2012 Wine and Food Festival [Events]
2012 Nov 1
I'd suggest arriving as early as you can, because there is not only the line-up to get in to consider, but the line-ups and general crowding inside the show... Usually, the line-up to get in only gets really bad when the place is filled to capacity, meaning that they have to wait for people to leave before letting more in. But even if you get in before that happens, "filled to capacity" is not what I'd consider as fun.
If it was me, I'd try not only to get in before the place is full, but also to be ready to leave before it reaches that point, because it can become nearly impossible to walk around or get samples when there are as many people as can legally be stuffed into the room...
Of course some people are more tolerant of big compact crowds than others, some people like being part of a big crowd and find that those shows are boring when half-empty. Go with your preferences.
If it was me, I'd try not only to get in before the place is full, but also to be ready to leave before it reaches that point, because it can become nearly impossible to walk around or get samples when there are as many people as can legally be stuffed into the room...
Of course some people are more tolerant of big compact crowds than others, some people like being part of a big crowd and find that those shows are boring when half-empty. Go with your preferences.
2012 Nov 1
Skip the madness and drink at home. The lines are shorter and the company a lot more palatable, in my opinion. You don't even have to reserve early. Just come on over and sample my many wares.
You know, that isn't a bad idea. Maybe next year we could organize something between us with food and ... you know ... wine or something. Potluck. Everyone makes a dish and brings a bottle of something. Don't forget the secret handshake at the door.
It's got to be better than the overpriced food and drink they have at this event. I'm pretty sure I'd like the company better. I stopped going about 10 years ago when the tenor changed from a great place to go and find out where the really good restaurants are to a place to go and get trampled by college kids trying to get wasted and (with any luck) laid. I've heard that prices just keep going up and up and even if the quality is rising with it, I'm not interested in the crowd that it attracts.
Old man is old.
That's just me. Your mileage may vary.
You know, that isn't a bad idea. Maybe next year we could organize something between us with food and ... you know ... wine or something. Potluck. Everyone makes a dish and brings a bottle of something. Don't forget the secret handshake at the door.
It's got to be better than the overpriced food and drink they have at this event. I'm pretty sure I'd like the company better. I stopped going about 10 years ago when the tenor changed from a great place to go and find out where the really good restaurants are to a place to go and get trampled by college kids trying to get wasted and (with any luck) laid. I've heard that prices just keep going up and up and even if the quality is rising with it, I'm not interested in the crowd that it attracts.
Old man is old.
That's just me. Your mileage may vary.
2012 Nov 2
I'm going on the Sunday again this year. The food was nothing special last year, but for the price of admission plus ~ $50 in tasting tickets (i.e. about the price of a decent bottle of Scotch), I was able to sample a wide range of alcoholic beverages and chat with some great people who were passionate about their product. For me? Totally worth it!
I sincerely hope the Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol people are there again... the LCBO needs to start carrying their product.
I sincerely hope the Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol people are there again... the LCBO needs to start carrying their product.
2012 Nov 3
Was it a meat market on the Sunday FF?
I assume all the desperate horny's would be nursing a pretty good hangover and, or, sitting in line at the clinic to get a shot for the sudden redness and itching they woke up with on Sunday.
I'm with Rizak, I'd rather stay home and cook a good meal and get wasted on terrific booze in my own house than get trampled by a bunch of hormone and sweat secreting morons hell bent on "tasting" anything that moves...
However
...If the Sunday is nothing like the other experiences I've had there I might be interested in checking it out.
I assume all the desperate horny's would be nursing a pretty good hangover and, or, sitting in line at the clinic to get a shot for the sudden redness and itching they woke up with on Sunday.
I'm with Rizak, I'd rather stay home and cook a good meal and get wasted on terrific booze in my own house than get trampled by a bunch of hormone and sweat secreting morons hell bent on "tasting" anything that moves...
However
...If the Sunday is nothing like the other experiences I've had there I might be interested in checking it out.
