Eat & Drink
Vegetarian Food Fair Makes Me Rethink My 3am Greasy Cheesburger Hangover Habit
The 25th annual Vegetarian Food Fair took place this weekend at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre. Despite having excluded one of the major food groups, the festival was bursting at the seams with booths displaying delectable meat alternatives and, my favourite, abundant samples.
In the past, I have made mild attempts at becoming vegetarian that never lasted longer than two weeks. This is mainly due to my lack of culinary competence, and the fact that greasy cheeseburgers are my ideal hangover food.
However, the fair had numerous cooking demonstrations and talks geared towards the less vegetably-inclined wannabes similar to myself. These demonstrations highlighted easy-to-make recipes that fulfill all the nutritional requirements while still managing to taste good.
The fair also focused on locally grown, organic, and fair trade options available to the vegetarian consumer. One of the more popular booths at the fair was Sweets from the Earth Desserts, which boasted delicious vegan fudge, cheesecake, and other pastries made without using eggs or dairy products.
Those with a sweet tooth could also find delight by visiting GoBio, which displayed an array of gummy bears, licorice, and other candies. Any guilt I felt while feasting on these tantalizing sweets could be slightly drowned out by the mantra "Hey, at least it's organic" running through my head.
While walking around to the humble acoustic set being played on the Redpath Stage, I was more than a little envious of the tired fair-goers decompressing at Shiatsu by Sher's while others lined up outside another booth offering massages nearby.
With the fair's diverse lineup of exhibitors, it was clear that it had a little of something for everyone. Even those who are not vegetarian could pick up a few tips and tricks on making those vegetables that much tastier and meals that much healthier.
This year's Vegetarian Food Fair was definitely one of the most appetizing vegetarian experiences I've had yet. Who knows, maybe by the time the 26th fair rolls around I'll be a successful vegetarian, and greasy veggie burgers will be the cure my hangovers.
Photos by Sydney Helland
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Non-vegetarians are always so concerned with protein sources for vegetarians and I think the Food Fair is an amazing time to share the joys of beans, quinoa and lentils with the masses rather than focus on 10,000 ways to manipulate soy. Perhaps I'm wrong and at the end of the day people are just looking for a vegetarian replacement for their greasy cheeseburger. While there were some healthier options (raw goodies at Live, fruit cups & thai coconuts and spicy corn soup) I think that too many of the food options at the Fair really missed an opportunity to share the joy of healthy, well-balanced vegetarian cuisine with the masses.
One fake meat product I do honestly love is soy jerky. They haven't had a table at the fair in a few years and I haven't found the stuff in Toronto.
Some of the products are ok - nut butters, various nut/seed beverages, but most of what was displayed on the show is heavily processed food. Worse for you than eating a local naturally raised steak.
I found Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food" to be a great resource for seeing a side of the food industry and culture that I was a part of, but not completely aware of. Pollan himself does not push a completely veggie diet, he just says eat less meat and more greens.
I'm glad to see such events in this city, and movies like Food Inc. being screened at Bloor Cinema, because it shows that people are thinking about the choices they make and the impacts that those choices ultimately make on themselves and to others, and the planet. I'm all for events that raise awareness, offering alternative perspectives, and allowing people to arrive at their own conclusions on how they want to live their lives.
I couldn't agree with you more about the breath-taking lack of creativity at the show.
But then, I remember, " Toronto is not exactly known for its originality or creativity. "
It's basically one big bank,
one real estate company,
10 million lawyers and accountants
and
a deeply unionized vampire-like government which nervously hovers over the city, anxious to collect its share of the spoils at every possible opportunity. ( Talk about a run on sentence! Can someone call Editorial now! )
In this kind of environment, it's no wonder the Vegetarian Food Show was creatively bankrupt.
Perhaps because creativity and originality are murky, and unscientific by nature, many Torontonians shun them like troublesome in-laws, greedy co-workers or cheating spouses.
Take, for example, a look at the new Corus Entertainment Building in the harbor. It's a level of mediocrity which goes beyond language. I hope no one got paid for designing this monstrosity.
If a major building as bad as this can actually be fully approved and then manufactured, why should the Vegetarian Food Fare be any different.
Choose your country and region and see what's available in store.
But I agree there weren't as many booths focusing on fruits and veggies as I would have hoped. There was the coconut guy at the one fruit booth and there was the Mama Earth organic fruit and veg delivery booth and then the booth selling a juicer marketed heavily for fruit and veg smoothies and such. Would have been nice to have some vendors talking about fruit and veg nutrition and different edible plants. I'm sure there are tons that I don't know about. Also, I'd like to see more booths talking about nuts, seeds and legumes. They're delicious, nutritious and versatile.
More than anything this event is a vendor showcase with a few repetitive lectures for anyone who has wanted to know a bit about nutrition. Don't expect anything different next year :)
There were several vendors selling beverages that were most certainly not owned by Pepsi.
I totally agree with those who say that "fake meat" is too heavily relied on. I guess that if you're going to ease people into vegetarianism it's a good place to start.
I always enjoy this event.