The annual Taste of Lawrence festival is just around the corner, and this year organizers are switching things up a huge focus on food.
“We’re a global festival, so my main goal is to make sure that we are representing as many cultures as possible to represent Scarborough’s evolving identity,” said Bruce Scavuzzo, event manager for this year’s festival.
I had the chance to speak to Scavuzzo about the plans for this year’s festival. The Wexford Heights BIA hosted event is celebrating its 12th year, and amidst a plethora of night market-type events in the GTA it is recognized as one that presents the most diverse selection of food. Particularly in the last few years I’ve had the chance to eat food from a variety of up and coming popups featuring things like Korean fried popcorn chicken and grilled kebabs with kimchi. “We represent the cultural melting pot, we have Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Caribbean foods at the event,” Scavuzzo added.
Scavuzzo and his team are doubling the number of food vendors this year, and he’s hoping to have nearly 40 that will be set up on Lawrence East. It will be a mix of food trucks, popups and restaurants.
Expect a variety of global snacks and foods at the Taste of Lawrence festival, it's one of the most diverse in the city's event landscape.
Here’s a list of vendors you should check out at this year’s Taste of Lawrence festival.
Original Chimney’s food truck: One of Toronto’s newest food trucks is quickly making waves for their Eastern European Kurtoskalacs – which are freshly baked cone pastries stuffed with a variety of sweet and savoury items. Try the one with nutella or cream cheese icing.
Rebozo’s: The popular Mexican restaurant now has a food truck, and will be serving an authentic array of tacos. Rebozo’s tortas and pork tacos are highlights.
Liko’s – One of the city’s most popular Hawaiian barbecue huts, they’ll be set up with an assortment of meat skewers, pork sandwiches, and Hawaiian huli huli chicken.
Nanalyn Jerk – A local Caribbean vendor that is a crowd favourite, serving up jerk chicken, curried goat roti.
Jerk chicken with rice and peas from Nanalyn
Corrado’s – A local restaurant in the area, expect a mix of Italian and Greek food from this restaurant, with arancini (stuffed rice balls) being the main highlight.
Kaboom chicken – This Korean fried chicken vendor will probably have the longest lineup at night so hit them first, and grab a Korean pork taco along with the KFC.
Spice is Right – Another Caribbean vendor worth a visit, for fried plantain and jerk chicken.
Soul 2 go Canada – If you love lobster mac n' cheese then visit this tent at the show this weekend. Also expect bannock tacos and a selection of empanadas.
Malaysian Kitchen – We don't get the chance to try Malaysian Murtabak (stufed roti) often in the downtown core, and luckily this is the best vendor in the GTA. They'll be at the show all weekend with a selection of meat and veg rotis.
Chifles on the go – A Colombian food vendor that specalizes in grilled meats, sausage and sandwiches. The best item on the menu is the Colombian sausage, but also get the fried pork.
Lotus Catering – This local family run catering company will be serving Egyptian shawarma and fajitas. They have a loyal following so expect a lineup to build quickly.
Taste of Lawrence runs July 3 to 5th on Lawrence Avenue from Warden Ave to Birchmount Rd on Lawrence.
