I love Toronto, there’s always a party happening somewhere for whatever reason… but can you believe we’ve never had a Middle Eastern food festival? I know, I was surprised too! With all the delicious Arabic and Middle Eastern foods all over this city, thanks to our beloved population of people with Middle Eastern heritage, I can’t believe it’s taken this long. Toronto’s first Taste of the Middle East Food Festival is going to amaze everyone on August 4th this year, and I cannot wait.
If you’re not familiar with Middle Eastern food, this is the perfect way to learn what delicious things you’ve been missing out on for all these years. You’re sure to run into shawarma and falafel, but do you know what jalab is? How about Turkish coffee? What about mandi? Did you know that the Middle East produces some of the most delicious alcohol in the world, and some of the best non-alcoholic drinks thanks to the large groups of people who don’t drink? Food is so important to Middle Eastern cultures, and you would not believe how much effort goes into every bite of food you eat, and this is the perfect place to discover new favourite foods and check out what Middle Eastern hospitality is all about.
On top of all the delicious foods you’ll run into, there’s also going to be an area for more traditional dishes like kabsa and mandi that need more space to prepare. If that wasn’t exciting enough, there’s also going to be a souk, which is the Arabic word for “market,” where you can view and purchase clothing, jewelry, artwork, and all sorts of other things! And since the festival is being held right by the Dundas Square stage, you can be sure to catch some traditional dancing, singing, and music on top of more modern stuff.
This is definitely a festival that’s not to be missed, and I can’t believe it’s free to attend. The festival will be held at the Yonge-Dundas Square on August 4th, starting at 11AM with a predicted end time of 11 PM.
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