2012 Nov 3
Following up a bit on FF's note, if they have something available for tasting at this show, shouldn't you be able to get it somewhere once the show is done? That's one of the things that bugged me. I found a couple of nice bottles of something or a nice liquor at these shows that I was then unable to source. Grrrr. Arrrrgh.
2012 Nov 3
I agree with Stuart and Rizak, last year was a meat market. A man "accidentally" fondled my friends boobs, another was obnoxiously flirting and aggressively following us to the point that he tripped and spilled wine all over himself....
Now, just the mention of "food and wine show" makes me claustrophobic and exhausted. If I do decide to go again, I think I will be bring a bodyguard :)
Now, just the mention of "food and wine show" makes me claustrophobic and exhausted. If I do decide to go again, I think I will be bring a bodyguard :)
2012 Nov 4
The Sunday was definitely NOT a meat market. Very subdued and civilized... even the mayor dropped by!
Rizak, the Hacienda de Chihuahua folks were there last year trying to promote their product so the LCBO would start carrying it. Really, the LCBO should focus less on carrying a million varieties of red wine and just carry the good ones, making room for a wider selection of spirits. I'm tired of having to cross the river to Quebec just to buy an effing bottle of maraschino liqueur! (Just checked LCBO and the nearest one is in Gananaoque... lol.)
Rizak, the Hacienda de Chihuahua folks were there last year trying to promote their product so the LCBO would start carrying it. Really, the LCBO should focus less on carrying a million varieties of red wine and just carry the good ones, making room for a wider selection of spirits. I'm tired of having to cross the river to Quebec just to buy an effing bottle of maraschino liqueur! (Just checked LCBO and the nearest one is in Gananaoque... lol.)
2012 Nov 5
That's good to know FF.
I just noticed a sign today in Kanata for the wine and food how bing held there on Nov 15th. Looks like a ticket gets you in the door and access to everything without buying secondary tickets to try stuff.
Might be worth checking out.
kanatachamber.com
I just noticed a sign today in Kanata for the wine and food how bing held there on Nov 15th. Looks like a ticket gets you in the door and access to everything without buying secondary tickets to try stuff.
Might be worth checking out.
kanatachamber.com
2012 Nov 5
I was just at Rendez-vous Des Saveurs at the Leamy Casino in Hull in October.
It was only $10 for admisssion and almost no lineups and generous"samples".
But this event was only local quebec restaurants and some local farms selling products there.
It was neat because you could buy products like jams,pate,meats to take home too!
Spending $25 just for admission to the crowded wine and food show is kind of a lot. I don't drink tons, usually drink other people's wine bottles and do not buy that much wine myself (I did buy myself a $25 bottle of wine....I guess that is kind of cheap?? lol).
At the food show at the casino I bought a pasta dish from L'Oree du Bois and it was only $3 and was made with Coprin mushrooms and delicious. large serving too...around 1 cup I'd say or a decent side dish?
-they also had some roasted quail dish for $5 .
What I also liked about the Rendez-vous Saveurs was they had activities and a special sesction with kids workshops.
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I also know that in Dec for FREE at the museum of civilization in Hull there is a Holiday market with many food vendors, last two years they had free wine samples and other free food samples.
Also a lot of local crafts!
I do not know the exact dates yet
It was only $10 for admisssion and almost no lineups and generous"samples".
But this event was only local quebec restaurants and some local farms selling products there.
It was neat because you could buy products like jams,pate,meats to take home too!
Spending $25 just for admission to the crowded wine and food show is kind of a lot. I don't drink tons, usually drink other people's wine bottles and do not buy that much wine myself (I did buy myself a $25 bottle of wine....I guess that is kind of cheap?? lol).
At the food show at the casino I bought a pasta dish from L'Oree du Bois and it was only $3 and was made with Coprin mushrooms and delicious. large serving too...around 1 cup I'd say or a decent side dish?
-they also had some roasted quail dish for $5 .
What I also liked about the Rendez-vous Saveurs was they had activities and a special sesction with kids workshops.
