The London Food and Wine Show is just around the corner and this year is looking like one that you really don’t want to miss. For those of you who have not had the privilege of enjoying this annual event, let’s dive in to everything that you need to know about it.
The London Food and Wine Show is the ultimate date night. It happens once a year in the Western Fair District, which is located in Old East Village. Before you go (or at the door), you can buy your admission tickets and sample tokens. Inside the venue there are dozens and dozens of wine, beer, and spirit companies offering up samples of their delicious beverages in exchange for your sample tokens. Of course you can’t have delicious drinks without feeling the growl of your stomach telling you to savour some snacks too, so there are also incredible food vendors that are more than happy to exchange their mouthwatering samples for your tokens. You and your date can spend the night (or afternoon) checking out all of the vendors and sampling a variety of different delights.
Of course the food and the drinks are not the only thing you’re getting at this event. Here is everything you’ll need to know about the 2019 London Food and Wine Show!
WHEN
Mark the dates in your calendar because you’re not going to want to miss this event! If you’re trying to figure out what day you want to go, I would suggest looking at the entertainment section to see if there is entertainment on a specific day that you want to catch.
- Thursday, January 17th from 5:00PM to 10:30PM
- Friday, January 18th from 4:00PM to 10:30PM
- Saturday (afternoon), January 19th from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
- Saturday (evening), January 19th from 6:00PM to 11:00PM
WHERE
The London Food and Wine Show takes place at The Western Fair Agriplex, which is located at 845 Florence St. They have free parking at the event, but if you’re going to be drinking and thoroughly enjoying the show, then you might want to consider alternative transportation or maybe taking a look at the different designated drivers services that London has to offer.
For those wanting to go a little green and are taking public transportation, the 2 Dundas, 7 Wavell, 20 Cherryhill, and the 22 Trafalgar buses will all take you to the Western Fair District. But if taking the bus isn’t your cup of tea, there will be lots of taxis around after the show to transport you home safe and sound.
TICKETS
You can purchase your advanced tickets online. Tickets are available to buy full price at the door if you want, but just a fair warning that they could sell out or hit capacity, so it’s best to play it safe and purchase the advanced tickets. If you’re going on a date, or even if you’re going with an even numbered group, then the couples package is the best bang for your buck. You get 2 admission tickets and 30 sample tokens with the couples package.
Here is the breakdown of ticket pricing:
Thursday
- Advanced tickets: $12 each, while quantities last
- Couples package: $49.99, while quantities last
- Admission price at the door: $16 each, while quantities last.
Friday
- Advanced tickets: $18 each, while quantities last
- Couples package: $64.99, while quantities last
- Admission price at the door: $20 each, while quantities last.
Saturday afternoon
- Advanced tickets: $12 each, while quantities last
- Couples package: $49.99, while quantities last
- Admission price at the door: $15 each, while quantities last.
Saturday evening
- Advanced tickets: $ 20 each, while quantities last
- Couples package: $64.99, while quantities last
- Admission price at the door: $20 each, while quantities last.
You can buy sample tokens at the event and through out the event for $1 per token. Note that you cannot refund or exchange your tokens so we would suggest only buying what you know you’re going to use and go back and purchase more if you need to. Your tickets are only good for that specific day/time. So if you buy Saturday afternoon tickets and decide to go in the evening instead you’re out of luck and will need to buy new tickets.
THE DRINKS
When it comes to the drinks at the London Food and Wine Show, you can expect the a wide variety for every taste. From local and craft breweries and wineries, to internationally renowned wines, craft beers, and spirits, you’re going to find some new favourites here. A lot of the wines that you’ll sample will be things that you can’t necessarily get at the LCBO, so be adventurous and try something new. For those who maybe don’t really know how amazing the London (and surrounding areas) brewery scene actually is, you’ll get the chance to see a ton of great local companies that you’ll want to start supporting.
For the wine, you’ll get to try everything from regular wine, ice wine and sparkling wine to fruit wine and honey wine. With spirits you can choose to try cocktails or samples of your favourite spirits. You’ll have the chance to sample some reserve samples that are not even at the LCBO! Of course you’ll also want to take a look at all of the different craft beers throughout the event. Seriously, this is the place where you get the chance to try things that you normally wouldn’t have the chance to or wouldn’t think of trying anywhere else.
