By Jennifer D’Agostino
This is the time of year to welcome spring, and Toronto is celebrating the new season with dining events! May is filled with loads of foodie events including a festival dedicated to brunch, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and a Star Wars wine and spirits competition. Here are 20 food festivals and dining events to keep your tummy full all month long! [Photo credit: Courtesy of Veggielicious]
Get ready to rock at this year’s Brewer’s Plate because the theme is rock and roll! The annual event features beer and food pairings from some of the city’s best, like Beau’s All Natural, Steam Whistle, Wellington Brewery, Globe Bistro, Mangia & Bevi and Cheese Boutique. There will be a silent auction with proceeds benefiting War Child Canada.
Celebrate the best in Italian cinema with a prix-fixe gourmet meal at Ristorante Boccaccio. ICFF’s Artistic Director, Cristiano De Florentiis, leads a discussion about contemporary Italian film and the upcoming lineup for the 2017 Italian Contemporary Film Festival.
Celebrate Star Wars Day (May 4) with some light and dark brews! All vendors will be showcasing light and dark wines, beer or spirits, and will be taking your vote for the best in show.
Vegetarians can enjoy prix-fixe meals across the city at some of Toronto’s leading vegetarian restaurants. The organization is also hosting a pop-up event at Artscape Sandbox on the 7th that features YamChops, Apiecalypse Now, Rawlicious and more.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the 6th with the good folks at Baro and El Caballito! Celebrate with Mexican food, Tromba drinks and a fiesta. You choose the check-in destination when purchasing tickets and then move on to the second venue when you’re ready!
The Leslieville Food & Drink Festival is back this year and has even more participants than ever! Stroll through the neighbourhood, and wine and dine at some the best restaurants in the area. There’s also live music and a silent auction to benefit Michael Garron Hospital.
CC Lounge celebrates the Big Derby with a brunch from the Prohibition era! Big Brunch is an afternoon filled with food, cocktails, raffle prizes and dancing, all in support of Big Brother Big Sisters Toronto. Costumes are recommended.
In support of Variety Village, Pizza Nova locations across Southern Ontario are selling medium-sized pepperoni pizza for $4.39 (walk-in customers only). For each sale, $1 goes towards Variety Village.
Cinema and food meet at TIFF’s Food on Film screening series. Chef Matty Matheson leads a discussion about the classic film American Graffiti and his approach to food, inspired by music and friendship. No word yet on price of tickets.
Catalan Connection is a dining experience hosted by Chef Andres Salomon. The Barcelona-inspired menu includes dishes like Gazpacho De Maiz, Carne de Vaca and more. The menu is paired with five Spanish wines.
Experience the robust taste of American bourbon at Henry VII Ale House alongside canapes. The guided tasting includes a selection of four of the finest bourbons.
Tasty Tour’s presents the ultimate chocolate tour for mothers across Toronto. The walking-tour includes stops at Soma, and other chocolate shops where there will be samples, chocolate making demonstrations and more.
This walking tour of Kensington Market discusses the history of the iconic neighbourhood, and makes stops along the way. Visit the multicultural food stores, score samples from each and enjoy a custom dish created specifically for the tour!
Chef Shoji demonstrates how to make Mochi Manju, a Japanese confection, for Asian Heritage Month. There are samples to take home! Registration is required.
Summer comes early to Yonge-Dundas Square, because the Rib & Craft Beer Fest sets up shop for two Saturdays in May! Participating pit-masters include Kentucky Smokehouse, New York BBQ and Louisiana BBQ, with local brews by Flying Monkey, Naughty Otter, Barnstormer Brewing and more.
Spring is in session at Toronto’s Festival of Beer, which features not only the city’s best brews, but live music from The Trews and Elliott Brood. Beer is provided by Lost Craft, Batch, Great Lakes, Mill Street and more, with food provided by Tiny Tom Donuts, Smoke’s, and Chimney Stax.
The Waterfront Artisan Market takes place on the newly renovated waterfront. Showcasing the best in artisan products, this weekly event includes vendors like Boreal Gelato, Tropical Cocktails, Your Grilled Cheese and more.
Celebrate the glory that is brunch with a three-day festival! The inaugural event includes every brunch food one can think up, from some of the best brunch hot spots in the city. No word on the participants yet!
One of the hottest culinary events in Toronto, Cuisine and Cuvee is a charity event in support of Providence Healthcare. The event includes more than 40 food stations, a live DJ and hosts the finale of The Chef Cartel’s final battle!
This annual pop-up event showcases the best in gluten-free products. Vendors include Almond Butterfly, Bangkok Garden, Basil Box, Fresh and more! The first 500 guests receive free Gluten Free Garage totes.
Chef David Lee hosts a Winemakers Dinner with award winners Henry of Pelham. The dinner showcases the best in fresh seasonal ingredients, and will be served family-style. This event is an opportunity to meet Chef David Lee and winemaker Matthew Speck.