---------------------
I also know that in Dec for FREE at the museum of civilization in Hull there is a Holiday market with many food vendors, last two years they had free wine samples and other free food samples.
Also a lot of local crafts!
I do not know the exact dates yet
2012 Nov 9
I'm siding squarely with the "just don't go" crowd on this one. I'm voting with my feet (or in this case, the absence thereof) until they make some changes that make the event:
a) more reasonably priced
b) less of a hassle (lineups, crowds, etc.)
Don't get me wrong; I like the concept, but I think it's too big of a beast to extract enough enjoyment out of given the price tag (See Prettytasty's review of Rendez-vous des saveurs, for example).
Does it mean making it smaller scale? Extending the length of the show, etc.? Not sure!
a) more reasonably priced
b) less of a hassle (lineups, crowds, etc.)
Don't get me wrong; I like the concept, but I think it's too big of a beast to extract enough enjoyment out of given the price tag (See Prettytasty's review of Rendez-vous des saveurs, for example).
Does it mean making it smaller scale? Extending the length of the show, etc.? Not sure!
2012 Nov 9
Saurian, your two suggested changes are at odds with each other. The price is only too high if not enough people are going. Lower the price and the lineups/crowds will only increase.
I know that kind of sucks for us all, but it's how the free market works. When I'm in a crowded restaurant and someone comments that the prices are too high I always say, "Until there are empty tables the price is not too high." Too high for me, maybe, but not "too high" in the big-picture sense. :-)
For me, the price of the OWFF is almost too high but still worth it to sample a wide range of products. And I go on the Sunday to beat the crowds.
I gather from Twitter that Seed to Sausage will be there (in the Kingston booth). And our own Petit Bill's Bistro as well. That's a great start!
[EDIT: Also SteaK and Milestones booths reported by Ron Eade.] (I really wish they'd just publish a list somewhere!)
I know that kind of sucks for us all, but it's how the free market works. When I'm in a crowded restaurant and someone comments that the prices are too high I always say, "Until there are empty tables the price is not too high." Too high for me, maybe, but not "too high" in the big-picture sense. :-)
For me, the price of the OWFF is almost too high but still worth it to sample a wide range of products. And I go on the Sunday to beat the crowds.
I gather from Twitter that Seed to Sausage will be there (in the Kingston booth). And our own Petit Bill's Bistro as well. That's a great start!
[EDIT: Also SteaK and Milestones booths reported by Ron Eade.] (I really wish they'd just publish a list somewhere!)
2012 Nov 10
So it was actually pretty good - the layout in the Convention Centre has a lot of space between booths which meant it didn't feel too rammed full. We went around 3:30 which helped as well, by the time we left around 7:30 there were people queueing outside to get into the queue inside to get into the queue at the entrance. Madness. It still didn't feel too busy on the show floor though, it was a huge improvement compared with the last time I went, which was Lansdowne two years ago.
My biggest complaint - it isn't named correctly. It should be called the Ottawa Wine Festival, because there's very little food there. What there was was good, but it's 90% wine producers which is fine, but I wanted much more food.
We were lucky enough to have complimentary tickets to Taste Alley, which is a VIP section upstairs where all the wine and food is free (or at least, included in the cost of the tickets which I believe were about $80). If you're going to go later on this would definitely be the better approach, because it gives you a wristband that allows you to move freely between floors and crucially, get in without having to fight the huge queues.
Overall, not bad.
My biggest complaint - it isn't named correctly. It should be called the Ottawa Wine Festival, because there's very little food there. What there was was good, but it's 90% wine producers which is fine, but I wanted much more food.
We were lucky enough to have complimentary tickets to Taste Alley, which is a VIP section upstairs where all the wine and food is free (or at least, included in the cost of the tickets which I believe were about $80). If you're going to go later on this would definitely be the better approach, because it gives you a wristband that allows you to move freely between floors and crucially, get in without having to fight the huge queues.
Overall, not bad.
