August personifies the lazy days of summer.
Winnipeg city slows down a step. Traffic eases and it feels as though we've all collectively exhaled after basking in weeks of highly anticipated hot summer days. It's also a time to sample new food, try new restaurants and hit one of the city's many food events held throughout the month.
Here's a quick guide of some of Winnipeg's top food events and festivals in August.
Taste the World by Ciao Magazine: August 1-31
Never been to Brazil, Argentina, France, Greece, Italy or Indonesia? Now's your chance to at least taste the cuisine from those popular travel destinations. Taste the World celebrates Winnipeg's diversity during a month-long food event featuring food from around the globe. This year, 19 city and area restaurants are serving special $12 lunches every day until August 31.
Participating restaurants include:
- Amici/ Bombolini (Italy)
- Bailey's (Great Britain)
- Brogue (Great Britain)
- Café Dario (Columbia) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- Carnaval (Brazil)
- Corrientes (Argentina) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- The Current (Fusion)
- Fusion Grill (Manitoba) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- Gaffer's (Canada)
- Hermanos (Argentina)
- In Ferno's Bistro (France) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- In Ferno's on Academy (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- Jolly Friar (Greece)
- Mise (Canada) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- Nicolina's (Italy)
- Resto Gare (France) (Link to Peg City Grub post here.)
- Rudy's Eat & Drink (Canada) (Link to Peg City Grub post here and here.)
- Steve's Bistro (Greece)
- Tapastry (Italy)
And here's a link to Taste the World, the participating restaurants and their menus.
Folklorama: August 4 to 17
Don't miss Winnipeg's annual celebration of cultural diversity. This two-week long festival is a trip around the world all within the city limits. The party is separated into two, one-week halves. The first week, 23 pavilions pop up around the city. The second week, the other 23 pavilions take their turn. The festival celebrates Winnipeg's diverse citizenry in evening parties punctuated by dance and music performances. Food and drink are also an essential part of the celebration.
For a guide and map to all the pavilions click here.
Winnipeg BBQ Competition and Blues Festival: August 16-18
As the name suggests, this annual party at the Red River Exhibition grounds just west of Winnipeg is all about eating meat and getting down. Twenty seven cooking teams will face off for a share in $10,000 in prize money. The top team wins $2,500. Teams, some of which are coming from across Canada, Manitoba and the States, will compete in four meat categories (pork butt or St. Louis ribs, chicken and beef brisket). Points from all categories will be added up and the top team is crowned Grand Champion. The contest is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue society. (To be honest, I'm not an aficionado on BBQ culture but the KCBS sounds impressive.) The weekend is a celebration of eating, drinking and dancing. For more information visit the Winnipeg BBQ Competition and Blues Festival here.
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's Farmers' Market: Thursdays until September 5
This weekly market is one of the city's newest additions to the farm-to-table scene. Every Thursday producers and artisans flock to Manitoba Hydro Place Plaza (at the corner of Edmonton Street and Graham Avenue) to sell their wares to the masses of downtown workers and visitors. The market, which launched in early July, has been a popular destination for fresh produce and one-of-a-kind gifts. Here's a link for more information.
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