Introducing Tastemaker: A Curated, Immersive Food Festival
Launching May 2018 in Toronto, the Tastemaker series will satisfy North America’s craving for new food experiences.
debuting in Toronto May 18 and 19 at Evergreen Brickworks. Building on the foundation of its world-renowned Taste Festivals series, IMG’s new Tastemaker festival is a highly curated experience purpose-built for a North American audience that appreciates unexpected collaborations and new food experiences.
Designed by the team behind Taste of Toronto, Tastemaker will see renowned chefs from the city’s favourite culinary hot spots collaborating for the first time to create unique dishes exclusive to the festival itself.
Firmly entrenched as one of North America’s biggest culinary destinations, with an ever-increasing number of top restaurants and chefs, Toronto offers gastronomic experiences for every palette.
Festival partners Sobeys and Paderno, will bring interactive activations to Tastemaker, giving guests the opportunity to learn from professional chefs directly and get a taste of never before seen creations.
The Sobeys Tastemaker Kitchen will pair up renowned chefs from the city’s favourite culinary hotspots, who will collaborate for the first time to create unique dishes exclusive to Tastemaker. Guests will have the opportunity to watch the city’s best chefs demonstrate their creativity and 
technical ability up close, whilst interacting with them and tasting their creations. Sobeys is a proud sponsor of the first ever Tastemaker event in Toronto, stating that this ”inaugural event will bring together some of Toronto’s top culinary talent and food aficionados. We believe this unique event embodies the spirit of culinary art and food that celebrate the innovation and diversity that Toronto is renowned for.”
The Paderno Challenge Kitchen will feature two chefs per session competing to produce dishes based on a specific ingredient. The Paderno Challenge Kitchen is an opportunity for guests to learn 
about how to use ingredients in new ways, whilst allowing them to interact with these renowned chefs.
The Tastemasters at Tastemaker have been handpicked and paired up based on their distinct culinary styles and backgrounds, in order to create truly unique dishes and flavours available nowhere else. Each Tastemaker session will feature two chef collaborations at the Sobeys Tastemaker Kitchen, and one chef battle at the Paderno Challenge Kitchen. Chef collaborations include:
Friday, May 18, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sobeys Tastemaker Kitchen:
Afrim Pristine (Cheese Boutique) & Alida Solomon (Tutti Matti)
Michael Hunter (Antler Kitchen & Bar) & Vikram Vij (Vij’s)
- Paderno Challenge Kitchen:
Carl Heinrich (Richmond Station)
Ted Corrado (The Drake)
Saturday, May 19, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
- Sobeys Tastemaker Kitchen:
Rob Gentile (Buca Osteria & Enoteca) & Patrick Kriss (Alo)
Grant van Gameren (Bar Isabel, Bar Raval) & Victor Barry (Piano Piano, Café Cancan)
- Paderno Challenge Kitchen:
Alida Solomon (Tutti Matti)
Elia Herrera (Los Colibris)
Saturday, May 19, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
- Sobeys Tastemaker Kitchen:
Elia Herrera (Los Colibris) & Matt Dean Pettit (Matty’s Seafood Co.)
Ivana Raca (Resto Boemo) & Brad Smith (Resto Boemo)
- Paderno Challenge Kitchen:
Devan Rajkumar (Loch & Quay)
Trevor Lui (Kanpai Snack Bar)
Another feature of the festival is the Toronto Life Pairing Table, which will allow guests to experience unique food and drink pairings. Each session will host intimate talks with food & drink 
experts, where guests are guided through a paired tasting from chefs, producers and craft cocktail mixologists. Pairings include:
- Piano, Piano’s Kale, Bacon and Proscuitto Pizza, paired with an Astral Tequila Paloma
- Fifth Town Cheese Board with The Sunshine Old Fashioned
- Ace Bakery Bruschetta’s with Banrock Station Pink Moscato Sangria
Tickets are now on sale from CDN $60 through Eventbrite. Each all-inclusive ticket allows guests access to all food & drink at the event on a session-based entry.
This event is legal drinking age only (19+).
For more information, visit:
Facebook: @tastemakertour
Instagram: @tastemaker
Twitter: @tastemaker_tour
Website: www.thetastemakertour.com
#TastemakerTO
#TorontoFood
#TorontoEvents
#FoodFest
