{"id":3049,"date":"2014-03-28T09:59:29","date_gmt":"2014-03-28T13:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/?p=3049"},"modified":"2014-03-28T14:12:49","modified_gmt":"2014-03-28T18:12:49","slug":"6th-annual-totally-fabulous-vegan-bake-off-in-toronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/6th-annual-totally-fabulous-vegan-bake-off-in-toronto\/","title":{"rendered":"6th Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off in Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This weekend was the <a href=\"http:\/\/bakeoff.veg.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">6th Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off<\/a>, and it was bigger than ever. Every year I go, I have to think about <a title=\"Toronto: 3rd Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off and Nuit Blanche!\" href=\"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/toronto-3rd-annual-totally-fabulous-vegan-bake-off-and-nuit-blanche\/\" target=\"_blank\">the first one<\/a> I went to at\u00a0Harbourfront Community Center (the Third one.) I was so excited, since I had never been to a bake off before, let alone a vegan one at that point. These days, the idea that I only got ONE plate at my first one doesn&#8217;t even make sense, but I&#8217;ve learned my lesson.<\/p>\n<p>This year, the Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off was held at Daniels Spectrum in Regent Park. I liked that it got some of us east of Yonge Street for a few hours, and I really like that it was at a venue that was non-denominational and has actively tried to be accessible to people with varying levels of mobility and socioeconomic status, AND has been a great spot for local social and food justice events, meetings, and activities.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/instagram.com\/p\/l5QdI2zUE7\/embed\/\" height=\"710\" width=\"612\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In a moment of excellent pre-planning, JC and I brought along a blanket to sit on, and I purchased the maximum tickets allowed as early as possible before we even knew if we could go to the Bake Off or would be in the city. Either way, it&#8217;s a fun event, and we knew the money would be going to a good cause.<\/p>\n<p>We got to the venue early (we thought) but if there is anything I&#8217;ve learned &#8211; vegans like bake offs, and at around 1:30 there was already a long line inside. There were a few issues with the lines once things got started up, but I&#8217;m sure organizers will learn from it and improvements will happen again next year.\u00a0The one thing you notice when you go every year &#8211; it just keeps evolving and getting better, and I feel like organizers do care about the experience both attendees and bakers have at the event.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3070 alignnone\" alt=\"vegan bake off\" src=\"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/vegan-bake-off.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/vegan-bake-off.jpg 640w, https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/vegan-bake-off-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of my favourite things to do, is to take pictures of all the presentation plates every year, but since my camera is actually still out of commission (as I found out AFTER taking lots of photos at the bakeoff \ud83d\ude41 ), that didn&#8217;t happen much this year. Luckily you can check out a few of the beautiful presentation plates over at <a href=\"http:\/\/thewholenicole.wordpress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Whole Nicole<\/a> and this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blogto.com\/slideshows\/totally-fabulous-vegan-bake-off-toronto\/2582\/\" target=\"_blank\">slideshow from BlogTo<\/a>. There is also a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/groups\/1878268@N24\/\" target=\"_blank\"> bake off flickr group<\/a> full of photos from this year and years gone by!<\/p>\n<p>There were so many delicious plates to choose from, in lots of fun categories, but the choice was clear &#8211; we started with all 3 of the Pro plates.<\/p>\n<h1>The Pro Plates<\/h1>\n<h6>Professionally Crafted Vegan Classics 1<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Professionally Crafted Vegan Classics 1 by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434746745\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Professionally Crafted Vegan Classics 1\" src=\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2824\/13434746745_d205151386.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Pizza Bun by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.throughbeingcoolvegan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Through Being Cool Bakery<\/a> (These also won best Pro in show)<br \/>\nBlack, White and Gooey all Over from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Omega-Creations\/205072326191019\" target=\"_blank\">Omega Creations<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vegandanishbakery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vegan Danish Bakery<\/a>: Annelise\u2019s Royal Pecan Butter Tart<br \/>\nDressed Up Cupcake<br \/>\nKale and Provolone Scone from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.torisbakeshop.