I was determined to attend the Toronto Garlic Festival despite the POURING RAIN.

Upon arrival I realized that the rain wasn’t stopping garlic fans from attending as the three parking lots were almost full and it was only 10 am!!

However, the rain stopped and the sunshine came out which meant I could focus on these garlicky treats!!

a) GARLIC COFEE – yes, that’s right…Garlic Coffee. Described as: Warm Garlic Infused Spiced Coffee with Maple Cream and Pumpkin Vanilla Dust. Thank you Incredible Spice for creating this unique cup of java.

b) GARLIC Lollipop – oh how I love these creations that mix sweet and savoury.

c) BLACK GARLIC BUTTER TARTS – this had my name all over it as butter tarts are one of my weaknesses! Kudos to the good people at Smoked and Cracked. I really hope this will be a regular feature on their menu

d) FRENCH GARLIC APPLE TOAST with Creme Fraiche from Magic Oven. – oh what a combo of flavours. ps did you know that Magic Oven is soon opening on Eglinton Ave W.?

Of course I came home with some garlic from Soup Stone Farms and put it to good use…immediately. Please remind me, never to buy garlic from the grocery store again! What a difference.

Congratulations once again to the Toronto Garlic Festival for putting on another well organized and tasty event.

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There is something about the Toronto Garlic Festival that I love. Perhaps it’s the aroma that I can detect from the parking lot. HA HA. (sorry….but it’s true).

This is my third year that I’ve attended the Toronto Garlic Festival, and I swear  each year it keeps getting better and better.

I had a ton of fun sampling a variety of delicious food, craft beer, and even managed to participate in a free garlic shot. Here’s proof!!

I ate the whole thing!!

I discovered a few new vendors as well. In particular, one called Smoked & Cracked. I had a spoon of their soup that will have me running to their restaurant in no time at all. (516 Mt. Pleasant Rd). 

I also discovered some unique key chains that would make the perfect gift for foodies! I’m now the proud owner of one of these beautiful key chains. ps u can email your order to: uaddloveandstir@hotmail.com)

Another favourite event taking place in the near future is Soupalicious. Sadly I’m unable to attend but trust me I would be there the minute it opened if I was in town!!

More events that I would be trying to squeeze in next weekend include:

Toronto Underground Market for their two year Anniversary Party on Sept 28th. For more info, please click here

Abbey’s Kitchen Stadium for Battle Three on Sunday Sept 29th from 1-4 pm. For more info, please click here 

Oktoberfest at the Bier Market (running until Oct 20) For more info, please click here.  Nothing beats, drinking beer, eating great food, listening to live music with some friends!

(from left to right) @clickflickca @th3hungrycat @beachrockinc.

Enjoy!

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Everywhere you look – there is a festival. I’m not complaining…just wish I had more TIME to go to all of them!

This past weekend I went to two festivals in one night. I started off at the South Asian Festival on Gerrard East and ended up on St. Clair for Salsa on St Clair. Each festival had something different to offer and I was happy to be able to walk thru both of them. (and eat, of course)

Needed a translation but managed just fine!!

Other festivals that are on my ‘hit list” include the following:

a) Toronto Fringe Festival to see “Everything I Never Knew I Wanted”. This festival takes place from July 4 -15th. This is my first time attending the Toronto Fringe Festival but I’m really looking forward to it. I didn’t know this but it’s Toronto’s largest theatre festival with 150 plus artistic creations. I have a good feeling that this festival might be on my list every year!

b) Night It Up which takes place July 13-15 at the Markham Civic Centre. This festival features 100 plus different vendors including many “street foods” that one might find in the markets of Taiwan or Hong Kong. I’ve heard so much about stinky tofu that I really think I might go this year!!

Street Food!!

c) Toronto Festival of Beer which takes place July 27-28th on the Exhibition Grounds. I am a huge fan of this festival and have been going for years and years and years. In my opinion the festival just gets better and better each year. Don’t delay and buy your tickets as this festival will sell out on all three days!!

Won’t Miss the Toronto Beer Festival. Period.

b) Cobourg Sand Castle Festival which takes place Aug 4 – Aug 5th. Well worth the drive to Cobourg to see the spectacular sand castle exhibits.

Love this beach and this competition.

c) Wild Blueberry Festival which takes place August 11th from 8 a.m to 3 p.m at Evergreen Brickworks. If you love blueberries – this is the festival for you!! Tons of great activities, recipes, food products containing blueberries and more.

Blueberry Heaven

d) The Ex which takes place Aug 17 – Sept 3rd. I’ve been eating my way thru the Ex for the last two years and once again will be there the minute it opens. The minute!!

Eating My Way Thru The Ex.

e) The Toronto Garlic Festival which takes place Oct 13-14 at Evergreen Brickworks. I went last year and learned so much about garlic that I need to go back to learn even more!! (and taste more).

Garlic 101..So Much To Learn Here.

I know that my calendar has all these dates marked down and I encourage you to look at your calendars too. By all means take a peek at this website  called Festivals Toronto for a bigger list (way bigger) . In this blog post, I simply wanted to highlight some of my favorites!! I’m hoping to add a few more festivals to this growing list but like I said in the title of this blog post….so many festivals, so little time!!

PS what are your favorite festivals?

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I honestly did not know a lot about garlic until a visit to the farm of  The Cutting Veg last year. Plus I subscribe to their newsletter so I can further educate myself about the varieties of different types of garlic you can order!! I have done NOTHING with this information, but I continue to read about garlic (go figure).

I also knew that Perth, Ontario has had a garlic festival for many years but never went. However, a few weeks ago, I stumbled across a flyer posted on a tree while visiting Riverdale Farm (cant believe posters still work – but I’m living proof that it worked). I immediately knew that I was going to attend Toronto’s 1st Annual Garlic Festival which was held at the beautiful Evergreen Brickworks.

I wasnt the only one interested in the world of garlic as there were lots of other interested “foodies” who got up bright and early to attend this great festival.

I strolled from vendor to vendor to try and educate myself a little more about garlic. There were over 20 garlic farmers in my brain was busy trying to absorb the different varieties of garlic:  Russian, Mexican Purple, German Red, Legacy, Bogatyr, Spanish Roja, Siberian, Brown Rose, Killarney Red, Music, Polish Hardneck, Floha, Korean Red, Thai, Tibeta….SHOULD I GO ON?

See what I mean?

It’s an endless but facinating world.

I enjoyed some delicious samples of garlic scape pesto and bought some garlic as well. Naturally I haven’t done anything with it yet, but I enjoy looking at it as it sits above my stove in a empty flower pot.

What should I make with it? should I roast it and then spread it on a baguette? should I use it in a dressing? I’m open to suggestions …I know there are other garlic readers reading this post!! What is your favorite thing to make with garlic? do share….

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