Food, Wine & Hospitality Events
Taste of the
7. Danforth
Sponsored by Pilaros, the threeday Greektown 1. Toronto Wine & Cheese Show This three-day street festival event, which draws 25,000 people, marks its 27th showcases Hellenic year this spring. The Metro grocery chain returned food, culture, and as the lead sponsor for the show, which took place music and marks at the International Centre from March 19 to 21. its 17th year in 2010. The festival returns to the Danforth during the second week of August. 8. Cuvée Gala Held in Niagara at the Fallsview Casino Resort, the gala kicks off Cuvée weekend and is known as the Oscars of the Ontario wine industry. This year’s event took place February 19, with proceeds going to the Niagara Community Foundation. 9. The Drinks Show This consumer event, founded by the team behind cocktail catering company the Martini Club, has grown to include more than 100 brands since its inception in 2004. Last year, the tasting moved to Polson Pier. The 2010 event returns to that venue on July 9 and 10. 10. Eat to the Beat More than 60 female chefs created sweet and savoury treats at the 2009 edition of this foodie fund-raiser, held at Roy Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival This Thomson Hall in support of Willow Breast Cancer festival, which marked its fifth anniversary in Support Canada. The 2010 event returns to Roy 2009, has raised more than $6 million for the Thomson Hall on October 5. Toronto Western & General Hospital Foundation. 11. Picnic at the Brick Works Last October, more The 2009 event included the biannual live wine than 1,100 people, including chefs, farmers, and auction, with rare lots from 90 winemakers. vintners, gathered at Evergreen Brick Works for the Details for the 2010 event were unavailable at third installation of this celebration of local food press time. to benefit Evergreen and Slow Food Toronto. The 3. Toronto Taste Last June, 50 local chefs, Mark McEwan and Michael Smith among them, cooked event takes place October 3. for guests in the Village of Yorkville Park at this fund-raiser for Second Harvest. The event raised more than $425,000 and drew 1,250 attendees. The 20th anniversary Taste takes place at the Royal Ontario Museum on June 13. 4. The C.R.F.A. Show The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show (the new name for the amalgamated Canadian Food & Beverage and Hostex shows) includes 1,200 exhibits and a series of free business seminars offering advice to improve profitability. The 2010 show was held March 7 to 9 at the Direct Energy Centre with chefs Susur Lee, Lynn Crawford, and Donna Dooher participating. What’s on the Table This fund-raiser 5. The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo This event brings together top chefs to raise money for the attracts 36,000 people and provides the opporStop Community Centre’s anti-hunger programs. tunity to sample more than 1,500 wines, beers, The event, which features food stations from chefs and spirits from around the world. Last year, Portugal was the country of focus. The next show like Donna Dooher and Jamie Kennedy, returns to Wychwood Barns for its sixth installation on takes place from November 18 to 21 at the Metro November 3. Toronto Convention Centre. 13. The Beer & Cocktail Show This show returns 6. Niagara Wine Festival Canada’s largest wine to Downsview Park for its fifth outing from June 4 festival includes more than 100 events such as to 6. The three-day event, which includes cocktail winery tours and tastings, artisan shows, and demonstrations and a talent show, attracts about seminars. The 59th festival takes place from 10,000 attendees. September 17 to 26.
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Media & Literary Events 1. Scotiabank Giller Prize Gala Linden
MacIntyre’s novel The Bishop’s Man was awarded the $50,000 prize in this prestigious juried competition for Canadian fiction last year. The 16th anniversary Giller gala returns to the Four Seasons Hotel on November 9. 2. International Festival of Authors This literary gathering, held at Harbourfront Centre, consists of more than 60 events, including the opening night benefit for PEN Canada (which promotes freedom of expression) and closing night readings by Giller Prize-nominated authors. The 2010 festival takes place in late October. 3. Idea City Conference Last year, a NASA project manager and a laughologist were among the 50 presenters who addressed a sold-out crowd during this Moses Znaimer-produced conference, dubbed “Canada’s premier meeting of the minds.” The 2010 conference takes place from June 16 to 18 at the Isabel Bader Theatre on the University of Toronto campus. 4. The Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards Gala 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer, a Toronto native, received a special tribute, and Governor General Michaëlle Jean presented Joe Schlesinger with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the foundation’s 12th annual gala last June. Peter Mansbridge hosts the 2010 gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on June 10. 5. MagNet—Canada’s Magazine Conference MagNet, which attracts around 1,000 publishers, editors, and advertising representatives, is Canada’s premier public policy, professional development, and networking conference for magazine professionals. Presented by four industry associations, the conference is set for June 1 to 4. 6. National Magazine Awards Gala Last year, the National Magazine Awards Foundation recognized excellence in Web-based and online-only magazines for the first time. AlbertaViews took home the award for magazine of the year. The 33rd annual gala is scheduled for June 4. 7. International Press Freedom Awards This gala, presented by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, recognizes foreign journalists who regularly face obstacles in order to get the news out. Recipients honoured at the December gala, held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, included Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and an Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist. Details for the 2010 awards had not been confirmed by press time. 8. Word on the Street Festival This literary festival—also held in Vancouver, Halifax, and Kitchener—marked its 20th anniversary in 2009 and included an appearance by Margaret Atwood, who headlined the Bestsellers Stage. The event drew more than 200,000 attendees and included some 250 book and magazine exhibits. The 2010 event will take place on the lawn at Queen’s Park in late September.
PHOTOS: TOM SANDLER (GRAND CRU), JOHN NARVALI (TAST OF THE DANFORTH), JENNA NAKANI (WHAT’S ON THE TABLE), ANDRE NEWELL (CARIBANA), TRISTAN SAVATIER (WINTERCITY), COURTESY OF HONDA INDY TORONTO, WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (QUEEN’S PLATE)
TORONTO’S TOP 100 EVENTS