Prince Edward County’s 14th annual food & drink festival, TASTE community grown, returns September 26 [advertorial]

Sip and nibble your way through this annual showcase of the best that Prince Edward County offers in food, farm products, restaurants, wineries, and craft breweries. TASTE community grown, Prince Edward County’s premier culinary event, is happening Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Crystal Palace in Picton.

Farmers will have local fruits & vegetables for sale along with jams, preserves, hot sauces and other products made with locally grown ingredients. You’ll also be able to purchase bottles of VQA wines directly from wineries.

The festival features three seminars:
1. The Cellar Sisters host Unusual Suspects: Unique Wine & Food Pairings
2. Gavin North of Honey Pie Hives and Herbals speaks about honey
3. Michael Fohr of Amphora Trading Company gives a tutorial on the importance of serving wine in the right glass to maximize the aroma and flavours

There will be live entertainment throughout the day courtesy of Vintage Soul, County locals playing classic rock, country and soul.

County Chopped, based on the popular TV program, returns this year at 4pm. Defending Champion Elliot Reynolds of The Hubb Eatery & Lounge at Angeline’s Inn returns to take on two challengers. MPP Todd Smith will emcee, while judges Cynthia Peters (From the Farm Cooking School), Rebecca Mackenzie (Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance), John Walker (former Dean of the Centre of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at George Brown College), and Kari Macknight Dearborn (Slow Food PEC, Ontario Wine Society PEC) taste the chef’s creations and determine who’ll take home the trophy this year.

New this year! Organizers are offering a free shuttle bus service with stops in Wellington and Bloomfield. If you’re staying at a local B&B, take advantage of the shuttle; no need for a designated driver! If you’re staying in Picton, the Crystal Palace is walking distance or a short cab ride away.

Don’t want to stay overnight? Savvy Company is offering a one-day bus tour to Prince Edward County from Ottawa that will take you to TASTE plus stops at 2 family-run wineries: Traynor Vineyards (the newest in The County) & Keint-He Winery & Vineyards, where a light dinner will be served amongst the vines. Details here.

“TASTE community grown is so much fun, year after year,” – Kathleen Greenaway, Chair of the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association. “The food & drink coming out of this area is really stellar. Visitors to TASTE get a chance to sample some great food, wine & beer and take things home to enjoy later.”

Visit tastecommunitygrown.com for more details.