Quintessential Canadian treat takes spotlight at London butter tart festival
Tens of thousands of butter tarts were sold during the two-day event, organizer estimates
A former department store was transformed into a butter tart lover's paradise at London's Westmount Shopping Centre over the weekend.
The iconic Canadian dessert was the star of the show as the Great Canadian Butter Tart Festival set up shop in London for the first time.
Tens of thousands of butter tarts were up for grabs from 25 bakers hailing from the London and St. Thomas area, and across southern Ontario.
"London has been begging for a butter tart fest," said Christine Ivany, owner of All Canadian Events, the organizer. "This particular event will probably sell about 75,000 butter tarts."
A former optician turned event planner, Ivany launched the butter tart festival nine years ago in Paris, Ont., where it draws up to 175,000 visitors, she said. Festivals have also been held in Fergus, Niagara, and Orangeville.
For the London event, which included dozens of other vendors and artisans, Ivany said her company found an ideal space in the upper floor of the former Sears store, which closed in January 2018.
Asked what it was that made butter tarts worthy of their own festival, she countered with a laugh, "Have you ever had a butter tart? It kind of speaks for itself. The butter tart is the Canadian dessert."
Jamie Howe of Tart Boss was among those who travelled far for the festival, driving from Quinte West, about 65 kilometres southeast of Peterborough.
The family-run operation began three years ago, he said. "It was just our passion for butter tarts. The Canadiana, the tradition of it. We always had them growing up."
"You can't get them down there," he said, referring to the U.S. "It's just not something that resonates with them. It's kind of nice to have one of these delicious little things, just for us."
Ivany estimates roughly 10,000 people attended the event, including some Americans. It comes as Canadian patriotism is at an all-time high, driven by threats of tariffs and annexation from U.S. President Donald Trump.
'Buy Canadian' campaigns have sprung up across the country in response, as Canadians urge fellow Canucks to avoid American goods. It's a spirit Ivany said she found in many attendees.
"I have had a lot of people who came in ... the comments were, 'We're here to support Canada, and at the same time we're getting our favourite treats,'" she said.
Those who love butter tarts are likely to have their own preference when it comes to how runny or firm the filling should be, or whether raisins should be added or kept as far away as possible. (That question is liable to kickstart a lively debate.)
Luckily for those visiting, the wide selection available through the various bakers meant there was something for everyone. Several bakers CBC News spoke with indicated their butter tarts were made using family recipes.
"My favourite butter tart is a raisin butter tart," said Stephanie Wullms, founder of London-based Purple Lips Bakery. "I'm one of those people that likes raisins."
Speaking midday Sunday, Wullms had already sold upwards of 1,500 butter tarts, in addition to other baked goods, like fruit tarts.
Nearby, Aaron Haddad was helping sell butter tarts for Doo Doo's Bakery, a business founded by his mother, Diane Rogers, in Bailieboro.
Haddad has helped make butter tarts for as long as he can remember, describing them as a Canadian culinary staple. He estimates they brought roughly 2,200 to sell.
"It's a labour-intensive job and takes a lot of work to get these butter tarts made," he said. "My favourite would be the pecan, they're pretty good. It's like, basically, a mini pecan pie. They're really good with ice cream."
Across from Haddad, Tabetha Cundick of Bake My Day was beginning the tear down process, having sold more than 400 six-packs of butter tarts.
Cundick, based out of St. Jacob's Market, said she and her husband sold out within three hours on Saturday, and baked until midnight for Sunday.
Salted caramel was the top seller, she said.
"My award winner's Turtles, but my personal favourite's, Oh Henry!" she said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
