NORTHEAST TOWN—Excitement is starting to build as the Home, Cottage and Culinary Show (HCC) approaches. This is the first of what is hoped will become an annual event that takes place at the NEMI Recreation Centre in Little Current. With the loss of both Manitoulin Country Fest and Rockin’ the Rock music festivals and the now long-defunct biennial Manitoulin Trade Fair, the town’s events coordinator Lisa Hallaert was looking for something that could help extend the summer season beyond Little Current Lions Club Haweater Weekend and hit upon the concept of the HCC.
“I’m really looking forward to the first annual Home, Cottage and Culinary show,” said Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin. “It will be an opportunity to sample some great food and learn from some of Manitoulin’s great chefs. Don’t forget to check out all the vendors and find some great butter tarts.”
One of the first people Ms. Hallaert recruited for the planning stages was former NEMI Councillor Barb Baker. “Lisa called me and asked, ‘would you like to help?’” recalled Ms. Baker, who has significant experience in running large events. She wasted no time in rolling up her sleeves and getting to work on the project.
The HCC will kick off on Friday, August 9 at 4 pm with the Manitoulin Island’s Best Butter Tart Competition (sponsored by Manitoulin Transport). The event will have two categories, Best Home and Best Business baker. At 7 pm, there will be a special live cooking demo by Chef Louis Simard, with limited seating at 20 and a $20 entry fee (tickets at the Manitoulin Culinary Tourism booth (as a bonus, participants can sample the resulting foods). This will be reprised at 11 am on Saturday. At 2 pm it is Chef Mark Hobson giving the demonstration and at 4 pm it is Chef Simon DeSousa. On Sunday, M’Chigeeng’s own Pam Roy takes to the stage at 12 pm.
On Saturday the fun starts with a Kids’ Zone in the curling rink at the NEMI Recreation Centre. On Sunday, the arena will be filled with the Home and Cottage Market where local artisans will ply their wares. Throughout the weekend, there will be live cooking demonstrations, guest speakers, pop-up food vendors and a host of food and service suppliers who will be happy to talk about what they have to offer here on Manitoulin Island.
A nice bit of throwback is the High Tea pre-event, which is unfortunately now sold out.
The HCC promises to be a stellar event that the organizers hope to see become an annual event showcasing much of what Manitoulin has to offer in the home, culinary and cottage realms. Whether building or renovating your Island property there will be something of interest to take in.
Among the culinary vendors will be Heartwood Mushrooms, Split Rail Brewery, Pampered Chef, Kendra’s Confections, Jake’s Culinary items, Manitoulin Teas, Ruth’s Carmel Corn and Rainbow Farms North, Loco Beanz, Prepped Manitoulin, Xoctli Latin Street Food and Manitoulin Farmstead, just to name a few.
Admission is $5 a day per person
