Winterfest celebrating all that’s local
Winterfest in the square is making a comeback.
The local food, drink and entertainment event, once a tag-a-long to the Niagara Ice Wine Festival, has returned to the St. Catharines Market Square as a solo act.
On Friday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., local restaurants, wineries and breweries will offer a selection of their fares for a downtown audience, many who will be in town for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, said Karen Doyle, tourism marketing officer for St. Catharines.
The idea is to celebrate local flavours, she said.
“They’re each focusing on their own distinct flavour which is nice so there will be a variety,” she said.
Indeed, the owners of Zapata Mexican Restaurant on Academy Street will educate the masses through food. Theirs is fresh with ingredients as genuine to Mexico as possible, said Elizabeth Valencia, who opened the restaurant a year ago with chef and husband Raul Ojeda.
In fact, it’s taken her years to source specific ingredients such as the chili ancho that gives their chicken tacos its full, smoky flavour without the heat, and the fresh green tomatillos in their pork tacos.
“I’m proud to say I’ve found most of the ingredients I need,” she said.
Fact is, those unfamiliar with Mexican cuisine might be more familiar with the common burrito and its deep-fried cousin, the chimichanga. Or, this scenario: “You grab already-made tacos, usually frozen chicken mixed with seasonings and lots of salt.”
She hopes to enlighten people who visit Winterfest in the square about real Mexican food. Indeed, nothing canned or frozen crosses the boundaries of their kitchen, into any of its 19 different tacos. They will have three — chicken, veggie and pork — available at the event.
“We want to give people a little taste of what we do at the restaurant.”
From The Good Earth Food and Wine Co. there will be two signature wine blends at Winterfest, said Nicolette Novak, Good Earth founder.
The white is called Betty’s Blend, named after her mother.
“It’s a very approachable, very tasty and popular white. It’s very easy to like, just like my mom,” she said.
The red is the Big Fork Red, named after the sculpture in front of the winery, crafted by local artist Floyd Elzinga. A lighter red, it’s food-friendly, she said.
In all, the event is a good way to interject life into February. Food is available for cash only. Grand Oak Culinary Market Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill Wellington Court Restaurant Zapata Mexican Restaurant Tickets can be purchased by cash or debit; $7 a ticket or 3 for $20. Bench Brewing Co. 13th Street Winery Calamus Estate Winery Cave Spring Cellars Creekside Estate Winery GreenLane Estate Winery Malivoire Wine Niagara College Teaching Winery Niagara College Teaching Brewery Rockway Vineyards Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery Good Earth Food and Wine Vieni Estates Wine and Spirits Vineland Estates Winery
“It’s nice to have something to look forward to in this month,” she said.
Entertainment at Winterfest in the Square will be local band Jonesy, performing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The event is put together in partnership with the City of St. Catharines, Twenty Valley Tourism Association and Visit Niagara Canada, said Doyle.
She hopes it becomes an annual event. For more information visit www.tourismstcatharines.ca.