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tori&#8217;s Bakeshop<\/a><\/p>\n<h6>Professionally Crafted Vegan Classics 2<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Professional Crafted Vegan Classics 2 by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434748295\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Professional Crafted Vegan Classics 2\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5529\/13434748295_2a9286ce90.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Sticky Ass Buns by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ApiecalypseNow\" target=\"_blank\">Apiecalypse Now! Vegan Bakery<\/a><br \/>\nTimeless Tiramisu from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bellobio.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bello Bio<\/a><br \/>\nPerfectly Peachy from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pinkhartdiner.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pinkhart Diner<\/a><br \/>\nSweet n Salty Donut from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.throughbeingcoolvegan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Through Being Cool Vegan Baking Co<\/a>.<br \/>\nSammy Squirrrel\u2019s Stashed Cupcake<br \/>\nJorgen\u2019s Kransekage A traditional danish almond cookie from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vegandanishbakery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vegan Danish Bakery<\/a><\/p>\n<h6>Professionally Crafted Gluten-Free Goodies<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Professionally Crafted Gluten Free by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13435120374\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Professionally Crafted Gluten Free\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7099\/13435120374_7cd21cb8ea.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a> <strong>Winner:<\/strong>\u00a0Punkass Peppermint Nanaimo Bar by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ApiecalypseNow\" target=\"_blank\">Apiecalypse Now! Vegan Bakery<\/a> (And also won runner up best pro show)<br \/>\nBlack Bean Fudge from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.eatwhatsgood.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Eat What&#8217;s Good!<\/a><br \/>\nMint Chocolate Mixed Berry Heart Cakes.<br \/>\nChockfull of Goodness Pumpkin Pie<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.torisbakeshop.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tori&#8217;s Bakeshop<\/a>\u00a0Gin Infused Custard Fruit Tart<\/p>\n<h6>Captivating Cupcakes<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Captivating Cupcakes by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434879583\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Captivating Cupcakes\" src=\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2925\/13434879583_68307637c2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong>\u00a0Jazzberry Lemonade Cupcakes by Heather O\u2019Shea (also won Best in Show)<br \/>\nFranco\u2019s Bakery Spring Awakening.<br \/>\nCreamy Carrot Cupcakes<br \/>\nTropical Twist cupcakes<br \/>\nBeetnik (A chocolaty &amp; beet based cupcake)<\/p>\n<h6>Terrific Tarts &amp; Bars<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Terrific Tarts and Bars by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434874703\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Terrific Tarts and Bars\" src=\"https:\/\/farm3.staticflickr.com\/2897\/13434874703_189c516fec.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Vibrant Strawberry-Rhubarb Tartlet by Sumayya Desai<br \/>\nLemon Bars<br \/>\nInfiniment Caf\u00e9 Tart<br \/>\nBanana Foster Pie<br \/>\nFudgy Oatmeal Squares<\/p>\n<h6>Charming Vegan Cookie 1<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Captivating Cookies by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13439443664\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Captivating Cookies\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7100\/13439443664_5af039efb4.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong> The very delicious Snickerdoodle Sandwich Spectacular by Ashley Bratty.<br \/>\nBeetastic Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies<br \/>\nGo Fudge Yourself Oatmeal Cookies<br \/>\nBetter Than Butter Pecan Cookies<br \/>\nChocolate Chip Cookie Dough Faux-reo!<\/p>\n<h6>Chocolate Lover\u2019s Creation<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Chocolate Lover\u2019s Creation by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13439941074\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Chocolate Lover\u2019s Creation\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7056\/13439941074_fbd0d233d1.