If you haven’t heard of IMG’s Taste Festival, it is known as the world’s greatest restaurant festival. It’s not your typical food festival that’s just a sampling event, it’s a gourmet food event where you’ll be able to try new creations from the city’s best chefs spanning 3 days. In addition, you’ll also get to sample wine, watch live food demonstrations, interact with the chefs, attend cooking classes, and enjoy live music and other entertainment.

Held in many cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Rome, Sydney and Moscow, it’s now Toronto’s turn to join the mix. Toronto will be the first North American city to host a Taste festival. As a food lover in this city, and having travelled to and eaten at many places around the world, I can say Toronto is absolutely deserving of this distinction. The food scene in this city is diverse, international, and continuously evolving; and having many of our acclaimed chefs at one place is something not to miss.

Some well-known chefs participating at the inaugural Taste of Toronto festival include:

  • Mark McEwan of the McEwan Group of restaurants (North 44, Bymark, Fabbrica), and resident judge on Top Chef Canada
  • David Chang of Momofuku
  • Stuart Cameron of Patria and Weslodge
  • Carl Heinrich of Richmond Station, and winner of Top Chef Canada Season 2

TasteofToronto-preview-JohnTan-BestofToronto-2014-011

On Tuesday, April 29, we got a preview of the Taste of Toronto festival at its launch event at 2nd Floor Events. The festival’s chefs came together and prepared a sample menu for the guests. My personal favourites include the extremely tender Station Burger from Richmond Station, and the flavourful Lamb Bolognese Crostini from Fabbrica. If the quality of the food at the launch event is any indication of what’s to come, then festival goers will be in for a treat.

Maple ice wrapped cheese

Sticks with cheese about to be wrapped in maple ice

Richmond Station's "Station Burger"

Richmond Station’s “Station Burger”

The Taste of Toronto festival will be held at the Fort York National Historic Site from July 24-27. Tickets are now available for purchase.

For more information:
www.tasteoftoronto.com
www.tastefestivals.com
Twitter: @TasteOfToronto

Photos by John Tan

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John Tan

John is an avid traveller, but equally loves being a tourist in his own city. With camera in hand, he enjoys discovering the sights, sounds, tastes, and everything else that Toronto has to offer. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram (@iam_johntan) to see what he's been up to lately.