It’s all about food – how to grow it, prepare it, serve it, and love it. Taste Real’s Guelph-Wellington Local Food Fest is a celebration of local food. It happens on Sunday.
For the 11th year, Local Food Fest is coming to a cozy courtyard in the Ignatius Jesuit Centre on the north edge of Guelph.
In previous years, the event featured as many as 50 vendors and exhibitors, and its expected to match those numbers on Sunday. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It has attracted up to 2,000 people in past years.
Sunday’s weather is expected to be hot, up to 31C, with a mix of sun and cloud. The courtyard area behind the Orchard Park building at Ignatius is shaded with large trees. Cold beverages will be served.
Visitors will have a chance to sample and purchase freshly prepared food offered by vendors from across the region. Local breweries and wineries will be on hand, and a host of non-profit organizations will have displays.
Food Fest is noted for it food skills demonstrations – the growing, canning, cooking and preserving of food that is locally produced. Visitors can learn about fermenting, butter making, butchery, baking, and foraging in nature, through workshops offered throughout the day.
There will be food vendors selling fresh from the land produce. In previous years there have been makers of honey and bread, jammers and crafters, and a builder of backyard chicken coops. There was even a goat for children to pet. Children's activities are integral to the event.
Admission is by a minimum donation of $5 per person, or $10 per family.
Last year, Local Food Fest won the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance’s 2015 “Event of the Year.”
