Toronto's first ever Poutine Fest recently took place at Yonge & Dundas Square.
The event featured 50 varieties of poutine ranging from traditional Quebecois poutine with gravy and cheese curds to bacon double cheeseburger poutine and even apple pie poutine (yes, you read that right). Unlike the majority of food festivals, guests of Toronto Poutine Fest did not have to pay an entry free, which let's face it, is a deterrent for many people who can't justify the extra expense.
The four-day event not only included vendors from all over Ontario, but Quebec too. This caused Toronto-based chain Smoke's Poutinerie, who hosts the annual World Poutine Eating Championship (also at Yonge & Dundas Square) to solicit a boycott of Toronto Poutine Fest. The end result of the gravy slinging? A cease and desist letter after Smoke's used Toronto's Poutine Fest's logo and a fight over whether or not Smoke's was invited to the festival to begin with. Who knew Canada's national dish could cause so much drama?
Despite the drama, the event got a huge turnout. Sean and I decided to go the gourmet seafood route and got a popcorn shrimp and lobster roll poutine respectively. After attending a few food events where I felt like food prices were inflated for what you got, this festival was a little better. Even though I paid $17 for my poutine, it was a normal sized portion and there were large chunks for lobster meat in it (including the claw), so I can't complain and again there was no entry fee. When everything was said and done, this was a good event, especially for its inaugural year. Congratulations to Wickedly Sinful who's steak poutine was crowned best dish.