Taste of Toronto Sets Interactive Programming Schedule, 7/2-5

Arriving at Fort York two weeks from today, Taste of Toronto announces the final programming details for the four-day celebration of the city's thriving food scene. The weekend's extensive schedule includes hands-on cooking lessons with chefs at Metro Master Class, show-stopping demonstrations in the Cadillac Taste Theatre, intimate conversation at the Toronto Life Chef's Table, wine sampling with Charlie's Burgers in the Tasting Room, and curated live performances at the Taste x WayHome Stage.

In its second year, the only North American outpost of the international Taste Festivals is once again offering visitors unique experiences to interact with the country's top culinary talent, including Iron Chef and Michelin-starred Masaharu Morimoto; California cuisine innovator Jonathan Waxman of Montecito; Egg Farmers of Canada Chef Ambassador, and celebrity chef and owner of Ruby Watchco, Lynn Crawford; and MasterChef Canada stars Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung and Eric Chong.

"We are only two weeks away to welcoming thousands of the city's food lovers at Fort York for Taste of Toronto, and we couldn't be more excited to reveal this year's unique and diverse programming," said Meghan O'Hanlon, Event Director, Taste of Toronto. "From the signature dishes served at each restaurant booth, to the interactive experiences at Metro Master Class, Cadillac Taste Theatre, Tasting Room and Toronto Life Chef's Table, all set to the sounds from the WayHome stage - it's sure to be a weekend to remember."

General tickets start from $19, granting access to one of six lunch or dinner sessions from Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5. Each session offers the opportunity for festival-goers to sample dishes from over 16 restaurants and participate in fresh and exciting programming.

Metro Master Class
The Metro Master Class offers visitors the unique opportunity to learn pro skills and pick up personal tips from their favourite chefs in hands-on cooking sessions. Each Taste of Toronto session includes three to four unique, 30-minute cooking classes.

On opening night, BBQ expert David Neinstein from Barque shares his sought-after methods for smoking beef tenderloin, while Jonathan Waxman leads participants in assembling Montecito's famous kale salad. At Friday's lunch session, Canadian chef and entrepreneur Mark McEwan teaches his techniques for preparing pan-roasted steelhead trout, and Chatelaine food director Claire Tansey and recipe developer Louisa Clements demonstrate how to cook the perfect peach chutney. Saturday afternoon, Ted Corrado of The Drake Hotel properties makes the ultimate comforting ricotta gnocchi, sure to please even the little ones in the audience, and as the sun sets, Bill Osborne of America brings the heat with the restaurant's signature sausage and shrimp jambalaya. To close out the weekend, Top Chef Canada Season 2 winner and Richmond Station executive chef Carl Heinrich wows spectators with his mesmerizing knife skills. Metro Master Class is free, but space is limited, so be sure to sign up onsite. For the full schedule, visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/feature/metro-masterclass/.

The Tasting Room
Join top winemakers and Franco Stalteri of Charlie's Burgers as they lead tastings of New World Varietals and Wines of Garnacha, share tips on food and beverage pairings, cellaring how-to and much more. Following last year's success, Richmond Station is back with fan favourites like fresh oysters and Northern Divine caviar to pair perfectly with the summer's best wines. Sessions in The Tasting Room are 5 crowns (festival currency, 1 crown = 1 dollar) each and spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis. For the full schedule, visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/feature/wine-tasting-theatre/.

Cadillac Taste Theatre
See some of the world's best chefs in the Cadillac Taste Theatre as they share secrets to creating their most well-known dishes. To kick things off on opening night, culinary master Masaharu Morimoto capture the audience as he breaks down a full tuna, live on stage. On Friday afternoon, sustainable seafood advocate Rick Moonen teaches spectators how to compose grilled True North salmon with refreshing cucumber gazpacho and marinated heirloom tomatoes. Throughout the weekend, the city's most revered chefs, like Alvin Leung of R&D and Bo Innovation, Michael Bonacini of Oliver & Bonacini, Cory Vitiello of The Harbord Room and THR & Co., Elia Herrera of Los Colibris and El Caballito, Rob Bragagnolo of Marben and Adrian Niman of Rasa, among many others, also take the stage to reveal tricks that are sure to inspire. The Cadillac Taste Theatre is free, but seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. For the full schedule, visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/feature/cadillac-taste-theatre/.

