Page 22 - 04-June-2024

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Savour the Flavours
Taste of Edmonton Turns 40
A LOT HAS CHANGED in the four decades Taste of Edmonton has been showcasing the city’s culinary offerings. From humble beginnings with just 15 vendors to more than 40 vendors, nine food trucks and 178 menu items that make up the iconic festival today, Taste of Edmonton has become an anchor in Edmonton’s cultural tapestry.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Taste of Edmonton is going big with 11 new partners, two new food trucks, 88 new menu items — including halal options — and a swath of some 41 performances that will make Churchill Square so lively it’ll give an Oilers’ playoff game a run for its money.
But birthdays are only fun if you can celebrate with friends and family and, for Taste of Edmonton, everyone is family. That’s why the festival is doing everything it can to ensure as many people as possible can access the goodies,
treats, savoury-and-sweets up for grabs this summer from July 18 - 28. How might they be doing that? By keeping the event big, but the impact on your wallet small.
“We are so proud to say our ticket price hasn’t increase since 2018,” general manager Donovan Vienneau says. And at a time when most people are staying home in the face of a thinner pocketbook, being able to cut loose a little goes a long way.
“We understand inflation and the skyrocketing price of, well, everything. You’re not going to experience that at Taste of Edmonton,” Vienneau says.
But Taste of Edmonton wants
to do more than just keep the event affordable, says Vienneau — they want to keep giving back to the community and they’re doing that by continuing their partnership with Edmonton Food Bank.
“Any unused tickets, we’re asking Edmontonians to donate them. The proceeds go to the Edmonton Food Bank,” Vienneau says, adding that last year the event was able to donate $13,000.
Giving doesn’t stop at donations. For Taste of Edmonton, it’s part of the
backbone of their mission. Each year, the festival contributes some $10 million in economic impact and that’s something organizers are rightfully proud of.
“When you’re buying a ticket, and pass that to a local restaurant, you’re not just getting an item
or beverage, it’s actually going back into the local economy,” Vienneau says.
“Our whole world at Taste
of Edmonton is about going out and enjoying the food today, but afterwards we want people to
go and enjoy the food you found here at these bricks-and-mortar restaurants. We want to introduce you to some amazing cuisine.” •