer, cider, eats and beats. The Festival will offer 400+ beers and ciders alongside chef and author of Food & Beer Daniel Burns as the feature food vendor, as well as Toronto restaurants Harry’s Charbroiled, PG Clucks, and Birreria Volo, to name a few.
Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show
October 28
Your sweet tooth is about to get sweeter at North America’s first and biggest baking and sweets event. Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show, taking place on October 28, is like your favourite bake shop on steroids; think 3D cakes, pastries, cupcakes, savoury baking like bread, bagels and more. And don’t just eat — watch and learn from celebrated pastry chefs or take a class, too.
Toronto Chocolate Festival
November 1-30
Toronto’s Chocolate Festival is back for its 11th year, and it’s as chocolatey as ever. Indulge in a lineup of events including Chocolate Afternoon Tea, The Toronto Luxury Chocolate Show, The ChocOlympics and the Christmas Chocolate and Pastry Fair. Swoon — does love of chocolate ever get boring?
November 16-19
November isn’t only blessed with chocolate; The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo is also returning for its 23rd year. That’s a long time! But it’s not hard to see why people keep coming back for more. The Expo has over 1,500 wines, beers, spirits and gourmet foods to choose from. Call it what you will, but we think the event should just be titled “heaven”.
RELATED LINK: The 10 Best Places to Get a Farm-to-Table Meal in Toronto