Toronto Underground Market

Toronto Underground Market to kick off in September

When news first broke that an underground food market might be coming to Toronto, there were a fair share of skeptics who doubted that the idea would ever come to fruition on account of Toronto's street food regulations. But in the four months since she conceived of the idea — which was inspired by San Francisco's Underground Night Market — founder Hassel Aviles has put together the first event, which is set to take place at the Evergreen Brick Works on Saturday, September 24th from 6pm to 11pm. Two subsequent dates have been booked for October and November as well.

"It's an opportunity for home cooks to serve their food to the public and make some money while they're at it," explains Aviles in an email announcing the upcoming event. "Some vendors at the market are total newbies, and some are more seasoned chefs." In that sense the market differs from more common food festivals and farmer's markets.

The food will be prepared at the Brick Works or other certified commercial kitchens, which satisfies the chief Toronto Public Health regulation that initially complicated the idea and makes the venue a near-perfect fit. And it doesn't sound like it's going to be particularly expensive. Items on offer will range from $2 to $8 dollars, and admission to the market is $5 bucks. Crucially, there will also be wine and beer, courtesy of yet to be revealed craft breweries and Ontario wineries.

In spite of having to navigate Toronto's often misguided street food regulations, with the growing popularity of food trucks in Toronto and the realization of Aviles' idea, perhaps it's not outrageous to think that the way food is bought and sold in this city is in the first phase of a revolution. It's certainly a nice thought.

Tickets for the Toronto Underground Market go on sale at 12:00. Check here for more information.


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