2012 Nov 10
My wife and I have been going to the Wine & Food shindig for decades. We almost always go on Friday at noon, and this year was no exception. What was exceptional was the shabby treatment we got this year.
In the past, we've bought our tickets at the door (up until a few years ago, that was the only option). Noting that online advance ticket purchase bumped the price of a $22 ticket up to about $32 (HST plus a hefty Capital Tickets service fee), we figured we'd save a bit of money and queue up to buy tickets at the door, which in the past was a fairly painless procedure. We arrived quite early and made our way to the ground floor lobby, found a place to sit near the ticket booth, and settled down to wait. We had hoped they would start selling tickets before noon, but weren't really surprised to find that they wouldn't - after all, they want to steer people to their online ticket seller. Folks arriving after us weren't so lucky, as they were told they couldn't wait in the lobby, and were herded outside to wait in the cold. We expected to be given the boot too, but instead we were ignored.
Noon rolled around, and we made our way to the ticket booth just before they let the shivering hordes in. Alas, in the ticket booth, there was only chaos: people were running around with cables and power bars, booting and rebooting computers, etc. Among other things, they had no Internet access. Don't they check these things out beforehand? Apparently not. They said they might have to only accept cash, but they weren't even ready to do that. Finally, as it approached 12:30, they finally got things sorted out, and opened for business. That's when we got the really rude surprise: two tickets = $68! They actually had the gall to charge more at the door than online for the patient people who waited in the cold. Much grumbling ensued, and angry words were spoken, but a show organizer insisted that the higher ticket prices at the door was mentioned on the show website. This was news to us, and to those around us. We later found out that this was true, at least technically, but the higher prices aren't mentioned on the main page, they're buried in a FAQ list on another page that we'd never noticed.
Anyway, we finally knuckled under and paid the inflated entrance fee. And did I mention the hefty $4 coat check fee? Then came the final indignity: we headed over to the escalator to go up to the show level, and were stopped by a security dude, who told us the escalators were for VIPs only. The rest of us lowly scum had to walk up the ramp instead. Wow, talk about petty elitist BS!
When we finally got in, the show was actually pretty good. The crowds weren't bad at all, and we had a lot of nice chats with folks in the booths, and renewed some old acquaintances. As mentioned by the previous poster, there is an abundance of wine and other booze available, but the food side is a bit lacking (quality is generally good, but there isn't a lot of choice). Another disappointment was the demo kitchen. There used to be (before the show changed hands) a special seating area and a succession of interesting (and free) demos, complete with food samples, but now there is pretty much zilch. Guess the idea is to minimize the freebies and steer people towards the additional-cost events.
Overall, being wine aficionados, we still enjoyed the event, but the initial hassles and general money-grubbing still leave a sour taste. Next year, we may well find something better to do with our hard-earned.
In the past, we've bought our tickets at the door (up until a few years ago, that was the only option). Noting that online advance ticket purchase bumped the price of a $22 ticket up to about $32 (HST plus a hefty Capital Tickets service fee), we figured we'd save a bit of money and queue up to buy tickets at the door, which in the past was a fairly painless procedure. We arrived quite early and made our way to the ground floor lobby, found a place to sit near the ticket booth, and settled down to wait. We had hoped they would start selling tickets before noon, but weren't really surprised to find that they wouldn't - after all, they want to steer people to their online ticket seller. Folks arriving after us weren't so lucky, as they were told they couldn't wait in the lobby, and were herded outside to wait in the cold. We expected to be given the boot too, but instead we were ignored.
Noon rolled around, and we made our way to the ticket booth just before they let the shivering hordes in. Alas, in the ticket booth, there was only chaos: people were running around with cables and power bars, booting and rebooting computers, etc. Among other things, they had no Internet access. Don't they check these things out beforehand? Apparently not. They said they might have to only accept cash, but they weren't even ready to do that. Finally, as it approached 12:30, they finally got things sorted out, and opened for business. That's when we got the really rude surprise: two tickets = $68! They actually had the gall to charge more at the door than online for the patient people who waited in the cold. Much grumbling ensued, and angry words were spoken, but a show organizer insisted that the higher ticket prices at the door was mentioned on the show website. This was news to us, and to those around us. We later found out that this was true, at least technically, but the higher prices aren't mentioned on the main page, they're buried in a FAQ list on another page that we'd never noticed.