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a> <strong>Winner:<\/strong> Swirly Peanut Butter Fudge by Barbi Lazarus.<br \/>\nChocolate and Nutty Delight Balls<br \/>\nChocolate Explosion Cake Pops<br \/>\nChocolate Coconut-Cashew Verrine<br \/>\nBrindled Peek-a-boo Cupcakes<\/p>\n<h6>Coffeehouse Creations<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Coffeehouse creations by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434756445\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Coffeehouse creations\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7027\/13434756445_e9223e18af.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner:<\/strong>\u00a0Choc-LAVA by Reuben &amp; Meloni Jong. This Choc-LAVA was out of this world.<br \/>\nHandawa &#8211; It is a traditional Gujarati item from India<br \/>\nDelectable Pan-fried Apple Fritterettes<br \/>\nB-na-na Bread &#8211; Traditional banana bread with apples and walnuts.<br \/>\nTraditional Blueberry Scones &#8211; Light and fluffy sweet scones loaded with organic blueberries<\/p>\n<h2>I didn&#8217;t try these any of these<\/h2>\n<h6>Decadent Raw Dessert<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Decadent Raw Dessert - Raw Lavender Chocolate Cheesecake by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434888473\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Decadent Raw Dessert - Raw Lavender Chocolate Cheesecake\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7230\/13434888473_86ef7ec1f9.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"376\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner<\/strong>: Raw Lavender Chocolate Cheesecake by Unbaked Cake Co.<\/p>\n<h6>Gluten-Free Sweets<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Blueberry Basil Tarts in a Coconut Lemon Crust by Ashley Suave by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13435130754\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Blueberry Basil Tarts in a Coconut Lemon Crust by Ashley Suave\" src=\"https:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5448\/13435130754_39a01b7407.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><strong>Winner<\/strong>: Blueberry Basil Tarts in a Coconut Lemon Crust by Ashley Suave<\/p>\n<h6>Nutty Gluten-Free Sweet<\/h6>\n<p><strong>Winner<\/strong>: Pirate For The Sea by Makeda &amp; Abijah Jong<\/p>\n<h6>Best Presentation<\/h6>\n<p><a title=\"Peanut Butter Bliss by MeShell, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/prairiev\/13434757675\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Peanut Butter Bliss\" src=\"https:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7174\/13434757675_f2622412f1.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"376\" \/><\/a> Won by Diljot Kaur for\u00a0Peanut Butter Bliss (she also won the Best Charming Vegan Cookie for Plate 2 &#8211; which we didn&#8217;t try unfortunately.)\u00a0It was extremely eye catching, so a very well deserved win. Though I have to say Vegan Danish Bakery &amp; Tori&#8217;s Bakeshop had some extremely lovely displays as well.<\/p>\n<p>One thing me and a few friends have grumbled about about these events &#8211; every year &#8211; people seem to bring a long their fur and down filled jackets, and it seems kind of weird to do that at a &#8220;vegan bake-off.&#8221; On the bright side, \u00a0this year none of the judges were wearing fur trimmed coats &#8211; unlike last year.<\/p>\n<p>As a pal so appropriately stated &#8211; it&#8217;s not a &#8220;plant-based bake-off&#8221;. So please try and be awesome folks! If you need any more information why wearing fur is not awesome, please check out the excellent work over at the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/furbearerdefenders.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Fur-Bearer Defenders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m looking forward to the 7th Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off. Maybe a long enough time will have passed by where I think it&#8217;s a good idea for me to enter again? Only time will tell.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>What was your favourite item at the bake off?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This weekend was the 6th Annual Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake Off, and it was bigger than ever. Every year I go, I have to think about the first one I went to at\u00a0Harbourfront Community Center (the Third one.) I was so excited, since I had never been to a bake&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3070,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[356,128,256],"tags":[877,1030,680],"class_list":["post-3049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-toronto-2","category-vegan-bake-off","category-vegan-baking","tag-apiecalypse-now","tag-toris-unbaked-cake-co","tag-vegan-bake-off-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meshell.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}