Today is the first day of the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, an event that runs all weekend at the the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto. Admission is $15.00 and there are tastings, seminars, and stages running demos throughout the four days. This year’s theme country is France, so there should be some good eats involved.

I’m attending the VIP event this evening so I’ll check in with you next week to let you know if I find anything interesting. In the mean time, here are some links from last years show to give you a taste of the event.

A weekend of food and wine.
Seelbach Cocktail
As predicted, I over did it.

Don’t forget to sign up to have the foodie-file delivered directly to your e-mail inbox, I have seven more cookbooks to give away!

The recipient of my second holiday cookbook gift is Read the rest of this entry »

This weeks question is from Jaqueline and she asks;

I’m having a dinner guest with a gluten allergy. I’d like to made a rustic pear tart for dessert. The recipe calls for AP flour. Can I substitute 1:1 with rice flour? Also, what is the difference between soft and hard flour, what applications are each used in? Thanks

OK, this post is all about flour and since you are about to gear up for your holiday baking, hopefully I can give you some pointers that will lead you to success. Read the rest of this entry »

The Royal has begun! Every year for the past 86 years, farmers from all over trek to the big city to join in Canada’s largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition. The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair takes place in the Direct Energy Building at the Exhibition Place in Toronto from November 7-16. I had a peak around on Friday when I was at the Culinary Book Awards and snapped a couple of pics. The fair is bigger than ever!

I love the livestock shows with the 4-H kids showing off their prized calves, hogs, sheep etc. I caught one of them giving a wash down and blow dry to his pretty calf’s rear end right before judging!

The show really has a bit of everything, food pavilions, wine tastings, best of competitions of everything you can imagine (the butter sculptures are always fun!). Last year I judged the jam and pickle competitions.

The real highlight of Royal is the equestrian shows and rodeos. Well worth the ticket, but the popular ones sell out fast.

And, there is a ton of good (and bad) things to eat! Homemade fudge as far as the eye can see, bison burgers, pemeal bacon sandwiches and they also have fine dining restaurants set up right in show grounds.

Here are links to last year’s posts from the Royal:

Jam Judging at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Peanut Pumpkins! More From The Royal

Enjoy the Royal, let me know if you go and what you find there.

Don’t forget to sign up to have the foodie-file delivered directly to your e-mail inbox, I have seven more cookbooks to give away!

The recipient of my first holiday cookbook gift is Read the rest of this entry »

Last Friday Canadian foodie writers were recognized at the Canadian Culinary Book Awards. The event was to promote excellence in food and beverage writing in English and French. The Cuisine Canada and University of Guelph also sponsored awards to promote Canada’s distinct food culture.

There were three categories in which a gold and silver prize was awarded. The categories were: Canadian food culture, which contained books about Canada’s culinary history, ingredients and regional foods; the cookbook category, focused on recipe books; and special interest which included books about both food and beverages.

Here is a line up of the first place winners in each category: Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s question comes from Dianne: “I have a question about crème fraîche. I can’t find it in my supermarket …  do you have a recipe for crème fraîche? Thanks in advance.” Read the rest of this entry »

My foodie find for this week is a pack of fine brews from Ontario. The Ontario Craft Brewers have cleverly packaged a selection of beers together so beer lovers can try a variety of locally made beers and discover which ones they like. This is the second time the OCB has released a mixed pack, and this one contains a whole new line up.

The six brands featured in this new pack include: Robert Simpson Confederation Ale, Mill Street Tankhouse Ale, Trafalgar Elora Irish Ale, Black Oak Nut Brown Ale, Cameron’s Auburn Ale, and Nickel Brook Apple Pilsner.

We tried them out in the test kitchen and we especially liked the Black Oak Nut Brown, Tankhouse and our ever favourite Cameron’s Auburn Ale. The Apple Pilsner is also interesting, I had tried it at the event OCB held at harthouse in the summer and liked it as a summer drink.

I love these mixed beer packs that get released around the holidays, as they’re a great way to try different beers you wouldn’t ordinarily buy. Plus, it’s a great way to have different styles of beer on hand for everyone.

The discovery packs are available at LCBO stores. Does anyone know if other microbreweries across Canada offer mixed packs?

The holidays are fast approaching, so I have decided to treat my Foodie-file readers to EIGHT WEEKS OF HOLIDAY GIFTS – I am reinstating the cookbook giveaway! Every week from now until New Year’s, Foodie-file subscribers will have the chance to win one out of a variety of eight, brand new 2008 cookbooks. All you have to do to get in on the fun is Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s question comes from an anonymous reader who wants to know “In baking with honey, do I just substitute the called for sugar?”

Here is the scoop on cooking with honey: go ahead and substitute honey for sugar in a salad dressing or marinade in equal quantities or to taste. You will probably be less successful however, Read the rest of this entry »