Toronto Taste 2014
Here at Foodies on Foot, when we are not putting together food events, we are professional food festival attendees. When we were invited to eat for charity at Toronto Taste, we felt prepared. Little did we know that in 4 joyful hours, and with over 70 of Toronto’s tastiest vendors feeding us, we could be completely taken down by food samples.
Second Harvest is an amazing group, feeding the hungry all over Toronto and cutting back on food waste. Once yearly for the last 24, they have hosted elite vendors to represent the Toronto food scene in this one of a kind event. The eclectic bunch feed do-gooders, who buy raffle tickets, participate in live and silent auctions, root on the participants of a chef’s challenge, and go on to spread the word through all the social media outlets they can populate with drool worthy food pics.
Speaking of spreading the word, did we mention there is as much booze to be sampled as apps, mains, and desserts? When one vendor described Toronto Taste as Christmas, we had to interject to vote that it was better. It would be impossible to have kept track of each delicious morsel that passed our lips, and the ones we had to try a second time, especially as the bubbly continued to be poured. When not having our hands full of food and drink, we snapped pictures of some of our favourites. Check them out below!
The Chase – Seafood gaspacho with poached mussels, marinated baby octopus, and snow crab claw.
Cafe Belong – St. Lawrence Salad, seasonal veggies, goat cheese, apples, pears, and quinoa tossed in brown butter vinaigrette.
Frank Restaurant – Shrimp Po’ boys, espelette peppers, herb remoulade, and papaya slaw.
Foodbenders – a variety of handmade spreads served on COBS bread.
Paint Box Bistro – ‘Spudnuts’ (like a doughnut, made from mashed potatoes).
Cafe Boulud – Crispy duck egg with jambon de Paris, asparagus, and mustard emulsion.
Richmond Station – Foie gras mousse on broiche toast.
Cheese Boutique – 4 year old Parmigiano-Reggiano drizzled with 25 year old balsamic vinegar.
Scaramouche – Parisienne gnocchi with white and green asparagus and porcini mushrooms.
Pizza Libretto – Deep fried pizza bites with spicy marinara, cheese, and basil.
Joia – Blackberry, pomegranate, and ginger all natural soda.
Dufflet – Maple tarts, cookies, and fudge.
Steam Whistle – Doing the one thing they do so well…a craft pilsner (in huge glasses).
Reunion Island Coffee – Iced coffee with tonic (it sounds weird, it’s amazing).
The three chefs competing in the chef’s challenge.
Steven taking in the eye candy.
Feeling uncomfortably full and very happy, we rounded out the evening by catching up with good friends from the foodie community, sipping tea & coffee, and reevaluating our workout plans for the following week. With gift bag in hand, and an impressive living lettuce for our kitchens, we floated home in a serious food coma.
For those of you that missed out this year, show some love to Toronto Taste and put in your calendar for next year. A single $250 tickets gets you access to unlimited food and drink from the tastiest locations throughout the city, a $125 tax receipt, and, most importantly, feeds 500 people in need. Thanks for having us Second Harvest. See you next year!
Photography and blogging contributed by Eva Lampert.