There are a LOT of food festivals in Ontario every summer – an exhaustive list would be exhausting. So we’re just going to pick our favourites. There is one especially that we’re extremely excited about…

Billed as “The World’s Greatest Restaurant Festival,” Taste of Toronto is gearing up to open its Fort York doors to a salivating public this weekend, July 24-27. Attracting some of the top chefs in the city, this year’s festival features sixteen of  Toronto’s top restaurants, upwards of fifty exhibitors of food and beverage and top shelf products featured over the four day stretch.

“Taste” originated in the London England ten years ago, and has since expanded to twenty-one cities worldwide, and is now considered to be the top foodie event in the year. Situated on the grounds of  beautiful and historic Fort York in the heart of Canada’s largest city, this year’s event will be exceptional. “Operating much like a restaurant with lunch and dinner services, Taste of Toronto will be comprised of six half-day sessions lasting anywhere between 4- 5 hours (session dependent) to give you time to enjoy your pick of restaurant dishes, browse the artisan stalls and enjoy some of the many attractions including the Electrolux Taste Theatre, Cookery Masterclasses, the Tasting Room, a VIP Lounge and a Music Stage.”

Oh, and Momofuku’s David Chang will be there.

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Other upcoming food festivals: Did you know that Toronto hosts a Jerk Fest every summer? We do and it has been running for the past thirteen years. This festival devoted to all things jerk even has a So You Think You Can Jerk cooking contest and a jerk chicken wing eating contest. It takes place on August 9-10th in Centennial Park.

I can’t believe it has been three years since the Toronto Underground Market launched. This summer TUM is hosting its first ever Sunday brunch-themed market on August 10th at 99 Sudbury. The Lab Cab Festival is returning to Parkdale on July 26th, this street fest brings art, dance, poetry and music into the restaurants, coffee shops and businesses along Queen West and Roncesvalles.

The 2nd Annual Japanese Summer Festival will take place on July 27th at Yonge and Dundas Square. Last year’s festival brought in 20,000 guests to enjoy the music, dance and market but most especially the delicious offerings from the food vendors. This year they have Happa Izikaya, Bushi Udon Kappo, Tea Shop 168 and many more.