Few sweet treats can spark as much debate as Canada’s beloved baked butter tart. In fact, Ontarians are so passionate about their butter tarts that communities and culinary experts have come together to name June “National Butter Tart Month.” Whether you like your tarts runny, firm, flaky or raisin-free, you’re bound to find one that will meet your standards in Midland, Ontario, this month.
The Simcoe County town will host the second annual Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival and Contest along King Street on Saturday June 14, 2014 (which also happens to be Father’s Day weekend). More than 50,000 tarts will be on hand, baked by a mix of amateur and pro pastry chefs from across the province.
Cottagers and butter tart connoisseurs are invited to sharpen their sweet tooth and pick their favourites, but Ontario’s “best butter tart” will be selected by panel of judges, including celebrity chef Trish Magwood. Last year, Barrie resident Nancy Dillen’s gooey, pecan-filled tart beat 80 others and claimed the contest’s top prize.
According to the festival website, the butter tart actually has roots in Simcoe County, with the earliest-known published recipe originating in the Barrie area.
For more information and directions to the festival, go to buttertartfestival.ca.
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