19 Toronto food events to check out this October

Sep 25 2018, 3:23 am

October has a great lineup of food events. With more than one gathering focused on soup, a poutine eating contest, and plenty of beer and wine fun, Toronto’s food scene has no shortage of things-to-do this month.

Smoke’s Poutinerie World Poutine Eating Championship


Back for its 9th year, The annual Smoke’s Poutinerie poutine eating competition is hosting some of the top professional, major-league eaters from around the world as well as some more amateur eaters with plenty of potential. Live music and tons of poutine will light up Dundas square all day.

When: October 13
Where: Yonge-Dundas

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Toronto Soup Festival

Second Harvest is the largest food rescue group in Canada. What better way to support such an amazing organization than with soup? Toronto Soup Festival brings two crazy days filled with decadent soups and artisan exhibitions. Baked goods, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations will all be at this festival too.

When: October 20-21
Where: 100 Garrison Road
Price: Admission is $15

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Cask Days

Coming back for their 14th season, Cask Days celebrates the time before metal kegs and refrigerated coolers with beer that has finished its fermenting just days before it arrives on the drinker’s lips. The event will showcase some of North America’s finest beers and ciders.

When: October 19 – 21
Where: Evergreen Brickworks, 550 Bayview Avenue
Price: Admission varies

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Sustainable Vino, Por Favor

Enjoy delicious Argentinian cuisine at Vos Restaurante Argentino with some sustainably-made wines. Special guest Andrej Razumovsky will speak on Argentina’s wine culture and wine-making environment. Guests can sip and swish over 10 types of wines and eat a whole lot of food.

When: October 16
Time: 7 pm
Where: 847 College Street
Price: Admission is $110

Brewmaster BBQ Dinner

No vegan or vegetarian guests! Brewmaster BBQ feast is all about meat and gluten-filled beer. This event is a collaboration between Lisa Marie and Big Rock Brewery and features beer-infused barbeque masterpieces. Whole smoked chicken, southern-style starters, and much more.

When: October 14
Time: 7 pm
Where: 638 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $75

Tribe Five Dinner – October


Tribe Five Dinner features five female chefs that represent their own culture’s distinct cuisine with a unique dish. This month’s event will see proceeds going to the Stop Community Food Centre, specifically their Healthy Beginnings Program. The five-course vegan meal features flavours from Ireland, Mexico, China, and Pakistan.

When: October 1
Time: 7 pm
Where: Rickshaw Bar, 685 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $55

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Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is an event to help the homeless, with all proceeds going to Anishnawbe Health Toronto. Potters and other artists donate over 400 bowls to be filled with soups made by some of Ontario’s best chefs. At the end of the event, attendees can even take the bowls home. The event last year raised over $15,000 and this year’s event will be a blast.

When: October 11
Time: 5 – 7 pm
Where: Gardiner Museum
Price: Admission is $55

Toronto Catering Showcase

12 of Toronto’s top caterers will show their stuff at the Toronto Catering Showcase. Follow that up with drinks, music, and wine and there’s no way people can’t have an amazing time. Dine with catering names such as Oliver & Bonacini, the Food Dudes, Encore, and many more.

When: October 14
Time: 12 – 4 pm
Where: The Globe and Mail Centre
Price: Admission is $55-$80

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NOSH Hamilton


NOSH Hamilton celebrates the restaurants and the culinary culture of Toronto’s neighbouring city. Described as a “week of culinary adventures and events”, food tours, chef battles, and unique food experiences are all part of this week.

When: October 15 – 21
Where: Across Hamilton, Ontario

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Ontario Craft Cider Maker’s Dinner

Dine into a ten-course tasting menu with five of Ontario’s best ciders. This event celebrates and explores Ontario’s apple harvest with chefs from Her Father’s Cider and Opus Restaurant. Ciders include Pommies, Spirit Tree, Sulker’s Cider, Coffin Ridge, and Fieldbird Cider.

When: October 24
Time: 7 pm
Where: 119 Harbord Street
Price: Admission is $120

Eat to the Beat


60 talented female chefs come together to offers guests a culinary experience of a lifetime—all to raise money to help women facing breast cancer. This event is Eat to the Beat’s 23rd year, and they’re keeping it fresh with a new online auction site and five female chefs from five of Ontario’s culinary schools.

When: October 23
Time:  7 – 10 pm
Where: Roy Thomson Hall
Price: Admission varies

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Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2018

This is a massive party to celebrate the best new restaurants in Canada and reveals the country’s 10 new favourites. The contenders are chosen by Food Critic Nancy Matsumoto, who travelled across the country under fake names to try all the new Canadian spots. These restaurants are then brought to Toronto to dish it out in front of a panel of industry experts.

When: October 25
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
Where: Scotiabank Arena
Price: Admission is $90

2018 Taste Canada Awards Gala

Bringing together industry professionals and Canadian food and beverage writers, Taste Canada hosts an annual gala in Toronto to celebrate the achievements of everyone in food. The event hosts an annual student chef battle and has honoured hundreds of Canadian food and drink writers—whether they write for print or for blogs.

When: October 29
Time: 5:30 – 10 pm
Where: Fairmont Royal York Hotel, 100 Front Street West
Price: Admission ranges from $20-135

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The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Cannabis-Infused Edibles and Beverages

Marijuana is very close to legalization in Canada, and with access to such a unique product, entrepreneurs are lining up to prepare all kinds of businesses. The entrepreneur’s guide to cannabis-infused edibles and beverages is a conference to educate entrepreneurs and other business people on the prospects of marijuana in food and drinks. There will be a ton of speakers from across the industry, with a keynote from the Herb Chef.

When: October 15
Where: 215 King Street East
Price: Admission varies

Mark Anthony Portfolio Tasting

One of the premier wine purveyors in Ontario, Mark Anthony sells to Toronto’s favourite restaurants, boutiques, and retailers. The event is taste-to-buy and admission is free. There will be a blind tasting challenge with a $1,000 wine education scholarship prize. The event will feature over a dozen wines and spirits.

When: October 3
Time: 1 – 5 pm
Where: 340 Yonge Street, 3/F
Price: Admission is free

Italian Wine Expo 2018

The Italian Wine Expo is here with delicious delicacies from all over Italy. For $25, attendees can rejoice in snacks and five wine tokens. The public tasting lasts from 5-8pm, but for those interested in the media tour or walk-around trade tasting, spots are limited and a reservation is a must.

When: October 15
Time: 1:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: 251 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $25

Canadian Pizza Summit

This is the only trade show in Canada dedicated to everyone’s favourite art form: pizza making. Whether someone is a pizzeria owner or employee, or are looking to get into the industry, this show is perfect for all kinds of people. (Or for anyone who just really likes pizza). See over 12 exhibitions specializing in the pizza industry, keynote speakers on topics such as millennial attitudes, and educational seminars.

When: 15 October
Where: 672 Dupont Street
Price: Admission is free

Vegan Oktoberfest


Oktoberfest isn’t always about the meatiness of a sausage. Vegans can join in the fun too. Try some of Vegan Oktoberfest’s famous vegan schnitzel and black-eyed pea sausages. Products are also served on biodegradable dinnerware to keep it environmentally friendly.

When: October 14
Time: Noon
Where: The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West
Price: Admission is $5

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In Conversation with Anthony Rose: The Last Schmaltz

Brought to you by the Toronto Reference Library, Anthony Rose, also known as “Toronto king of comfort food,” the “Don of Dupont,” and the “Sultan of Smoked Meat,” will discuss his first cookbook: the Last Schmaltz. Relax in an evening filled with amazing food writing and one of Toronto’s leading culinary figures.

When: October 17
Time: 7 – 8 pm
Where: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
Price: Admission is free

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