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.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an annual event that takes place at The Exhibition Place every summer for 18 days. I try my best to attend the CNE almost every year, as I love trying out the different concoctions of food items, check out the shops inside of the Direct Energy Centre and play carnival games.


What is CNE?  The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is Canada’s largest event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a variety of entertainment and events including Bandshell concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, an aerial acrobatics and ice skating show, a dog show, a working farm, parades and a three-day Air Show, all of which are FREE with admission to the CNE.

    Location? Exhibition Place at 210 Princes’ Boulevard

When? August 21 – September 7, 2015

Food Building

Every year, over 1 million people visit the Toronto Star Food Building to experience the variety of foods available. It is located west of the GO/TTC Gate and directly north of BMO Field. This year, get your food faster with the Food Building App by Grabb Mobile.

TIPS BEFORE YOU GO:

1) If you know for sure that you'll be attending CNE, buy your tickets in advanced. You save up to 33% on CNE tickets when you buy them prior to their first day of opening on August 18.

2) Don't forget to wear sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

3) Bring cash, as many places don't take debit or credit.

4) On a budget? Go after 5 pm on the weekday for a discount rate of $6 per person.

5) I highly recommend people take public transit, as parking spaces are rather limited downtown.

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Here are some of this year's featured items that have really caught my eyes. I can't wait to attend this year's CNE.

Thanksgiving Waffles from Frans Restaurant

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Now Toronto

Cocoa Infused Fried Chicken from  Coco's Fried Chicken stand

Photo Credit: Jesse Milns from BlogTO

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Toronto Star

Funnel Cake

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Toronto Star

Baonana Split from Far East Taco

Photo Credit: Gabby Frank

Timbits Poutine from Tim's Horton's

Photo Credit: Notable

Deep Fried Red Velvet Oreo from The Funnel Cake Shop

Photo Credit: Now Toronto

Photo Credit: Andrew Ebrahim

Garlic Snow Crab Fries from Jake's Lobster

Photo Credit: Andrew Ebrahim

Some of the foods that I tried at the 2013 CNE

At the front of Spread

Spread's Nutella Jalapeno

Spread's Nutella French Toast (with fresh banana and strawberries)

???? (I forgot to ask my friend where he got this from)

???? (I forgot to ask my friend where he got this from)

Bacon-Nation's Deep Fried Bacon-Wrapped Mars Bar

Just Cone It's Spice Cream Cone (vanilla ice cream topped with bacon bits and chili flakes in a pizza cone lined with Nutella)

Epic Burgers' Krispy Kreme Donut Burger