Anyway, we finally knuckled under and paid the inflated entrance fee. And did I mention the hefty $4 coat check fee? Then came the final indignity: we headed over to the escalator to go up to the show level, and were stopped by a security dude, who told us the escalators were for VIPs only. The rest of us lowly scum had to walk up the ramp instead. Wow, talk about petty elitist BS!
When we finally got in, the show was actually pretty good. The crowds weren't bad at all, and we had a lot of nice chats with folks in the booths, and renewed some old acquaintances. As mentioned by the previous poster, there is an abundance of wine and other booze available, but the food side is a bit lacking (quality is generally good, but there isn't a lot of choice). Another disappointment was the demo kitchen. There used to be (before the show changed hands) a special seating area and a succession of interesting (and free) demos, complete with food samples, but now there is pretty much zilch. Guess the idea is to minimize the freebies and steer people towards the additional-cost events.
Overall, being wine aficionados, we still enjoyed the event, but the initial hassles and general money-grubbing still leave a sour taste. Next year, we may well find something better to do with our hard-earned.
2012 Nov 12
Hmmm... what did we taste? It's all a bit of a blur right now! We used to keep tasting notes, but we've gotten lazy in our old age.
As is our custom, we did make a point of tasting quite a few of the medal winners in the "wine challenge" competition. It looks like they've already taken the 2012 event site down (or at least made it less visible), but you can still find a list (PDF) of the medal winners online. If you google "Ottawa wine and food challenge winners", it's the second hit that comes up. The "best of show" red and white (Coyote's Run 2010 Red Paw Vyd Pinot Noir from Niagara, and Alpine Valley Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand) were certainly very nice. We managed to get some of each at the LCBO (scored four bottles of the Sauv Blanc in Manotick today), but they're probably getting to be in very short supply now.
Other than chasing down medal winners (some of which we never saw, and were probably only available in the "Tasting Alley" event at extra cost), mostly we looked for interesting food, and then cast about for some wine that we thought would be a good match for it. We mainly focused on Ontario wineries... a few that come to mind that impressed us were Huff (Chardonnay and Pinot Gris), Good Earth (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), and Lailey (Pinot Noir), but I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch more.
One real oddity about the show this year: no coffee in sight, anywhere. Pity.
As is our custom, we did make a point of tasting quite a few of the medal winners in the "wine challenge" competition. It looks like they've already taken the 2012 event site down (or at least made it less visible), but you can still find a list (PDF) of the medal winners online. If you google "Ottawa wine and food challenge winners", it's the second hit that comes up. The "best of show" red and white (Coyote's Run 2010 Red Paw Vyd Pinot Noir from Niagara, and Alpine Valley Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand) were certainly very nice. We managed to get some of each at the LCBO (scored four bottles of the Sauv Blanc in Manotick today), but they're probably getting to be in very short supply now.
Other than chasing down medal winners (some of which we never saw, and were probably only available in the "Tasting Alley" event at extra cost), mostly we looked for interesting food, and then cast about for some wine that we thought would be a good match for it. We mainly focused on Ontario wineries... a few that come to mind that impressed us were Huff (Chardonnay and Pinot Gris), Good Earth (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), and Lailey (Pinot Noir), but I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch more.
One real oddity about the show this year: no coffee in sight, anywhere. Pity.
2012 Nov 13
It's run by a woman named Joan Culliton... I think she took it over five years ago?
I went to the show in 2008 on Sunday and had a perfectly lovely time... I had just moved to Ottawa, was doing the sommelier program at Algonquin and wanted to take the time to meet some people and see what was out there. I did find it expensive - as I have said before, I find that the Ottawa food/wine scene is VERY expensive, especially compared to what one can obtain for the price in different cities.
