The Pan American Food Festival Returns to Toronto
August 8-10 2014
TORONTO, ON (April 24, 2014) – The second annual Pan American Food Festival – the only festival in the world that celebrates the best food and culture of the Western Hemisphere – returns to Toronto from August 8 to 10, 2014. This year’s festival will be held at Daniels Spectrum, a vibrant new community hub in the heart of downtown Toronto, and will feature an impressive roster of extraordinary chefs, led by renowned chef and culinary genius Norman Van Aken.
The Pan American Food Festival paves the way for the upcoming Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015 with a showcase of flavour and culture from 41 countries across North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. As in its first year, the Festival will be entirely free to the public, presenting food demonstrations by international chefs, music and dance ensembles, kids’ activities, a Pan American vendors market, and a tourism showcase called Discovering Pan American Countries. Events will be held inside Daniels Spectrum and the neighbouring streets, Regent Park Boulevard and St. David’s Walk, creating a large outdoor area for visitors to discover the delicious and diverse cuisine of the region while enjoying its most-loved musical styles. This year’s Feature Country is Peru.
Considered by The New York Times as South Florida’s most gifted chef, Norman Van Aken is the founding father of New World Cuisine, and is known internationally for introducing the concept of “fusion” to the culinary world. Author of six cookbooks and winner of numerous awards, Mr. Van Aken will present two free food demonstrations at the Festival, along with chefs from across the Pan American spectrum. The Festival’s Culinary Curator, is Colombian-born, Canadian raised freelance food/travel journalist, Mary Luz Mejia.
“We are thrilled to bring the Pan American Food Festival back to Toronto for another year of flavor and fun – Pan American style!” says Daniel Garcia-Herreros, Festival Director. “This year’s Festival will showcase even more of the innovative and delicious foods and culture from these 41 countries, and we are thrilled to be working with Daniels Spectrum to bring the events to life for the community.”
The 2014 Pan American Food Festival highlights include:
● A roster of extraordinary chefs led by renowned chef and culinary genius Norman Van Aken
● Jamaican, Canadian, Colombian, Brazilian, Mexican, Venezuelan, American and Peruvian food demonstrations with local and international chefs.
● Musical performances and dance classes
● “Taste the Americas” an exhibition of photographs selected from submissions received from the general public
● A Pan American vendors market
● Discovering Pan American Countries tourism showcase
● Family activities including kid-friendly food demonstrations
● And much more!
All events are free to the public.
For more information, visit www.panamfoodfest.com and join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PanamericanFoodFestival
Sponsors: Scotiabank.
Venue Partner: Artscape