Savour a 6-month essential cross-section of Southwestern Ontario’s Local Farms and Producers through a live, monthly intimate and interactive food sampling journey, January to June. One Tasting Session per month. Kibitz with our Chef, beverage expert while sampling mouth-watering dishes and delicious drinks in the comfort of the classy Carousel Room. The Tasting Series will take you through the amazing portfolio of new and classic meals and drinks that highlight how lucky we are to live in the bread-basket of Ontario farm country.

Enjoy all 6 intimate in-person Tasting Events in the beautiful Carousel Room, at the Western Fair District. Nibble and chat with our Chef and our beverage experts while you dine. A different food journey each evening. Every month from January to June 2022.

You can buy any individual event separately

View photos from our first event!

Upcoming In-Person Tastings

MEET CHEF JAMES SMITH

Director of Agri-Food & The Grove

“My passion to teach people about an ingredient, where it comes from and how it's grown creates a real connection to food."

James is an Aussie who came to Canada 30 years ago, with over 30 years of culinary, academic and leadership experience.

James has held positions as both a Chair, and Associate Dean of Culinary, Hospitality and Tourism schools. James’ primary passion has always been about food, healthy, and clean eating, hospitality, and culinary arts, having trained as a chef, and worked at several Toronto landmark restaurants including - Scaramouche, Truffles at the Four Seasons, and Boba restaurants. James also brings a wealth of experience in Food Media having worked on Food Network productions such as Christine Cushing Live, Martin Yan’s Chinatowns, Cook Like a Chef Series, as well as working with Canadian Living Magazine as a writer, and recipe creator.

James’ personal education journey includes obtaining a Culinary Management Diploma as well as his Red Seal Chef Certification before he completed his MBA in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of Guelph.

James has many personal passions which include soccer, running, playing guitar, and entertaining, as well as a love for doing small home renovations, and home improvement projects.