Taste x WayHome Stage
Taste of Toronto is partnering with the city's hottest music festival of the summer, WayHome Music and Arts, to provide the perfect soundtrack for the weekend. The all-Canadian line-up includes indie darling Lowell, multi-talented singer-songwriter Melissa Payne, Juno-award winner Tomi Swick and Toronto art-pop adventurers For Esmé, all slated to appear at this year's inaugural WayHome Music and Arts Festival happening just outside of Barrie July 24-26, 2015. For the full Taste x WayHome stage schedule, visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/feature/live-stage/.

Taste of History
History buffs have the opportunity to peek into the past and explore the 1815 Officers' Mess Establishment on the Fort York grounds. The Mess dining room exhibit showcases the table settings, furnishings, dining customs and mess lifestyle of British Officers stationed at Fort York during the year 1815. The oldest kitchen existing in Toronto, original from 1815, is located in the basement, along with a wine cellar and money vaults, while the kitchen on the main floor dates back to 1826. Expect to see a complete reenactment of kitchens from that time period, with cooks in historic costumes making original recipes that reflect Officers' food of the early 19th century. Guests can enjoy free samples made from the recipes in cookbooks of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. For more on Taste of History, visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/feature/taste-of-history/.

Vendor Marketplace
Visitors can sip, sample and shop from over 60 recognizable producers and premium brands, alongside up-and-coming names, of olive oils, jams, cheeses, beer, wine, kitchen tools and more, in the vendor marketplace at Taste of Toronto. This year's vendors include local favourites like Blackbird Baking Co., Lee's Ghee, Olive Oil Emporium, Mad Mexican and Ninutik Maple. Six vendors from the recently opened market space OK Friday Barn Fair, a collaboration between Burl's Creek Event Grounds and the Karma Project, are also rotating throughout the weekend, adding yet another vibrant and local element to the festival. For updates on the full list of exhibitors, visit tasteoftoronto.com/participating-exhibitors/.

Taste of Toronto's extensive programming is all in addition to the heart of the festival experience - the opportunity for visitors to sample the city's most loved restaurants at personally designed booths offering three signature dishes. The second-annual festival is set to once again showcase the best of Toronto's food scene this year, with over 30 chefs participating in 16 pop-up restaurant venues onsite. For more information or to purchase tickets visit http://tasteoftoronto.com/ticket-packs-and-prices/.

Taste of Toronto is proud to be working with All-Clad, American Express Canada, Cadillac, Delta Air Lines, Food Network, Metro, Metroland Media, Nespresso, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Pilsner Urquell, S.Pellegrino, Second Harvest, Shangri-La Toronto, Toronto Life, Toronto Star and True North Salmon.

Taste of Toronto 2015 line-up:

Adrian Niman, Rasa

Alvin Leung and Eric Chong, R&D (Thursday and Friday only)

Amanda Ray, Biff's Bistro

Anthony Walsh and Michael Bonacini, Oliver & Bonacini

Bill Osborne, America

Carl Heinrich, Richmond Station

Cory Vitiello and Robbie Hojilla, The Harbord Room and THR & Co.

Damon Campbell, Bosk

David Neinstein, Barque

Elia Herrera, Los Colibris and El Caballito

Franco Stalteri, Charlie's Burgers

Jonathan Waxman and Matt Robertson, Montecito

Ippei Iwata, Aki Urata and Koji Tashiro, Guu Toronto, Kintori Yakitori and Kinton Ramen (Saturday only)

Masaharu Morimoto, Morimoto Toronto

Michael van den Winkel, Little Sister

Miheer Shete, Bannock

Rob Bragagnolo, Marben (Sunday only)

Stuart Cameron, Byblos, Patria and Weslodge

Ted Corrado and Matt DeMille, The Drake Hotel, The Drake Devonshire and Drake One Fifty

Victor Barry, Splendido

Lynn Crawford, Egg Farmers of Canada Chef Ambassador, chef-owner of Ruby Watchco and and "The Hearth" at the Pearson International Airport Toronto

Mark McEwan, McEwan Group

Massimo Capra, Galbani Cheese

Rick Moonen, True North Salmon

Website: tasteoftoronto.com, tastefestivals.com
Facebook: TasteofToronto
Twitter: @TasteofToronto
Instagram: @TasteofToronto
Hashtag: #TasteofToronto

About Taste Festivals:
Taste Festivals, an IMG event, is considered the world's greatest restaurant festival. The festival concept began 12 years ago in London, England, and has rapidly grown into an international event with festivals in over 20 cities around the world including Dubai, Amsterdam, Milan, Moscow, Melbourne, Dublin, Paris, Sydney, and Johannesburg, to name a few. Everywhere it goes, Taste represents a gourmand's dream come true: delicious food created by the city's greatest restaurants, world famous chefs, superb drink and outstanding entertainment, set in stunning outdoor surroundings.

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