The CNE has revealed some of the most unique food items available this year. Take a closer look
Toronto's beloved annual fair is touting a lineup of fresh, fried and funky foods ahead of the kickoff of its 146th year. Set to open on Friday, the Canadian National Exhibition will have wacky food offerings ranging from deep-fried watermelon to butter ice cream.
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CNE food The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) held its media preview day in Toronto on Wednesday and showcased a handful of weird and wacky food, as well as classics like funnel cake, that visitors to the annual event can try. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food The annual festival is known for its unique food that fuses together flavours from different culinary cultures, providing attendees with a wide array of "carnival eats" from local and international vendors. Here are some of the options being offered this year. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Chef Rick Matharu’s butter chicken and waffles are doused in hot maple syrup, marrying flavours from both Indian and Canadian cuisines. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Sweet ice cream churned with real chunks of East Coast lobster gets folded into a rich base with a hint of sea salt and spice. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food This unassuming offering combines the flavours of cinnamon-sugar churros as a crust, with pepperoni, melted mozzarella, and tomato sauce on top to make a savoury and sweet Churro Pizza. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Another sweet and savoury offering combines buttermilk fried chicken with Lotus Biscoff cookie crumbs. It gets topped off with vanilla ice cream, maple chili sauce, Biscoff cookie butter, carrots, and daikon. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food The viral dirty soda trend comes to the Ex with flavours like Root Beer, Cream, Candy Apple, Cotton Candy and Coconut Monster. Attendees can also try a Butter version, which uses butter foam instead of ice cream. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Pizza Pizza will be offering deep fried pizza slices—a cheese slice dipped in batter, rolled in a Doritos Nacho Chip crust, and served on a stick. They will also be offering Mexican Street Corn, Ultimate Dill Pickle, and Pep Squash flavoured slices. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food The BACONE is a puff pastry cone filled with Passion Flakie cream and drizzled in a maple Timbit glaze. It then gets wrapped in a spicy habanero bacon cotton candy and topped off with a butter tart. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food An unique version of the classic taco pairs a smashed beef patty with a tortilla, which is then loaded with melted cheese, pickles, and a special sauce. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Craig's Cookies has made two special offerings for CNE goers this year. One sees their signature batter stuffed with crispy chicken nuggets and served with a smoky BBQ sauce (left), while the other features a cookie wrapped in pink or blue cotton candy (right). (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Lucky Chicken is offering Chicago Mix Popcorn Chicken Tenders that are coated in a blend of sweet caramel and sharp cheddar popcorn. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Merging two Italian staples, Pizza Nova has taken a classic cheese pizza slice and topped it with savoury tomato sauce and various pasta noodles. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Panchos Bakery is serving up Rainbow Empanadas filled with a variety of stuffing options like beef, chicken, veggies, chorizo and cheese, and Hawaiian. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Glitter Teas from Yogen Fruz come in flavours of Jupiter Lavender Tea or Venus Rose Tea for a sparkling refresher option. (CTV News Toronto)
CNE food For the breakfast and dessert lovers, try two crispy hashbrown patties complete with a slab of vanilla ice cream in the middle. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food Sam’s Grill will offer a fully loaded, $55 two-foot beef hot dog complete with whatever toppings you chose. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Another feature from Sam’s Grill is the Maki Sushi Corn Dogs, which are crispy and cornmeal-battered, and topped off with spicy mayo and a soy glaze. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
CNE food Marry Me Mochi is serving up K-pop inspired beverages topped with black carbon whipped cream alongside black Oreo and pink mochi donuts. (CTV News Toronto)
CNE food Foodies can indulge on Butter Ice Cream or a Butter Tart Funnel Cake that comes topped with caramel, pecans, and powdered sugar. (CTV News Toronto)
CNE food If you're in the mood for more butter, you can test out the Butter Burger. It's a fresh grilled beef patty topped with a generous helping of—you guessed it—butter. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food If you're craving a unique corndog, one offering is stuffed with meatballs and mozzarella, served with a side of marinara. Another option for those with a sweet tooth comes with a Halal beef hot dog and mozzarella inside, and Fruity Pebble cereal and icing on the outside. (CTV News Toronto)
CNE food The social media invented Deep Fried Frozen Watermelon sees the popular summer fruit tossed in a crispy batter and then sprinkled with powdered sugar. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food A twist on the classic funnel cake, the CNE Love version is topped with matcha powder, ice cream, and a CNE logo. (CNE/Harrison Haines)
CNE food The CNE is set to open its gates at Exhibition Place on Friday, with carnival games, rides, performances and more. It will run until Sept. 1. (Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press)