In 2009 I worked at the show, pouring wines for Wines of Ontario. I was working a tasting bar (we had seats, so it was VERY popular) and got to see the craziness of Friday and Saturday from the relative safety of a booth. The level of intoxication - I actually refused to serve some people, it was that bad - and the amount of money being thrown around was a huge surprise.
In 2010 I wasn't living in Ottawa.
In 2011, my friend wanted to go for her birthday. On the Saturday night. I told her I wasn't very excited about the idea and that I would only go if she was willing to arrive before 5 because I didn't want to wait in that line. She and her friend COULD NOT get their act together, so we got there sometime closer to 7 and waited in line for ages. Finally we sold our tickets to someone waiting in line and went out for a nice dinner and the heart and crown. Standing in line for something like that just angers me, especially since it's so unnecessary.
This year I told her I wasn't going and despite some cajoling from other friends, I stuck to my decision.
I honestly believe that the organizer doesn't care about the attendees/patrons of the show. I have attended food/wine shows in at least five different cities and NONE have been as badly organized and executed as the Ottawa show. The pricing is very high - $30 to get in? That's absurd. Especially with the disappearance of the food/wine demos. I have also attended the Toronto Food & Wine Expo and it is an infinitely superior event - the pricing is more reasonable, the lines are minimal and there are a number of "value added" features that make it worthwhile.
Also, has anyone noticed that the Ottawa Citizen runs the same articles every year about this show? Huge lines, disappointed patrons, etc. I'm saving my pennies for Bon Appetit, the California Wine Fair, etc. and letting the cougars keep the Wine & Food Show.
I went to the show in 2008 on Sunday and had a perfectly lovely time... I had just moved to Ottawa, was doing the sommelier program at Algonquin and wanted to take the time to meet some people and see what was out there. I did find it expensive - as I have said before, I find that the Ottawa food/wine scene is VERY expensive, especially compared to what one can obtain for the price in different cities.
In 2009 I worked at the show, pouring wines for Wines of Ontario. I was working a tasting bar (we had seats, so it was VERY popular) and got to see the craziness of Friday and Saturday from the relative safety of a booth. The level of intoxication - I actually refused to serve some people, it was that bad - and the amount of money being thrown around was a huge surprise.
In 2010 I wasn't living in Ottawa.
In 2011, my friend wanted to go for her birthday. On the Saturday night. I told her I wasn't very excited about the idea and that I would only go if she was willing to arrive before 5 because I didn't want to wait in that line. She and her friend COULD NOT get their act together, so we got there sometime closer to 7 and waited in line for ages. Finally we sold our tickets to someone waiting in line and went out for a nice dinner and the heart and crown. Standing in line for something like that just angers me, especially since it's so unnecessary.
This year I told her I wasn't going and despite some cajoling from other friends, I stuck to my decision.
I honestly believe that the organizer doesn't care about the attendees/patrons of the show. I have attended food/wine shows in at least five different cities and NONE have been as badly organized and executed as the Ottawa show. The pricing is very high - $30 to get in? That's absurd. Especially with the disappearance of the food/wine demos. I have also attended the Toronto Food & Wine Expo and it is an infinitely superior event - the pricing is more reasonable, the lines are minimal and there are a number of "value added" features that make it worthwhile.
Also, has anyone noticed that the Ottawa Citizen runs the same articles every year about this show? Huge lines, disappointed patrons, etc. I'm saving my pennies for Bon Appetit, the California Wine Fair, etc. and letting the cougars keep the Wine & Food Show.
2012 Nov 13
The train wreck of long lineups and disappointed customers is partly a problem of how this trade show is marketed. From their FAQ:
"7. Dress Code- The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival is a 27 year tradition. People put on their finest for the event."
The Tasting Floor is nothing more than a trade show. Only the (paid) extraneous workshops and events make it more like a festival. Playing up the whole thing to be a big social event is kind of disingenuous.
