Pop Up: Starry Night in Pictures (November 21st,, 2015)

Pop Up: Starry Night on November 21st! Our LAST Pop Up Dining Event of 2015!!!

Summer Nights at the Cotton Factory - A Season of Culinary Magic!

Downton Downtown in Pictures!

Did you miss Our UNFORGETTABLE Pop Up: Downton Downtown with Evan Anderson of The Edgewater Manor and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery at Hamilton's historic Players Guild Theatre?  All the details including the incredible menu that honoured all six seasons of Downton Abbey in the most innovative way!  ENJOY! 

"The Grand Feast" Pop Up at Dundurn Castle

On May 8th, we were thrilled to present our most opulent, unforgettable Pop Up event to date: a five-course tasting experience at Hamilton's historic Dundurn Castle with VG Meats, Rosewood Estate Winery and Nickel Brook Beer.  This "Grand Feast" featured extraordinary chefs Mark Farrugia (La Piazza Allegra), Jonny Blonde (Jonny Blonde Food Truck), and Paddy Townsend (Spencer's on The Waterfront) and chefs from VG Meats preparing innovative, tantalizing dishes using VG Meats products and paired with Rosewood Estate Wines and Nickel Brook "Cause and Effect" Pale Ale.  Photo recap below and don't miss our next event on July 4th, Pop Up: Downton Downtown, a celebration of the cuisine of Downton Abbey!

Ready for our Pop Up guests!

Our regal tent at Dundurn Castle with 2016 BMWs on display (courtesy of Budds' BMW)

Guests arrive and are greeted by members of the Steel City Rovers Mark Fletcher and Drew Skuce

We may have went a little overboard on security for The Grand Feast (courtesy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police)

Mark Fletcher and Drew Skuce of the Steel City Rovers

Beef liver pâté w black summer truffle on a bilini with shaved cured duck egg yolk

Seared flat iron steak w black cherry Demi glaze, blue cheese and caramelized onions served in a "golden cup" w arugula and  scalloped potato (Jonny Blonde)

5 ounce grilled strip, lager and honey braised rapini and sweet potato/goat cheese purée topped with aged bone jus

Our all-start chefs with the Van Gronigen family (VG Meats)

Another smashing Pop Up event! Mad love to all who attended and looking forwards to seeing you at Pop Up: Downton Downtown on July 4th!

Why You Need To Put Ken Lefebour's "The Happening Too" on June 6th In Your Calendar Right Now!

On June 6th, culinary maestro Ken Lefebour is hosting a phenomenal event that showcases exceptional local food, art. music, dance and much more at the Hamilton Spectator auditorium. Tickets are available now at the Hamilton Spectator customer service desk or at Nellie James Gourmet Food To Go in Dundas.  Please note, if this is all the information you need to attend what will surely be one of the summer's great events, stop reading and go get your tickets.  If you need a little more information read our love letter to Ken below (or in Hamilton Magazine's December 2014 issue)

In our previous life, we hosted one-night only tours of great Hamilton area dining destinations by neighbourhood where we featured four great local eateries who each provided three samples of signature dishes.  These events were very well attended and always a lot of fun but there is ONE stop that has stayed with us as a culinary oasis and that is our stop at Nellie James Gourmet Food To Go in Dundas.  In truth, chef Ken Lefebour's small but mighty location has no seating of any kind ("Gourmet Food To Go") and is hardly equipped to host 40+ culinary adventurers.  In fact, Ken was a last minute add to our tour.  In spite of this and with minimal preparation time, Ken transformed the green space behind Nellie James into an elegant garden party setting AND elected to forever raise the restaurant tour experience bar by serving this:

1.  Roasted “Koike Farm” Zucchini with Saint Mary’s Unripened Goat Cheese, Basil and Pickled Watermelon Rind (pictured below)
2. Local Candy Cane Beet with In-House Hickory Smoked Chicken Breast, Red Wine Syrup and Fried Bella Vitano Cheese
3. ”Jepson Meats” Naturally Raised Pork Tenderloin on a Blue Cheese Biscuit with Bourbon Reduction and Lamb Jelly

Thus began our love affair with an extraordinary chef.  He has been the feature chef at two Pop Up Hamilton events; a television mainstay; featured in countless articles in magazines and newspapers and is easily one of the most in-demand caterers. 

The Happening Too

If we had only reason to attend 'The Happening Too', it would be the exquisite cuisine.  Known as an enthusiastic champion and supporter of local farms and food providers, Ken's dishes feature the very best our local farmers and growers have to offer prepared by a chef that truly understand flavours, balance and tasting experience without being afraid of bold, delicious experimentation.

If we need another reason (we really don't), the fact that it's a celebration of incredible local artists like the soulful Laura Cole, troubadour/chanteuse Mimi Shaw, rockabilly sensation Burnin' Ethyl, a slew of visual artists, dance and much, much more.

As event producers, we could just rave about the positively electric excitement surrounding The Happening Too and what is sure to be an unforgettable evening but actions speak louder than words so we'll simply say "We wouldn't miss this experience for anything!"

Hope to see you there, Hamilton!

Pop Up: Downton Downtown July 4th! Tickets On Sale Now!!!

We invite the Lords and Ladies of Hamilton to a Downtown Abbey-themed celebration of great cuisine and fabulous wine!  Join us as we create a one-night only four course dining experience worthy of the table of post-Edwardian Yorkshire in an unforgettable and period appropriate location.  Each course of this authentic culinary experience will be paired with an exceptional wine and, as always, expect a few surprises!

Your Mom Deserves an UNFORGETTABLE Mothers' Day Gift: Pop Up Tickets for Two!

Last year, we offered Mothers' Day Pop Up Hamilton gift certificates  and they were a runaway hit!  We were fortunate enough to meet many of your wonderful Moms at our events since then and we thought we'd do it again!

 

We have a (very, very) limited number of Mothers' Day gift certificate packages that includes all inclusive admission for 2 to any Pop Up Hamilton event in a gift bag with a special treat. (No less than 4 courses of phenomenal cuisine and pairings)

 

Mothers' Day gift certificates are available for $190 (a savings of $37.08 off our regular ticket pricing) payable by e-transfer until they are gone! Deliveries will be made to any address in the Hamilton/Burlington area no later than Thursday, May 7th.