By Jennifer D’Agostino
There is so much for foodies to enjoy in the city all month long! From Asian food pop-ups, to gingerbread making with the kids, there is something for all ages to do and eat. You can learn how to make festive cocktails or celebrate the New Year on a cruise of the Toronto Harbour. Here are the best food festivals and dining events in Toronto this December. [Photo courtesy of Gibson Museum]
Hop Chow Festival
The Hop Chow Festival is a collaboration between brewers and chefs who have come together to create a menu of delicious eats and brews. Participating vendors include Dang Good BBQ, Kensington Brewing Co., Chau, Cut the Cheese, Cowbell Brewing Co. This event is 19+.
Hearth Cooking Workshop: Sweet Tooth
Dive into historic baking techniques with a workshop dedicated to 19th Century treats. Learn how to make festive baked goods in their historic kitchen. This workshop is suitable for those aged 13 to 17.
Family Holiday Cookie Decorating Party
Rorschach Brewing is hosting a family cookie decorating party. You and the littles can decorate your very own cookies with icing, sprinkles and more! There are two seatings available.
Hoppy Holidays
Celebrate the holidays with a sampling of some of the best beer in the city. The holiday beers are from breweries like BATCH, Junction Craft Brewing, Hometown Brew Co., Goose Island Beer Co. and more. The menu includes poutine with miso gravy, butter chicken on naan and mini Jamaican beef patties.
Jane Austen Christmas Supper
Celebrate the holidays the way famous author, Jane Austen, would. This traditional dinner re-creates popular festive dishes of the 18th Century. The menu includes roasted goose, sausages with apples, mincemeat tarts, and fresh fruit.
Winter Festive Baking
George Brown hosts a series of Winter Festive Baking workshops led by Chef Brenda Torrens. Learn how to bake cookies, festive punches, cocktails, and traditional breads and desserts.
Holly Chai
Take a trip to India this holiday season with a festive holiday dinner at Bombay Street Food. Dine on a delicious four-course meal and a selection of signature chais. There will also be music, prizes and holiday ambiance.
I Heart Beer Holiday Festival
The I Heart Beer Holiday Festival is an epic holiday celebration with breweries from around Ontario. They invite guests to wear an ugly Christmas sweater and sip beer, cider and spirits. There will be a surprise appearance by Santa, as well as classic holiday entertainment!
Santa Brunch Cruise
Mariposa Cruise line is taking to the Toronto Harbour this holiday season with a special Santa brunch! The man in red himself will be on hand to take photos with the whole family. There will be buffet-style brunch with everyone’s favourite holiday dishes!
Holiday Cocktail Workshop with Modest Marce
Marcella DiLondardo from Modest Marce leads a class on creating three holiday cocktails. Learn how to make a salted caramel bourbon cider, a cold brew White Russian and a pomegranate thyme spritzer. All supplies will be provided to make the perfect festive cocktail!
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise
Grab your ugly Christmas sweater and head to Toronto’s waterfront, because Mariposa Cruise is hosting an Ugly Sweater Cocktail Cruise! The three-hour cruise of the harbour includes festive cocktails and an ugly Christmas sweater and Santa costume contest. There will also be fun food stations and a DJ playing Top 40 and holiday classics.
Chau Pop Up x Henderson Brewing
Chau has travelled all over the world serving his modern Asian cuisine, and he is now back in his hometown popping up in breweries across Toronto. This month Chau takes over Henderson Brewing Co., with a menu of pulled pork nachos pulled pork bao and a vegan sloppy Joe.
Stout Night 2017
The sixth annual Stout Night celebrates the best stouts in Ontario. There will be samples from Amsterdam, Bellwood Brewery, Fairweather, Godspeed, Halo, Great Lakes, Left Field and more. There will also be a limited sampling of Zombie’s past brews starting from 2012. Food will be available for purchase.
Holiday Cookie Decorating with Lindsey Bakes
Clothing boutique Kotn and Lindsey Gazel join forces for a holiday cookie-decorating workshop! Gazel, Lindsey Bakes online, is known to create avant garde cookies that are inspired by runway looks. All the supplies will be provided.
Toronto Vegan Winter Market
The Vegan Winter Market is a marketplace that features only vegan-friendly vendors. Attendees can shop at various vegan eateries like Tori’s Bakeshop, Suds, Big Vegan Cake, YamChops and more. The event is hosted by Cooking with Kindness.
12 Beers of the Holidays
The Gladstone Hotel is hosting its annual 12 Beers of the Holidays. Local and award-winning breweries will be on hand, serving festive and fan-favourite beers. An all-you-can-taste event, Gladstone invites guests to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater and cross a beer, or 12, off your list. Tickets will be released soon.
Gingerbread Make & Bake
Included with general admission into the historic Fort York, this event invites children into the Officers’ Mess Kitchen to create traditional gingerbread cookies. The hands-on workshop includes historic cooking utensils and tools used to create the 19th Century gingerbread recipe. Samples can be taken home!
To the New Year: A Gibson House Hogmanay Dinner
The Gibson House hosts its annual Hogmanay Dinner this year. Feast on a three-course meal of traditional Scottish cuisine. There will also be entertainment in the form of interactive history. Celebrate the new year and Canada’s Confederation. Reservations are required.
CRAFT New Year’s Eve Brewmasters Dinner & Party
Ring in the new year at the Brewmasters dinner and party! The menu includes fresh local food that has been perfectly paired with award-winning beers. The four-course meal starts with a welcome beer and includes champagne at midnight. There will also be a live DJ. Participating breweries include Collective Arts, Left Field, Beau’s Brewery, Steamwhistle and Nicklebrook.
NYE Dinner Gala Cruise
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a four-hour cruise through the Toronto Harbour. Dine on a deluxe dinner buffet and specialty cocktails. There will be a live DJ to get guests dancing and sparkling wine toast at midnight. This event has reserved seating.
