JAM-PACKED with flavours
Main Street was busy as ever for the annual Festival of Flavours September 14, in Vankleek Hill. Relive that tasty day
VANKLEEK HILL | Main Street was jampacked with flavours and foodies from all across the region for the annual Festival of Flavours September 14, in Vankleek Hill. Meat on a stick, exotic cuisine and comfort food at its best, thousands got a party in their tummy and came back for more.
“I just tasted the best salsa ever,” said Glengarry visitor Andrew Morley. “It’s such a cool atmosphere with everybody on the street tasting food left and right. We should do that more often! It’s my first time at the Festival and it’s better than some food fests in Montréal and Ottawa where outrageous prices are a real appetite suppressor.”
The Festival has become so popular that the traditional 320-foot table now has a small sister on Main Street. Producers had baskets full of fresh vegetables, and cooks from Ontario and Québec worked the grills like chefs and got an amazing reception from the crowd.
One booth that was a hit with the flavour seekers was Texas Heat Salsa. With his cowboy hat and pink goatee, Scott, the salsa hustler, welcomed guests with a basket of corn chips and some salsa with the good ol’ South taste. “I’m from Dallas, Texas, and relocated here for a job at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Salsa was a pastime at the beginning, but people loved it so much that it’s now taking a life of its own.”
With taste buds by now Texas red, the visitors had almost too many choices, from traditional dumplings to crocodile hamburgers. Stephanie’s brought out the big grill for some tasty ribs while the Montréal smoked meat booth was emanating a delicatessen smell to die for.
“The great thing is that you can taste dishes for the first time ever and finish your meal with something more traditional,” said Ottawa foodie Gregg Verbeek. “The little cheese and beef brochettes from La Cabane à Riz were really yum- my, especially with the sugary sauce on the side. But, while my wife was looking at quilts and soap, I chugged down a beer and burger!”
Organic food, fresh bread, ballpark pretzels, crafts and a little acoustic music, the Festival hit a home run with its 2014 edition.
“Food and flavours in September and beer for Ocktoberfest, Vankleek Hill is the place to be,” said John Dugas, with a smile. “I love it that they can turn everything into a poutine and put the weirdest animal on a stick. Good food and friends, that’s the way to go.”