Newmarket’s first PoutineFest was a hot, cheesy mess.
Poutine aficionados had forks in hand last night at Market & Co.’s first annual celebration of National Poutine Day, which included poutine tastings from four different Upper Canada Mall vendors: New York Fries, Union Chicken, Pier 87 and Seed to Sausage.
“The Quebecois slang for mess is actually poutine, so poutine means mess. We’re going to have a mess tonight,” event host chef Julian Pancer said while welcoming the local poutine gourmands who had purchased tickets for the night’s festivities.
The ever popular poutine dish originated in Quebec and consists of French fries, cheese and gravy.
Throughout the event, Pancer delighted the audience with history and trivia about the delectable dish while conversing with the guests about their meals.
At the end of each tasting, guests were given scorecards to rate each competitor based on the fry, cheese, garnish, overall taste, creativity, presentation and personality.
The first team to present their dish was New York Fries, with a classic Double Bacon Cheese Poutine paired with a bottle of Coca-Cola.
Pancer described the dish as nostalgic, saying it reminded him of high school and noting that nostalgia plays a large part in our taste.
The second tasting came from Pier 87 Fish Market and Grill, a Lobster Poutine with roasted garlic pepper seasoning, Ontario cheese curds, real Atlantic lobster and tarragon and shrimp oil. The dish was paired with Newmarket’s own Market Brewing Company’s Dark Humor beer.
The guests expressed mixed reviews on the dish, with some unsure about the tarragon taste, comparing it to a black licorice. Yes others who said they normally wouldn’t eat fish thoroughly enjoyed it.
Seed to Sausage was next to share its Montreal Style Brisket Poutine, paired with a light, Big Rig Premium Pilsner beer.
The owner, Greg Bedford, went on to explain how the meat is prepared in the kitchen for nine days to give it that perfect taste. Their mouthwatering dish left the crowd hungry for more.
“It’s all about the gravy and, of course, with us it’s the brisket which we make ourselves,” said Bedford.
The final presentation came from executive chef Michael Angeloni’s O.G. Poutine from Union Chicken.
“It’s all about putting detail into every item. So our fries are triple cooked, our cheese curds are really good quality, gravy is made from scratch, fried chicken is marinated, cooked to order,” Angeloni said.
The chicken poutine was served with Downhill Pale Ale from the Collingwood Brewery.
While the crowd’s scores were being tallied, chef Pancer gave his own score and feedback to the vendors. Coming out on top, was Union Chicken’s O.G Poutine, with a score of 32.5/35, winning the Chef’s Choice Award of the Golden Fry Basket.
After much anticipation, Chef Pancer revealed the scores for the People’s Choice Award. It was close, but Union Chicken was victorious again winning over the tastebuds of the poutine foodies with the deep- fried chicken, topped with Louisiana Hot sauce and Hot Honey. Angeloni was awarded the large Gravy Bowl Trophy.
Angeloni promised to make the O.G. Poutine a regular menu item since it won the competition. But it will be part of the secret menu, so you will have to ask for it when you visit, just tell them NewmarketToday sent you.
Pancer is a well-known chef in the culinary community. His great-grandfather is the founder of Toronto’s Pancer’s Deli, which opened in 1957 — coincidentally the same year the poutine was created.
He currently co-owns the deli, as well as The Chef Upstairs, a cooking studio in Vaughan, all while running the culinary events at Upper Canada Mall and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.
In total, 21 guests enjoyed the tastings, including Innisfil couple Ali Cunliff and Joe Leilich.
“We wanted to support local vendors and we love poutine,” said Cunliff, who is a foodie who owns her own catering business.
