TUM (TORONTO UNDERGROUND MARKET) IS YUM.

I have been meaning to hit up a TUM event for about a year now.  For some reason it never worked out in my schedule, and I sadly watched the events pass me by over the summer.  But when I make something happen I really go for it, so of course the first TUM event that I attended was their two year anniversary party last Saturday.

TUM describes themselves on their website as "Canada's first and only social food market design to give budding food entrepreneurs, chefs and home cooks a platform to test new food ideas to an eager market".  What that means, is that you can attend a TUM event and eat lots of amazing foods.  The best part about it all, is that you can taste and try as many different flavours as you want, from as many different vendors as you want.  Items are served tapas style and sold per portion, so all you have to do is wander around and spend a few bucks on whatever snack looks tastiest to you.  Not to mention, wine, beer, and cocktails.  I'm telling you this is good!

All you have to do is buy tickets in advance, and head over to the Evergreen Brickworks at the appointed time.  Okay, the tickets weren't cheap at about $25 per person, but I think it's worth it when you compare what you would spend on a typical dinner out in Toronto.

The event that we attended was a night event so you could show up anything between 5 and 10pm.  The event space has the awesome vintage feel of the old brickworks, plus some colourful graffiti that seems to fit in with the vibe somehow.  There is a large hall of vendors covered with a roof and a few brick walls, but otherwise open to the cool night air.  Parallel to that is a courtyard set up with a few individual cafe tables as well as some large picnic tables.  Everyone is sharing space, behaving like the open and friendly individuals we all know we can be, but sometimes forget in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Food vendors included everything from my resto favourite La Carnita, to previously unknown to me yummies like Babi & Co.  About thirty vendors in total, with maybe four or five of those selling beer, wine, or liquor meant that there was lot's of choice.  Even sticking to my gluten free diet I definitely filled up, although I was supremely jealous of my boyfriends deep fried, cheesy and meaty stuffed rice balls from ME.N.U.

But, no matter.  I had an excellent arepa stuffed with guac, chicken and cheese from Mango Pinton, a cone of crispy and flavourful frites from Jamie Kennedy's stall, pork skewers with pickled cucumbers from Babi & Co., and these amazing, fall off the bone pork ribs covered in crema from La Carnita.  I also indulged in a nice glass of red, and then a fancy tequila cocktail from the Tromba Tequila Bar that was sweetened with agave, and flavoured with a few different herbs (this was after the glass of wine and the food, so my memory is failing me on the details).

Biggest surprise of the night?  The skull shaped chocolates to die for from Laura Slack.  I tried one called "Letstat" which was black garlic infused caramel covered with dark chocolate.  I have no words.  Just, truly, perfect.  I knew I wanted to try the garlic flavour but I wasn't convinced it would be worth it...oh but it was.  It's a roasted garlic infusion so you have all the sweetness and flavour without the bite.  Paired with the caramel and chocolate, it was subtle perfection.  I am definitely going to find these chocolates and eat them again.

The best part was that everyone was just having such a great time.  That pesky entrance fee I mentioned?  That actually keeps it from becoming an overcrowded, dirty, unenjoyable mess that many of the typical street festivals have become.  The curated food list ensures not only that everything you eat tastes amazing, but also that the people there are appreciating it.  Lines were short, staff was clearly enjoying every moment of the cooking and serving of their food, and customers were eating, drinking, and laughing.  Overall, a really great Saturday night.