Is there a better combo than fresh food and the outdoors? I haven’t found it, and you probably won’t either, especially now that the summer is here and both are at their best. See what I mean at one, two or all of the food events this July in Kingston. Whether you’re up for a barbecue overlooking the city, an international food fest in a park, or a food tour through downtown, you’ll find your fill here and then some.
Artfest Kingston International Foodfest
June 28 – July 1, City Park
The city’s biggest arts and crafts festival is back, and this year there’ll be more food artists on hand than any previous Artfest. The guys behind Sprucewood Cookies and Marcos & Carlos Quesadilla Bar will be there with some of the best shortbread in the country (cheddar and bacon cookies anyone?) and authentic Mexican food prepared right in front of you. Mobile food fans: check out 2 Nuts in a Food Truck for some delicious hand-crafted, seasonal eats. Get your dairy fix from The Wilton Cheese Factory and ice cream from Dairy Bell. Wash it all down with a cold lemonade from The Wandering Bean. Full food lineup: artfestontario.com.
Taste of Kingston
July 5, 11 am – 3 pm, Confederation Park
Head downtown to the waterfront on the first Saturday of the month to help a good cause and avoid the most difficult part about eating out: deciding where to go. For sixteen years now, Taste of Kingston has invited local restaurants to whip up $1-$5 creations for visitors, donating all proceeds to the Boys and Girls Club or the Canadian Diabetes Association (this year’s recipient). The 2014 version will feature fresh food arrangements from Blossoms, grilled grub from King Street Sizzle and the Grizzly Grill, and mouth-watering samples from twenty other vendors. tasteofkingston.com
Dinner and the Sunset Ceremonies
Every Wednesday and Saturday evening, Fort Henry
What’s better than an 1860s interpretive show with a drill squad, drum squad and artillery detachment inside Fort Henry? One with a barbecue overlooking Kingston right before. The fort will host three different food options for visitors again this year, each with a ticket to the Sunset Ceremonies included. For $70, head to the Officers’ Mess for a three-course meal and an escort to the best seats in the house. Twenty-five dollars will get you a ticket, a seat on the Battery Bistro’s patio, a two-course barbecued meal and one fantastic view of downtown Kingston. For $10, a grilled entrée, summer salad and a non-alcoholic drink. foodandheritage.com
Local Food Chef Cooking Demos
Saturdays, 11 am, Kingston Public Market
If you’re like me, you could use a few tips on choosing the best vegetables and finding the right cut of meat for a barbecue. Good news: we can sharpen up those foodie senses at cooking demos in the market all summer. Every Saturday, a different Kingston chef will use products from the market to show what’s in season, how to select it and how to use it (plus: $2 samples!). July features four of Kingston’s best: Derek MacGregor from Le Chien Noir Bistro, Stev George from Olivea, Andy Kirby from Atomica and Clark Day from Aqua Terra. kingstonpublicmarket.ca
Kingston by Fork Food Tours
4 tours per week, beginning July 1, Downtown Kingston
This will be the fourth summer for these walking tours of downtown Kingston’s food hotspots, and it sounds like this year’s stops will be the tastiest yet. The Homegrown Eats tour starts at the market, where a guide takes you on a 1-hour informational walk that includes stops at local eateries and ends with a three-course meal at Aqua Terra (adults: $40; students/seniors: $30). The Edible Escapade tour takes you to seven food establishments that last year included Curry Original, Cooke’s Fine Foods and Pasta Genoa; you’ll meet owners and staff, and learn about their commitment to local products. kingstonbyfork.com
