Les Fetes Gourmandes Internationales 2010

Les Fetes Gourmandes Internationales 2010, is taking place from the 28th of July to the 1st of August. For 18 years this event has been held on Saint Helen's island, but for the first time it is brought to the Centropolis in Laval. With easy access, a huge amount of free parking, this is a great spot for this large event consisting of over 60 kiosks from around the world. Countries ranging from Polish, Portuguese, Jamaican, Brazilian, African and a Little Italy with over 12 kiosks, featuring a beautiful Lamborghini booth with the new Supperlegera. Of course Quebec food also plays a huge role, with bison, duck and "Queue de Castor".

Admission for the day is a measly 8$, a great price to see all the different culinary items available in our world, or 10$ for a 5 day pass. Food is extra of course, with prices starting at 1$, this day can become quite expensive. I held myself back, trying only items that are very difficult to find in our city.

I started with Kangaroo steak, a tender piece of meat cooked nicely was a little strong in taste. Next on the menu was seal, with a steak texture, it tasted somewhat of beef liver. This was my least favorite item of the day. Another booth was serving up alligator, turtles, snakes and insects. I wanted to try all four but they only had two left. The snake was tough, dry and had a fishy taste to it.On the other hand the alligator was nicely cooked, tender and served with couscous. One of the better dishes of the day. The camel had a grainy like beef texture, but the fact that it was turned into a burger made it tasty. The milk fed veal brochette with melted cheese was delicious and so was the calzone and pizza.

Dessert was the best part, starting off with 3 different cheeses, with sliced baguette and a small piece of foie gras torchon, delicious and the best value for the money at 6$. Next was a piece of sugar pie with pecans, so tasty, sugary and salty, my taste buds were really starting to dance again. Last but not least was the chocolate churros, do I really need to say more... Deep fried dough topped with sugar and filled with a chocolate hazelnut sauce.

A gorgeous sunny Saturday afternoon, with 2 and a half hours of fun, this day was well worth it even if the price tag for 2 came to 75$. I decided not to try any of the huge selection of beers for the fact that it was  a very hot day and I was already exhausted. This was a great success with the massive amount of people who attended, hopefully next year they can bring even more food into the mix, I know for sure that I'll be heading back!

http://www.fetesgourmandesinternationales.com/