We had a pretty fun time on the tasting floor on Sunday. I had been last year and enjoyed the opportunity to try some new products. My wife is more into food than drink, so she didn't find the event to have good value.
I'm more into spirits than wine, and this year's event had noticeably fewer non-wine/beer beverage sampling options. Last year's highlight for me was the Hacienda de Chihuahua sotol, and I was saddened to see that they were not present this year (no Mexico booth at all, and only one tequila in the whole show... and it was being served in a mojito). The LCBO is still not carrying that product, or any sotol, which is another sad fact.
This year's highlight for me was the Dictador 12-Year Colombian rum. The booth was manned by the owner himself, and he became quite chatty after I asked a reasonably intelligent question. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he was likely happy to talk after a weekend of serving up samples to groups who just want to toss it back to get drunk ASAP. This rum is spectacular! He was particularly proud of the 20-Year version, but unfortunately the LCBO doesn't carry that one.
Dictador 12-Year review: therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com
"7. Dress Code- The Ottawa Wine and Food Festival is a 27 year tradition. People put on their finest for the event."
The Tasting Floor is nothing more than a trade show. Only the (paid) extraneous workshops and events make it more like a festival. Playing up the whole thing to be a big social event is kind of disingenuous.
We had a pretty fun time on the tasting floor on Sunday. I had been last year and enjoyed the opportunity to try some new products. My wife is more into food than drink, so she didn't find the event to have good value.
I'm more into spirits than wine, and this year's event had noticeably fewer non-wine/beer beverage sampling options. Last year's highlight for me was the Hacienda de Chihuahua sotol, and I was saddened to see that they were not present this year (no Mexico booth at all, and only one tequila in the whole show... and it was being served in a mojito). The LCBO is still not carrying that product, or any sotol, which is another sad fact.
This year's highlight for me was the Dictador 12-Year Colombian rum. The booth was manned by the owner himself, and he became quite chatty after I asked a reasonably intelligent question. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he was likely happy to talk after a weekend of serving up samples to groups who just want to toss it back to get drunk ASAP. This rum is spectacular! He was particularly proud of the 20-Year version, but unfortunately the LCBO doesn't carry that one.
Dictador 12-Year review: therumhowlerblog.wordpress.com
2012 Nov 13
I used to go every year when it was the food and wine show. Once it switched to wine and food, my visites there became more sporadic. I'm really more interested in the food (and I also live too far to take a bus or cab there, so I can't try that many drinks).
I was planning to go this year anyway, but when the opening dinner was announced, and I saw that every guest would be getting the new Martin Picard cookbook, I calculated that I could buy a ticket to that event for the same price it would cost me to attend the show and buy the cookbook. So that is what I did. And I don't regret it at all. I think I got more enjoyment for my money that way.
The food was what I expected, and sometimes even more! Let's say that when the server added about a pound of foie gras to the pot of pea soup on the table, we could see what we were in for o.0 I probably shouldn't actually use the cookbook (maybe it should come with a warning label?)... but we'll see how evil I feel during the holidays.
So maybe the main show is not what it used to be, but they can still put on some good events. The farms visits looked interestign too, maybe next year
I was planning to go this year anyway, but when the opening dinner was announced, and I saw that every guest would be getting the new Martin Picard cookbook, I calculated that I could buy a ticket to that event for the same price it would cost me to attend the show and buy the cookbook. So that is what I did. And I don't regret it at all. I think I got more enjoyment for my money that way.
The food was what I expected, and sometimes even more! Let's say that when the server added about a pound of foie gras to the pot of pea soup on the table, we could see what we were in for o.0 I probably shouldn't actually use the cookbook (maybe it should come with a warning label?)... but we'll see how evil I feel during the holidays.
So maybe the main show is not what it used to be, but they can still put on some good events. The farms visits looked interestign too, maybe next year
2012 Nov 13
The PDC Sugar Shack cookbook represents the most awesome dichotomy.
On the one hand, it's a work of art, much like the El Bulli cookbook. You buy it to marvel at what you could eat, not to make it yourself.
