heighten perception: The 2007 Gourmet Food & Wine Expo

Eat, drink and be merry

THIS past weekend, the Metro Convention Centre was host to the Annual Gourmet Food & Wine Expo. Exhibitors ranged from food suppliers to wineries, all displaying their best products and serving generous samples for all to experience. This year’s themed wine was Chilean—Chile boasts the healthiest grape-growing climates in the world, with little use for pesticides or other treatments—so it’s no wonder that it is becoming a growing sensation among wine enthusiasts around the globe.

For those of you who have never been to the Expo, in addition to your admission ticket, you can purchase sampling tickets, which are exchanged at any exhibit for a sample of what they have to offer. Admission includes a complimentary wine glass, which is used for sampling throughout the night, and let me tell you, these were the best kind of samples one could receive—my glass was happily filled up to 2 oz. or more each time for a mere one or two sample tickets (each ticket costs $1 and must be purchased in sheets of 10 minimum). For the expo-goers who are not as eager to sample the fine wine, spirits, and beers (crazy, I know), there was more than enough variety of food to tantalize your taste buds, satisfy your hunger—or fulfill temptation. I enjoyed samples from AquaStar’s breaded shrimp to plates of assorted cheeses, as well as free (yes, free!) samples of Nestea Green Tea and Marzetti’s Old Fashioned Caramel Apple Dip. If the alcohol and food was still not enough to keep you occupied, there were many other things for you to see at the expo. Contraptions made to keep your wine chilled while remaining stylish, wine fridges, and even wine glass holders which hang around your neck—allowing you to walk hands swinging—were all being showcased and sold on site. Basically, any and everything gourmet food and wine related could be found at the expo, so to ensure that there was lots to taste, see, and do. There were also many sessions being held on how to taste wine and pair it with appropriate foods. A special program that the expo hosts is called Tutored Tastings, which are lead by wine experts and celebs, such as Kevin Brauch, from The Tasty Traveller and Iron Chef America (both of which can be seen on The Food Network)—however these sessions are separate from your admission (but will include a free admission to the expo), and can be somewhat costly, but probably worth it if you are a dire wine fan or budding enthusiast.

Overall, a must-attend event in my books, I'll be back next year.