Sweet treats at the Gale Centre
Thousands come out to celebrate — and devour — the humble butter tart
The four-pad at the Gale Centre is usually home to fans of Canada’s national game.
On Sunday, however, the arena attracted an estimated 7,000 fans of Canada’s quintessential dessert.
“I love butter tarts,” said Lynne Kolos, who travelled from Burlington to attend the Great Canadian Butter Tart Fest.
“They just a sweet, gooey decadent treat. Some people say Nanaimo bars are the country’s official dessert, but I say it’s hands down the buttertart.”
Joanna Sicoli, one half of The Baking Twins, said festivals celebrating the humble tart are becoming an Ontario tradition. There are similar events held across the province each year.
“They are so unique and everyone has their own unique spin on it,” said Sicoli, who expected to sell out of her 1,000 packages of mini-tarts and 600 boxes of jumbo tarts.
Joanna and her twin sister Jennifer, both from Jordan, create their tasty treats using a “secret family recipe.”
The twins are regulars on the All Canadian Events butter tart festival circuit and both had been suggesting for the past year or so that organizers should add a Niagara Falls show.
“So, I thought we’d dip our toes in Niagara and, so far, I’m very pleased,” said Christine Ivany, of All Canadian Events. “It has been amazing. Everyone is enjoying themselves.”
Carla Mawyin, of Woodbridge, brought 2,000 butter tarts to her Carla’s Cookie Box table.
“My most popular is the pecan, but my outside-the-box ones are also popular. I try to get really creative with my flavours and mix them up all the time.
“I use all local ingredients in every one of my tarts,” she added. “I support local farmers.”
The festival featured 25 bakers and some 100,000 butter tarts as well as a number of vendors.
Visitors were also invited to vote to crown the Best Butter Tart maker.