THE EATS
Of course you’re going to want something delicious to pair with all of those drinks you’ll be sampling. Whether you have a serious sweet tooth or if you’re a savoury snacker, the London Food and Wine Show has you covered. You’ll get to sample from local restaurants and eateries that you might not have discovered before. Here is what you can expect from the show:
Cheese and meats: artisanal cheese, local cheese, jerky, salami, pepperettes, and kielbasa will satiate your inner charcuterie-desires. Desserts: triple chocolate brownies, chocolate covered strawberries, s’mores, cannolis, and things drizzled with caramel or dripping with nutella are all sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Food: gourmet dill pickles, rabbit stew, lamb chili, meatballs, burgers, sausages, grilled veggies, fresh fries, and nachos will lure you in with their heavenly scents.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
While the samples are the reason to go, the entertainment is the reason to stay. The Main Stage has musical talent (and a fashion show) to keep the vibes good and the evening full of fun. The Tasting Room is where you want to go to get tasting demonstrations and learn exactly what you should be tasting on your palate. The Culinary Stage is basically like watching The Food Network, but live. You’ll learn cook recipes and hear tips and tricks from amazing chefs. There is also entertainment in the lobby that will seriously knock your socks off. The lobby entertainment will feature Julia Withers, who is a circus artist that specializes in Aerial Hoop, Silks, and dance. The entertainment will also feature Page Woodburn (who, by the way, is a grade 11 student at Beal Secondary School here in London) who is skilled in dance, aerial hoop, trapeze, and contortion.
So while you might go for the food and drinks, make sure you stay a while and truly enjoy all of the incredible talent that has been lined up for you at the London Food and Wine Show.
THE MAIN STAGE
Thursday, January 17th
- 5:30PM Ben Heffernan
- 7:30PM Full Petty Fever
Friday, January 18th
- 4:00PM Justin Plet
- 6:00PM Jacob & The Blues Busters
- 8:00PM Firefighter Fashion Show
- 9:00PM Brad James
Saturday, January 19th
- 12:30PM Connor Morand
- 3:00PM Sarina Haggarty
- 6:00PM Rhapsody Rebelz
- 8:30PM Stacey Kay
THE TASTING ROOM
In the tasting room you’ll get tasting demonstrations from experts that will tell you exactly what you’re looking for on your palate. Make sure to get there on time to reserve your spot!
Thursday, January 17th 6:30PM, 7:30PM
Friday January 18th 6:30PM, 7:30PM, 8:30PM
Saturday January 19th 2:30PM, 3:30PM, 7:30PM, 8:30PM
So while you might go for the food and drinks, make sure you stay a while and truly enjoy all of the incredible talent that has been lined up for you at the London Food and Wine Show.
THE CULINARY STAGE
Thursday, January 17th
- 6:00PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
- 7:00PM Cooking with PC’s Black Label, presented by PC Cooking School at Loblaws Fanshawe Market, and Loblaw Great Food (Wonderland & Southdale)
- 9:00PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
Friday January 18th
- 5:30PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
- 7:00PM Cooking demonstration
- 8:30PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
Saturday January 19th
- 1:00PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
- 2:00PM Feature from Executive Chef Brandon Stewart with Restaurant Ninety One: Pan-Seared Scallops with Chorizo Corn Chowder, Pico De Gallo, and Fried Brussel Sprout Petals
- 3:00PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe
- 6:30PM Feature from The Chef’s Table Restaurant and Cafe 7:30PM Cooking demonstration
THINGS TO KNOW
For those who are new to the London Wine and Food Show, or for those who are a little rusty on the details, here are some things to know:
- This is a 19+ event, so get a babysitter and leave the kiddos at home.
- You’ll get sample glasses there and there are washing stations so that you can rinse out your glass in order to not taint your next sample.
- They have coat check, so you won’t have to worry about walking around with your bulky winter jacket on.
- Be prepared to buy more sample tokens. The samples can cost anywhere from one tokens (for example an aged, oak barrel reserve single malt scotch sample is going to cost more tokens then a regular wine sample) so they can go fast, depending on your tastes.
- It fills up FAST so you’ll really want to buy advance tickets. It gets really packed in there so they keep it at capacity, which means that those who did not buy advance tickets might be standing outside waiting in the cold for people to exit before they can go in. Just do yourself a favour and buy those early tickets.
- The food vendors can get long line ups because there are less of them than the drink vendors, so try to grab the food early, or keep an eye on the line and try to take advantage of a slower time.
- They do have water and soda places for those who don’t drink alcohol.
- There are cocktail style tables as well as different lounges set up here and there.
- Remember that you’re getting SAMPLES and not meals, so don’t come ravenous.
- If one of the days becomes sold out (it happens) don’t stress if you’ve bought the advanced tickets. They keep track of how many tickets are outstanding and how many have been redeemed. So advanced ticket holders will always be able to gain entry into the show at any given time.
This year marks the 13th annual London Food and Wine Show. Each year it gets better and better and has quickly become a must-do event for Londoners who enjoy good food, good drinks, and a fun night out. If you haven’t gone yet, then you’re seriously going to want to give this event a try. If you have gone in the past, then just know that this year is going to be just as amazing, if not better, as the last time! But don’t wait too long before buying tickets! The event is known for selling out on days, so you’re really going to want to jump on it!