First OECS Food Fair held in Toronto
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First OECS Food Fair held in Toronto

By Nicole Georges
July 04 2015 1:54 P.M

Some of the food on display at the fair.

Toronto, Canada (TDN) Chefs, caterers and restaurants proudly showcased the culinary delights of their native islands at the first ever O.E.C.S Food Fair, that formed part of activities in Toronto marking the 34th anniversary of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

Food and product vendors representing the islands of Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda displayed their national dishes at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, promoting and introducing the tantalizing flavours and aromas of Caribbean cuisine to a diverse audience. The event was staged and hosted by the O.E.C.S National Councils Canada.

A wide variety of dishes were offered up for sampling including, Oil Down, Souse, pig feet in Callaloo broth, titiri accraas, bakes, pigeon peas and rice, fried fish, jerk chicken (Dominican version) saltfish in all its versatile and delectable incarnations, goat water, homemade pepper sauces and marinades, bouillon and fungi amongst other fare.

A mouth watering selection of sweets and desserts including coconut drops, fudge, cherry cake, sweet potato pudding and raison buns abounded.

Chair of the O.E.C.S Cultural & Entertainment Committee, Eulalie Walling-Sampson said the purpose of the Food Fair was to expose regional cuisine to a Toronto audience, “We have a variety of interesting and unique culinary experiences, and this is an opportunity for the community to taste and enjoy that.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Dominican Food vendor, Althea Telemacque of A&A Catering who described the Fair as a good venue for exposure , “Dominica has such fantastic people and nature, we wanted to show that our food is also fabulous.” The Fair’s program also included a fashion show of O.E.C.S designers and other entertainment.

The week of OECS anniversary observance began with a multi-denominational church service, a Forum examining issues related to O.E.C.S states chaired by Dominica’s Trade and Investment Commissioner Frances Delsol, culminating in the O.E.C.S Food Fair.

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