Holiday party season is right around the corner and your guests deserve better than a two-four of Molson Canadian and those greasy pig-in-a-blanket things. Let The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo, Nov. 14-17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, serve up some inspiration to be bold at your next function.
Watch and learn as Toronto’s finest break out their best beverages in a competition billed as the “Uptown vs. Downtown Throwdown.”
The cocktail mixing competition takes place Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 pm on the Trend Central Tasting Stage, which will showcase current and upcoming beer, wine and cocktail trends throughout the Expo’s four-day run. Keep a close eye for pro-level moves you can pull off at home.
Remember to be adventurous and break away from your fail-safe drinks as you sample from the over 1,500 fine wines, spirits, and beers from around the world. While the crowds can be fierce at times, you'll be surprised by how quickly the lines actually move.
There are plenty of seminars, tastings, and demonstrations, but the expo is really more of a mingle-fest. Play it by ear and make the rounds at your leisure, or sign up for a guided tour hosted by experts ranging from LCBO consultants and brand ambassadors to master critics. Tour prices range from $65 to $150 on top of admission.
Once you’re done with cocktail culture, be sure to check out celebrity chef Roger Mooking, co-host of the Food Network series Everyday Exotic, as he whips up his famous grilled steak with black been shrimp.
Tickets start at $20 for Friday and Sunday and can be purchased at foodandwineexpo.ca. You’d be well advised to buy now because they’ve been known to sell out in previous years. The event is 19+ and no children or infants are allowed entry.