We can’t believe it’s taken us this long. Activity planning start-up Joylister is teaming up with Beer Academy to bring Toronto the first-ever Poutine Festival, a celebration that will unite the great people of Toronto with the french fry, gravy, and cheese curd in perfect, all-you-can-eat harmony.

Poutine Fest will open its doors to 400 hungry guests and poutine cooks, filling bowls across the venue with samples. Tickets are $35 and come with three cups of craft beers chosen specifically to compliment the salty taste of french fry. Though the city has seen poutine eating contests before, this new festival will be the first dedicated to the quintessential Canadian dish in the city.

Five vendors will be presenting their best poutines in a competetion to be crowned the Poutine King. Candidates include Poutinie’s House of Poutine (presenting their traditional, oh-so-simple-yet-so-complex recipe), Coquine Restaurant (topped with duck confit and smoked provolone), Lou Dawgs (pulled pork), Great Burger Kitchen (chicken, curry, cream) and The Feisty Jack Mobile Food Co (TBA). The mouth-watering title comes with a heavy helping of Canadian pride.

Ride the gravy train down to the Beer Academy at 75 Victoria St on August 22, from 5-10pm: this isn’t a night to skip. Taste-makers, get more details and your tickets here. 

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