Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) opens today! Prior to their official opening date, I had the opportunity to attend CNE Media Preview Day where bloggers and media got a sneak peek at some of the creative concoctions from this year's The Toronto Star Food Building. We got to sample several innovative foods for 2016 at the CNE. The CNE opens Friday Aug, 19 and runs until Monday, Sept 5.

Thanks to Pancho's Bakery for the complimentary churros and coffee for breakfast.



The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) runs from Aug. 19 to Sept 5. and admission is $18. There is also a discounted rate of $6 if you go after 5 pm from Monday to Thursday. That is an amazing deal! Besides the food, there are tons of new attractions this year like the Innovation Garage, Star Trek exhibit, and a new waterfront show. Don't forget to use the Grabb app to pre-order at over 30 vendors at the CNE this year.

Blueberry Pie Milkshake ($12) from Fran’s Restaurant
 (blueberry pie blended into vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream, blue and white sprinkles, cotton candy, Smarties, a chocolate wafer stick, and a slice of blueberry pie)


Bacon Croissundae from Fran’s Restaurant
(croissant stuffed with maple bacon and vanilla ice cream)

 

 Churro Cheeseburger ($12) from Pancho's Bakery/EPIC Burgers
 (classic EPIC burger patty with cheese, tomato and lettuce stuffed between two churro buns)


 Froot O' Donut ($1.50) by Tim Hortons
(Tim Hortons plain doughnut topped with frosting and fruit loops)


 Cream Cotton Candy Chill ($4.25) from Tim Hortons
(cotton candy flavours blended frozen with cream and topped with whipped topping and cotton candy)




 Deep Fried Cookie Dough Balls (Chocolate) ($3 each, $6.75 small, and large $8.75) from Cookie Dough Me
(deep-fried cookie dough topped with a chocolate syrup, whipped cream and powdered sugar)


  Deep Fried Cookie Dough Balls (Red Velvet) from Cookie Dough Me

 

Spam Double Down by Miami Press
(thick pieces of Spam as buns, stuffed with bacon, tomatoes, cheese and chipotle sauce)


 Fish & Chips ($9.99) from Su&Bu
(wonton chips, nacho cheese sauce, spicy mayo, tuna, salmon, avocado and corn, fish eggs and nori strips)


The Samurachi Sushi Burrito ($10.99) from Su&Bu
 (salmon, ahi tuna, avocado, cucumber, red cabbage, jalapenos and chili pepper vinaigrette)


 Chimney Stax Filled With Yogurty’s by Chimney Stax
(Crazy For Caramel by Chimney Stax
 Classic White Sugar Stax Rolled in Caramel Corn
Froyo + Caramel Chocolate Turtles + Salted Caramel Drizzle)


Roast Beef Yorkshire Bowl ($9.99) from Eat My Bowl

(roast beef, gravy and horse radish cream all placed in an edible bowl)

The Cartoon Dog ($7.05) from Maggie's
(deep-fried bacon wrapped hot dog with peanut butter jam, spicy mayo and topped with Cap'n Crunch cereal)


Sexy Surf and Turf ($8 for one or $15 for 2) from Hot Bunzz Street Cuizine
(bison short rib stuffed bun topped with lemon garlic aioli and east coast lobster made Jerk style)


The Big Pickle Dog ($9) from Pickle Pete's
(giant pickle with a hot dog centre with corn dog batter and deep fried)


The Philly Steaklair ($12) from Philthy Philly's Food
(traditional cheesesteak sandwiched with a cream puff eclair, topped with bacon meats, whipped cream and chocolate icing)


Pulled Pork Cinnamon Rolls ($9.50) from Howie’s Cinnamon Rolls
(pulled-pork cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting)



Rose Apple Dumplings ($5) from One Sweet Mama
(baked apple dumplings topped with ice cream)


The Canadian Bacon Taco ($10.65 for two) from Bacon Nation
(taco made with a peameal bacon shell with BBQ pulled pork, mango pico, burrito sauce and parsley)


ThreeSum Burger ($15) from Corrados Authentic Italian
(colossal burger filled with Italian meatballs, Canadian mac and cheese and Greek fries topped with feta cheese, coleslaw and bacon)


The Bug Dog ($6.75) from Bug Bistro
 (hormone-free beef frank seasoned with crispy mustard crickets)


 Deep-Fried Butter Tarts ($7)
(deep-fried butter tart topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce)


 The Raclette ($13) from House Of Brisket
(potatoes, cocktail onions and cornichons topped with freshly melted raclette cheese)

Dessert Nachos from Nacho Libre
(tortilla chips with Nutella, strawberry puree and bananas)

I'll be attending the CNE this weekend, so hope to see you there.

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Disclaimer: The food provided in this post was complimentary. However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.