The 3rd Annual Destination Thailand Event will be taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square on September 10, 2016. The all-day event will be showcasing sensational performances (Muay Thai & Thai dances), hands-on activities (Thai massage & crafts), and vibrant Thai cuisine. It is the largest Thai festival in Canada, and will be hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy who are based in Ottawa. The event aims to provide an ideal opportunity to discover the culture of Thailand right in the heart of downtown Toronto.  



I had the pleasure of being invited by Rey (@eatnmingle) to the media preview of the upcoming Destination Thailand cultural food festival. The media preview took place at the Thai Trade Centre at 31 Gloucester Street in Toronto. The center is currently not open to the public, so it was an honor that they opened it for us to attend the preview. 

Date: September 10, 2016
Venue: Yonge and Dundas Square, Toronto
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm
Admission: FREE (rain or shine)

 

The Royal Thai Embassy also runs a certification program called "Thai Select", where they reward the authenticity of the Thai foods prepared in restaurants. The designation identifies restaurants that are 60 percent authentic Thai foods, employ the same or similar cooking methods used in Thailand, and import ingredients from Thailand. There is a total of 88 Thai Select restaurants bestowed in Canada; a certification of truly authentic Thai cuisine. 8 of them are participating at this year's Destination Thailand 2016.

Bangkok Garden
Pai Toronto
Golden Thai
Linda Modern Thai
Soi Thai
Thai Noodle
Patchmon's Thai Dessert
Stratford Thai Cuisine 



During the media preview, we learned a lot about the upcoming Destination Thailand 2016, what Thai Select is all about, and were treated to an assortment of Thai dishes that will be available at the event on September 10th. It was also a pleasure meeting Daovipa Leekumjohn (Minister Counsellor) and Nuit Regular (Thai Select Ambassador) who are pictured below. Both women were passionate and enthusiastic when talking about the food and culture of Thailand. 



As previously mentioned, we were given the opportunity to taste test a variety of authentic Thai dishes. Thai cuisine embodies a lot of flavors and textures, and the dishes from the Thai Select restaurants clearly demonstrate what Thai food is all about. Some of the dishes just harmoniously blend spicy and sweet/sour flavors together. Overall, it was nice trying dishes other than Pad Thai, which is my usual order at most Thai restaurants.

Toasted Cashew Chicken - with Thai spice from Bangkok Garden

 

Rice -  toasted cashew chicken, vegetarian emerald curry from Bangkok Garden



Moo Nam Tok - Thai style grilled pork jowl in sour and spicy sauce from from Pai Northern Kitchen



 Gai Ping - grilled chicken thigh with tamarind, fish sauce, lime juice and roasted rice from Pai Northern Kitchen



 Moo Nam Tok | North Eastern Thai style grilled pork jowl in a sweet & sour tamarind sauce | Gai Ping - grilled chicken skewer, tamarind, fish sauce, lime juice from Pai Northern Kitchen

 

Golden Thai Tempeh & Tofu Satay - with peanut sauce from Golden Thai



Massaman Lamb Curry - with rice from Golden Thai

 

 Lemongrass Chicken - with Sang Gua & homemade sriracha from Linda Modern Thai

 

  Modern Beef Salad - with palm sugar syrup, mint, pickled onions from Linda Modern Thai

 


 Khao Kha Moo - pork hock stewed in soy-based broth, star anise, cinnamon, cilantro root, garlic, white peppercorns, jasmine rice, blanched gai lan, pickled mustard greens, hard-boiled egg, chilli vinegar sauce from Soi Thai


 Kha-Nhom Chun - coconut layer cake from Patchmon’s Thai Desserts & More



Sweet Tapioca with Coconut Cream , Thai Flower-Shaped Cookies, Pineapple Cookies, Thai Spicy Pork Cookies from Patchmon’s Thai Desserts & More

 


Ta-Goe -  pandanus leaf wrapped around young coconut meat, coconut cream, sweet corn, tapioca pearls and Kha-Tuu - steamed, sundried, pan-fried rice, coconut from Patchmon’s Thai Desserts & More

Destination Thailand 2016 Passport

Thank you to both Rey (@eatnmingle) and the Royal Thai Embassy for having me at the media preview. It was a wonderfully planned event with lots of delicious eats, and rather informative.