(Credit: Stereo Caliente Entertainment)
The Colombian Gastronomy Festival is set to return to London, Ont., for its eighth edition promising a celebration of culture through music, dancers, drinks, and food as the central element.
“This is the second year we’re doing it for three days. Also, we’re adding more authentic Colombian cuisine. This time, we will have around 20 vendors, which is huge compared to 2023 when we had 10 to 12 of them. This means more opportunities and variety,” says Pablo Tovar, Stereo Caliente Entertainment Founder and Colombian Gastronomy Festival organizer.
(Credit: Stereo Caliente Entertainment)
This year, Colombian Independence Day, July 20, falls next Saturday, marking the second day of this event. “Usually, this commemoration doesn’t coincide with the weekend of our event, the 2024 edition will be a unique and significant festivity for us,” he adds.
According to Tovar, Media and TV series often portray Colombia in a way that distorts its true essence and therefore there is something important to stand in. “Colombians have a negative history because of the perspective exposed on the news. We aim to promote our culture through food, positivity, and joy showcasing that we are much more than the image some people may have of our past. We want to foster a different viewpoint. We have a beautiful country.”
(Credit: Stereo Caliente Entertainment)
Attendees will enjoy a diversity of dishes, not only from a province, including lechona (roast pig), empanadas (stuffed pastries), papa rellena (stuffed potatoes), tamales (corn dough wrapped in a leaf), carimañolas (stuffed yuca fritters), and buñuelos (fried dough balls).
“We will provide what we offer in multiple cities. For example, arepas, asados (barbecue), and chuleta valluna (Valluna-style pork chop,” he says.
“We are fortunate to have marketplaces that offer a variety of products. Each year, it becomes easier to find Colombian ingredients, fruits, and spices; in London. For instance, papa amarilla (yellow potato) is a popular staple that people can find in Asian and Latin American supermarkets. It was more difficult to buy certain Latin American crops in Canada a few years ago,” Pablo Tovar concludes.
(Credit: Stereo Caliente Entertainment)
The event is free, and open to everyone, not just for Colombians. It strives to educate a broader audience about the culture and heritage from that nation. It will take place on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 4 p.m. to midnight, and on Sunday, July 21, from noon to 9 p.m. at Covent Garden Market featuring the best of the gastronomy, and also live music, dance performances, and artisan craft vendors.
