Showing posts with label Bloggers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloggers. Show all posts

Thursday, May 25, 2017

CATCH UP 2017

2017  So far sooo good!

Having a child has really taken the wind out of the sails of my blog writing, Two posts in the last two years!?  I promise to do better!  I haven't been sitting on my laurels in the world of tea however, so let me bring you up to speed.

Since travelling back west last year, I was busy busy at my day job while preparing for the Toronto Tea Festival!  It was the 5th Annual and it went off without a hitch.  I was one of the organizers and also handled social media, while my husband lent a hand taking pictures on the day and distributing posters in the weeks beforehand along with the team.  I love tea festivals and this one did not disappoint.  I bought so much tea!
Tea lovers lining up to get into the 5th annual Toronto Tea Festival
Hard working volunteers
Beautiful gaiwan waiting for tea

Tao Tea Leaf (co-sponsor of the Toronto Tea Festival and one of the best tea shops in town)
The winners of the TTF Tea Tasters Box Competition (#teaTastersBoxTO)
Some tasty tidbits to go with all the tea
Honey with tea? Perfect combo!
Dan Bolton of Tea Journey Magazine (Media sponsor)
Puer tea cakes on display (Jalam Teas)

The real spices that can be found in Chaiwala's chai

More shortbread! I HEARD these were really good, they were sold out by the time I got back to their booth. Sniff sniff...

CBC interviewing Kevin Gascoyne of Camellia Sinensis 
Linda Gaylard, The Tea Stylist & fellow Tea Sommelier 

Old guard and new guard. Laura Byran, retiring co-chair and Raelene Gagnon, new co-chair of the Tea Guild of Canada
 (co-sponsor of the TEA FESTIVAL)




Korean Tea Ceremony


Bill Kamula (co-chair of the Tea Guild of Canada and George Brown College tea program instructor) narrating the Chinese Tea Ceremony 

Japanese Tea Ceremony
Featured tasting competitions! Guess who got to steep, pour and mark papers…

After a busy and successful two days, time for some tea! Ahh....



This post featured photos by me and my guy, Drew Taylor: eclectic artist. You can see more of his work @drewtaylorphotos on Instagram.  What makes him eclectic? Writing, acting, directing, photography... drewtaylor.ca .

Monday, July 8, 2013

Farmers Market + Tech Conference = @ Eat Up TO

Yes, you read that right.  A farmers market, food and drink event with a tech conference thrown in the mix...that pretty much sums up the Eat Up TO event that took place on Sunday, June 23rd at 99 Sudbury Ave.
Some of the many sponsors of Eat UP TO
Hosted by Foodea

I was there to help out the only tea company at this yummy and informative event.  My Tea Brew is the brainchild of Certified Tea Sommelier, Donna Sikora.  Donna was my one of my fellow travel mates on my recent China Tea Tour too, so I was more than happy to help her out.  Add great drinks, some of the city's finest food trucks and food tables, with oysters!  Hello, I was there!

Food trucks!


A sunny summer afternoon calls for beer!

La Tromba's Watermelon cucumber margarita was very refreshing
Cool City Oyster Yard - I found another cool oyster house in town


Lucky Limes from Prince Edward Island were fresh, salty and sweet finish, mmm

Service with a smile from San Pellegrino

Donna from My Tea Brew

Donna's handcrafted Red bush Chai Mallow puffs were perfect little fluffy treats!  It had just the right amount of chai flavour, not too sweet and oh so soft.  I could have had two!
Berry berry rooibos on tap - fragrant, light and refreshing



John Placko of the Modern Culinary Academy
Food meets science in molecular cuisine

Flexible caramel and green tea infused aerated white chocolate - looks like sushi, fun to eat!


Kevin from Cheesewerks 
In defense of food photography by Chris from Gastropost
A great little find, La Rivolta pop-up


The arancini was delicious! Light and crispy on the outside and cheesy gooey on the inside and oh so tasty.  A treat from La Rivolta.  Everyone's so friendly at the farmer's market.
Food Media Panel of Wendy Kam Marcy (Hip Urban Girl) , Jen Chan (Foodpr0n), Yvonne Tsui (3 Hungry Cats), Casper Yue (Toronto Food Trucks) and Abbey Sharp (Abbey’s Kitchen) moderated (standing)


Dillion's vodka Thyme Lemonade was a perfect way to cap off the day.  (their vodka is distilled from Niagara grapes!)


The nice fellows from Sangwich (Dolce Lucano) gave us tea gals a treat of sandwiches, thank you guys! 

Cowbell! 
And if you can't tell by now, besides tea, I also really like oysters!!  Pimm's Cup with my last two oysters of the day (Raspberry Points from PEI).

And last but not least, Hot Bunzz!
These cute stuffed buns are a riff on the Chinese baos.
I tried the Bison Short Rib and Brazilian BBQ Beef.  I really enjoyed the flavour of the Bison. The Brazilian BBQ Beef was more similar to a Chinese style baos/buns. The BBQ sauce was made with Brazilian coffee.

They were both tasty buns, but unfortunately because I was chatting with Gayle of the Canadian Foodies Blog so long, the chef had to interject and tell me that "they're not Hot Bunzz anymore". Oh no! They're warm not hot... aww, guess I'll have to get some more soon and devour them right away to get the proper Hot Bunzz experience!
I had such a great time.  I picked up some good information, tasted some yummy food and fantastic drinks.  I look forward to next year's Eat Up TO!  In the meantime, there's a new market in town.... Night Market TO until October for us foodies!

I love to share, so if you liked this post, feel free to share with your friends!