One-Tank Trip for May 3/14 (c) By Jim Fox Food trucks are invading Ontario’s Wine Country for the upcoming sip-and-savour holiday weekend. Peller Estates Winery is inviting wine and food aficionados to “kick off your summer” at the ultimate backyard bash. Called “Food Truck Eats,” 20 mobile eateries from Canada and the U.S. will be rolling into scenic wine country from May 16 to 18 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There will be plenty of good ‘eats’ and drinks at a food truck party at Peller Estates Winery. “This year’s exciting three-day event will begin with an exclusive adult-only night market Friday night,” said Katie Mueller, Peller Estates’ communications specialist. For this third-annual event, it has grown to a long-weekend activity that should mean “crowds will be significantly smaller, giving guests more opportunities to enjoy the food, wine and entertainment,” she said. Along with “gourmet” food trucks and their diverse and savoury flavours, Peller Estates will provide a selection of its top-selling wines at this ultimate food truck event. There will also be DJs and bands providing music throughout the weekend. “There is no better way to kick off the trucking season than with great food, great people and great wine,” said Adam Hynam-Smith of Niagara-based El Gastronomo Vagabundo (Gourmet Vagabond) food truck. It’s something not to be missed as the craze for these gastronomic treats make this party “the best food truck event in Canada,” he said. Here’s the lineup of the other trucks: Bestia; Buster’s Sea Cove; Cafe du Monde Creperie; Chang Noi Enroute; Curbalicious; Curbside Bliss Cupcakes; Dirty South; Dobro Jesti; Feisty Jack; Food Dudes; Frankie Fettuccine; Gorilla Cheese; Itty Bitty Pie Company; Luchador Streatery; Randy’s Roti; Rome’n Chariot; Tide & Vine Oyster Company; West of Seoul; and Wickedly Sinful. Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake hosts “Food Truck Eats” on the May holiday weekend. On Saturday, May 17, there will be a day market with three bands performing and children are welcome to attend. The night market, with entertainment by DJs, is on May 16 and 18 for ages 19 and older only. Event hours are May 16 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; May 17, noon to 6 p.m.; and May 18, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Food Truck Eats happens rain or shine and visitors are asked not to bring chairs, alcohol or pets. Parking is available at The Common, which is across from Peller Estates Winery at 290 John St. E. in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Tickets are $15and include a glass of wine and souvenir glass, with food and additional wine available for purchase. Children’s tickets for May 17 are $5 for ages two to 18 and include a non-alcoholic beverage with a souvenir glass. peller.com; 1-888-673-5537, Ext. 2 Happening now The Niagara Food &Wine Expo, the area’s largest international tasting event, is on this weekend and includes food trucks. Held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre (6815 Stanley Ave.) in Niagara Falls, it is showcasing world-class winemakers, brewmasters and mixologists along with local cuisine and “sip and learn” sessions on the tasting stage, said publicist Stephen Murdoch. There’s a large selection of craft beers from Creemore Springs; Double Trouble Brewing; Flying Monkey; Highlander Brew Co.; Lake of Bays Brewery; Niagara College Brewery; Waterloo Brewing Co.; and others. “Craft beer is exploding in popularity throughout North America, so we put a huge focus on getting the hottest microbrews from Ontario at this year’s expo,” said Jennifer Campbell, show manager. “In addition to the awesome craft brewers, we are welcoming tons of new exhibitors including wineries, distillers and restaurants,” she added. Among the wineries taking part are GreenLane Estate Winery; Hernder Estate Winery; Pelee Island Winery; Pondview Estate Winery; and Rockway Vineyards. Show hours are today (May 3) from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Admission is $15, with “sample tickets” for drinks and food costing $1 each. NiagaraFoodandWineExpo.ca -30- Jim Fox can be reached at [email protected] For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca