Hamilton throws a week-long dinner party and everyone’s invited...

New, city-wide food festival NOSH celebrates Hamilton’s booming food scene

If you have yet to hear about Hamilton’s burgeoning foodie credentials, a new week-long food festival is launching this month, offering a crash course on Hamilton’s many top-rated restaurants and culinary talents.

NOSH (North Hamilton - including lower city, Outlying communities - former municipal entities, South Hamilton - including Binbrook, Glanbrook, and Mount Hope) is the first ever celebration of Hamilton’s booming culinary scene. From celebrity chefs and food truck competitions to Syrian refugee-run baking classes the city will come alive with hungry diners and foodies.

Taking place during National Small Business Week from October 17 to 23, 2016, NOSH is formally supported by Hamilton City Council and FirstOntario Credit Union.

"Hamilton's emergence on a national scale is in part attributable to the rising food scene we have in the city," said Ward 4 Councillor Merulla, NOSH Honorary Chair. "From the restaurateurs, to the chefs, to the diners who are flocking to the various restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries, these great efforts are attracting more positive attention for Hamilton on a national scale, and I believed it was certainly time for the entire city to celebrate and support their efforts."

NOSH kicks off on October 14 with NOSH Week guest judge Chef Patrick Wiese of Twisted Kitchen launching a series of charity dinners with a special fundraiser for Matthew’s Friends Canada. Former personal chef to multiple international stars, including Oprah Winfrey and Top Chef Canada contestant, Wiese will also crown the Best In Show Dish at NOSH, to be announced on October 23.

"I love the culinary scene in Hamilton,” said Patrick. “It's the fastest growing food scene in Canada with many talented chef's and food explorers alike who flock to take part of this culinary explosion. I'm proud to be a part of this ever growing industry and be able to share my culinary world with Hamilton! Come take a good journey with me and help bring much awareness of the great city I call home!"

Restaurants and bakeries in Hamilton will be offering NOSH Week specials and prix fixe menus. The Westdale and Ottawa Street Neighbourhoods will also have special NOSH Week passports for diners to collect stamps and enter prize draws.

Karam Kitchen, a local catering company established this year by Syrian women new to Hamilton, is hosting workshops in the Hamilton Farmers' Market community kitchen where adults and kids can learn to bake zatar pita bread.

There will also be a chef cook-off at Liuna Station and a smorgasbord of food tours, some of which will be led by Bike Appetit; a food and beer pairing tour with local bloggers from Hamilton Small Fries and Hoppily Ever After; and a tour of Balzac's Coffee new roasting facility.

The Hamilton Public Library has a few food-themed events lined up, including screenings of "Just Eat Me," a documentary about food waste, at the Central and Ancaster branches. There's also a meeting of the Hamilton Public Library cookbook club and a cooking workshop for teens and a workshop to learn how to make nutritious Buddha bowls (a hearty salad with greens, vegetables, beans, nuts or seeds and a healthy grain such as rice) at the Terryberry branch.

NOSH is sponsored by Hamilton Economic Development, tourismHamilton.com, feedthesocial, Hamilton Small Fries, trip central.ca, Kallsen + Stennett Communications and the Government of Ontario.

For details and links to all the events, specials and registration info for workshops, visit hamilton.ca/nosh

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