Taste and Smell

The Restaurants

We have many restaurants located throughout Elora and the surrounding area, many of which are participating in Sensational Elora event. Each restaurant is filled with the aromas of their unique foods, filling the air with the scents of herbs and spices. Each restaurant will be holding a special event where participants will be able to try a variety of their meals and beverages.

Whispers Restaurant

Whispers Restaurant is where we will learn about Tarot readings and the Edible Gardens. It is also where people can enjoy the Foraging with Bling event.

Chef McLeod in Front of the Cork

At the Cork Restaurant people who wish to join can experience the sensational tastes and smells in the Fine Art of Food.

There will also be the surprise choice of 4 local pubs for the Fabulous Fergus Pub Night and 3 local restaurants for a Moveable Feast. We have yet to decide the location for the Grand Gala because the Elora Mill Inn is closed for renovations. Have you ever been to a restaurant in Fergus or Elora? What do you think of them?

Races with Taste

This Sensational event takes place at the Grand River Raceway and Slots where those who join can view live cooking demonstrations by the chef of the raceway. He will be showing many tips and tricks on how to not only make your meals look and smell good, but to taste amazing as well. Also, a few professionals from Diamonds Estates Wines and Spirits will be assisting with great meal pairing suggestions, along with sampling of the wines. Love wine? Tell us what your favourite meal and wine combination is.

Once these demonstrations come to a closure, the night continues with an intimate and interactive racing experience where you are matched with a horse in the Sensational Elora Race. You will meet your horse prior to the race during a behind-the-scenes tour of the back-stretch. After the tour, participants watch as the adrenaline pumps, nostrils flare, and horses dash around the track in a fierce race for first place. The winning horse then meets the people it was paired with in the winner’s circle and a souvenir photo is taken to show off back home.

Foraging With Bling – Food Straight From the Source

You and eight others are invited to join us for a drive around the countryside in an elegant stretch limo to savour the flavours of our rich agricultural heritage. There will be stops at various farms along the way, picking up cheese and produce, all of which will be used by the chef at Whispers in creating a bundle of vegetarian meals that will please all your senses. Once the trip has ended, you will be given a chance to change into your best apparel and return to the restaurant where your multi-course meal made from ingredients you hand-chose will be placed for you to behold. This is truly a grand experience to observe how the locals live and to enjoy what they grow.

Fabulous Fergus Pub Night

Mouth-watering experiences await you on Sensational Elora’s up-scale version of a pub-crawl. You will be led to 4 different pubs by a local bagpipe player in complete Scottish attire, while also given the opportunity to enjoy the Fergus night scenery and all it has to offer. Special four-course menus are also offered at each pub for your enjoyment. An examples of last year’s pub is the Breadalbane Inn which is located in just outside downtown Fergus

Fergus at Dusk

The Fine Art of Food

Join us at the Cork Restaurant to enjoy a journey through the world of fine food, hosted by executive chef Brian McLeod. He will enlighten you, entertain you, and of course, feed you. This is truly an engaging afternoon event that makes the senses tingle. The Cork serves mouth-watering, nose tingling, and eye-popping food that is always local and always fresh. Chef McLeod strongly believes that “[His] goal will be to support our local community and our farmers.” Do you have any food tips or tricks? Want to let the world know? post your ideas here.

A Moveable Feast

An incredible dining concept that keeps you on your toes! You will love this especially prepared three-course dinner eaten at three different restaurants. Which restaurants you may ask? We have yet to decide, but last year’s attractions were Whispers, The Elora Mill, and The Cellar. Keep in touch to find out where we will be this year. Also, costumed actors from the Older Voices Troupe will lead diners from restaurant to restaurant while performing and informing along the way. The Older Voices are a group of true historians who live and breathe factual and fascinating stories. This is truly an adventure for participants along with a perfect opportunity to experience the flavours of Elora.

The Sensational Soup-Off

On the final day of Sensational Elora, a numerous amount of local chefs, both professional and amateur, will face off by creating their best soup using as many local ingredients as they can dig up. Those wishing to participate can either sign up as a cook or as a taste tester. Those wanting to eat the soup will buy a ticket that includes the purchase of the soups and an Empty Bowl made by the students from the Make Your Own Bowl project. The testers can then taste every soup that has been made, while also listening to live entertainment. Once the soups have been tasted and the testers have voted for their favourite, the winners are crowned and granted their prizes. The testers get to keep their bowls for any more tastebud tingling adventures that may cross their paths.