On the other hand, though, it's a workman's cookbook. It's got step-by-step photos for the recipes, which really helps you get a feel for what you're supposed to be doing. (The step-by-step photos are what really sold me on Ruhlman's Twenty (www.amazon.ca). Well, the photos and the awesome content.)
On the one hand, it's a work of art, much like the El Bulli cookbook. You buy it to marvel at what you could eat, not to make it yourself.
On the other hand, though, it's a workman's cookbook. It's got step-by-step photos for the recipes, which really helps you get a feel for what you're supposed to be doing. (The step-by-step photos are what really sold me on Ruhlman's Twenty (www.amazon.ca). Well, the photos and the awesome content.)
2012 Nov 14
I really have a love-hate relationship with the Wine & Food Show.
It's still the best annual event in Ottawa if you're interested in tasting a wide variety of good-quality wine from around the world. And if you go early on Friday (or Sunday, I presume), you get a good chance to chat with some very knowledgeable people in the booths. On the other hand, there is the cost, and a growing list of other irritants. Going to the show used to be a no-brainer for me, but I'm getting very close to the tipping point of giving it a pass.
It's still the best annual event in Ottawa if you're interested in tasting a wide variety of good-quality wine from around the world. And if you go early on Friday (or Sunday, I presume), you get a good chance to chat with some very knowledgeable people in the booths. On the other hand, there is the cost, and a growing list of other irritants. Going to the show used to be a no-brainer for me, but I'm getting very close to the tipping point of giving it a pass.
2012 Nov 14
I gave this show a pass a few years ago when it was at Landsdowne. It was a decision I made personally and professionally as I saw that there had been a big shift in style and demographic. For many years the show was a valuable networking experience, drew in some very informed and interesting consumers, and generally was great to attend and work at. For years we worked the show and then stayed after our shifts to hang out. Then we worked the shows and left right after our shifts. Then we worked shorter and shorter shifts until we finally pulled the plug. The positive consumer experience was gone.
2012 Nov 16
@bdm: I'm going to disagree with you. The Wine & Food Show is not the best annual event for local foods. The Bon Apetit show was pretty amazing, and COMPLETELY local. There weren't wine companies or alcohol distributors from around the world hawking their wares. It was local shops for local people. It was just what I was looking for and I recommend it heartily.
You paid up front, you got to sample whatever you wanted once inside, you got a generous mitten full of drink tickets with your tickets and could buy more if you needed them. I didn't even use up the ones I was given.
Now, this was more a show about the food. Local beer producers were on hand as well and were well used, but there wasn't much in the way of local wine.
You paid up front, you got to sample whatever you wanted once inside, you got a generous mitten full of drink tickets with your tickets and could buy more if you needed them. I didn't even use up the ones I was given.
Now, this was more a show about the food. Local beer producers were on hand as well and were well used, but there wasn't much in the way of local wine.
2012 Nov 16
Rizak, I too recommend Bon Appetit heartily. I've gone every year since... well, I can't remember exactly, but it seems like forever. No question that overall, it's better value and less hassle than the Wine & Food Show, and on the food side of things, it wins hands-down. It really only has two downsides. It's a bit of pain to get to by public transportation, which it is my policy to use if I'm going to be drinking at an event (and it's more of a pain since they moved to the CE... er, Ernst & Young Centre).
The other downside for me is that the wine selection tends to be small, and fairly ho hum in quality. So, for someone who is really into tasting wine, the Wine & Food easily wins that particular comparison, but that may not be enough to get me back there next year. See you at Bon Appetit 2013!
The other downside for me is that the wine selection tends to be small, and fairly ho hum in quality. So, for someone who is really into tasting wine, the Wine & Food easily wins that particular comparison, but that may not be enough to get me back there next year. See you at Bon Appetit 2013!
2016 Apr 28
Has anyone gone to the Bon Appetit the last few years? If so what you think of it and what do you think of this years line up?
bonappetitottawa.ca
bonappetitottawa.ca
Delizioso