A first-of-its-kind event in Chatham-Kent is being hailed a huge success.
Over 3000 people attended the inaugural Tart and Soul Butter Tart Festival at the Sons of Kent Brewing Company on Saturday, sampling everything from gooey classics to outrageous mashups, including bacon-infused butter tarts.
Organizers say attendees came from Windsor to Toronto and beyond.
“We knew people loved butter tarts—but the turnout and support absolutely blew us away,” said Doug Robbins, festival founder. “We had folks drive in from hours away just to get a taste. Chatham really showed up, and so did the rest of Ontario!”
Various awards were handed out with a blind-taste competition and public vote, including People’s Choice Award, Best Judged Butter Tart, and Best Specialty Butter Tart, all of which went to Bomb Bish Bakery from Welland. The Home Baker’s Best Butter Tart award was won by the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum.
Plans are already in the works for the second annual event next summer.
