Four dinners. Four themes. One unforgettable journey.
What is the Dinner Series?
Taste Ex™ isn’t just a festival, it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, flavour, and connection. This year, we’re bringing the experience to the table, literally, with the Taste Dinner Series: a collection of exclusive five-course fine dining events, each paired with an exceptional lineup of beverages curated by certified experts.
From the rustic bounty of Ontario’s farms and producers to the elegance of wine and beer in friendly rivalry, from Southern culinary indulgence to the carefree celebration of summer, each dinner tells its own story, crafted by professional chefs, producers, and beverage masters who live for flavour.
These are intimate evenings for just 50 guests, where every plate is a conversation, every glass a discovery, and every course a reminder of why we gather around food and drink in the first place.
Four nights. Five food and drink courses. Countless memories.
The Taste Dinner Series, where every sip, bite, and moment is meant to be savoured.
Market After Dark
Feb 26, 2026
Wine Vs Beer
Apr 9, 2026
Taste of Derby
May 21, 2026
Taste of Summer
Jun 25, 2026
The Market After Dark
February 26, 2026 - SOLD OUT
Time: 6PM - 9PM
The Market at Western Fair District
900 King St., London, Ontario
From land to plate. From vine to glass. From field to feast.
Few ever experience The Market like this. The Market After Dark invites guests inside after hours for an intimate opening night to the Taste Dinner Series, set high above the shops on the second floor of this historic landmark.
The evening unfolds as a guided journey. Guests are welcomed at the entrance and led upward into a warmly lit space where rustic charm meets refined culinary craft to receive their welcome signature cocktail.
At the table, five thoughtfully composed courses celebrate Ontario’s agricultural roots, crafted with ingredients sourced from nearby farms and producers. Each dish is paired with hand-selected beers and wines curated to deepen flavour and spark conversation, hosted by a certified beer cicerone. Every bite and sip tells a story—of flavour, craftsmanship, and the people behind them.
This is more than a dinner. It’s a celebration of place, community, and connection. Live music hums softly between courses, and history comes alive through guided storytelling.
Join us February 26 for an unforgettable evening where heritage, hospitality, and flavour meet—raising a glass to home, and to the stories and food that bring us together.
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The Menu for the Evening: A Guided Culinary Journey
Five courses inspired by Ontario’s seasonal ingredients, each thoughtfully complemented with palate-perfect drinks artfully paired to elevate every bite. Your pairings will be guided by Stephen Rich, Brewmaster & Certified Cicerone - a rare opportunity to explore flavour like a true insider.
First Course: Amuse-bouche
Whipped brie and cranberry in pistachio filo cup topped with honeycomb and candied lavender flower
Second Course: Rarebit
Cheddar and ale soup topped with a cheddar crisp
Served with house made French loaf
Third Course: Palette Cleanser
Ontario Sparkling Sorbet
Main Course:
King Cole roasted duck breast, drizzled with blueberry ice wine sauce
Served with lemon and orange fingerling potatoes, sun root artichoke puree and heirloom carrots.
Dessert- Trio plate:
Pumpkin crème Brulé with maple sugar
Savory Cheese
Maple sweet potato tart
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A Piece of London’s History
Built in 1927, the Confederation Building began as a place for local merchants to sell a diversity of wares. Today, the Confederation building is home to The Market.
About the Market
Located in the heart of Old East Village, the Market is home to 100+ shops. The first floor is home to a wide range of produce, baked goods, butchers, artisans foods, cheeses, prepared foods and more! While the second floor features the best and most unique craftspeople, artists and artisans, together with an eclectic roster of distinctive and locally handcrafted products, fine jewellery, collectibles and one-of-a-kind services.
The Market at Western Fair District is a popular destination for chefs, cooks and local gastronomes in search of a wide variety of artisanal products and seasonal ingredients.
Market-goers love they can buy high-quality; farm-fresh goods directly from the person who produced them and can find unique products they won’t discover anywhere else in the city.
Open year-round, Saturdays 8:00AM-3:00PM & Sundays 10:00AM-2:00PMWhy We Do What We Do
The Market at Western Fair District is a mission-driven best-in-class market, innovative business incubator, welcoming gathering place, and weekly community tradition. We support the local economy by promoting and creating healthy food networks and a place for local artisans to showcase and sell their work. Our aim is to engage entrepreneurs and producers that have a social mission and tap into the movement of revolutionizing retail – people dedicated to sourcing quality, ethical, healthy food and concerned about where it originates.
beer Vs wine
April 9, 2026 - ON SALE NOW
Time: 6PM - 9PM
Deke’s Restaurant, located in Sports Centre at Western Fair District
865 Florence St. , London, Ontario
Glasses up. Palates ready. It’s time for the ultimate face-off.
On April 9, the Beer vs. Wine Dinner drops the puck on one of the world’s greatest flavour rivalries. Set high above the ice at Deke’s in the Sports Centre, this four-course culinary match brings two masters of the craft head-to-head: Certified Beer Cicerone Stephen Rich and Certified Sommelier Jesse Fenn of The London Club.
Each course hits the table with two contenders—a carefully selected beer and an expertly paired wine—each battling for the top spot on your scorecard. One might bring bold hops and unexpected contrast, while the other delivers elegance, balance, and layered aromas. The question is simple: which pairing wins the round?
Expect lively banter, playful rivalry, and plenty of surprising moments as our two experts make their case for the perfect match. With every course, the competition heats up and the decision becomes tougher.
You’re not just a guest—you’re part of the judging panel.
So pick your side, raise your glass, and get ready for a night of flavour, fun, and friendly competition.
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(Each of the courses will be expertly paired with a beer and a wine)
First Course
Cilantro Lime Scallop Crudo, Pickled Pineapple, Cilantro Oil, Crispy Jalapeno and Lime Zest
Second Course
Braised Short Rib and Confit Shallot Croquette with Roasted Garlic Puree, Tamarind Red Wine Jus garnished with Pickled Radishes and Pearl Onions
Palate Cleanser
Pineapple Ginger Sorbet
Third Course
Honey Jerk Lamb Chops served atop Sweet Potato Mash with Brown Butter and Lime with Charred Broccolini and a Plantain Chip
Dessert
Midnight Fudge Cake Coconut Crème Fraiche, Passionfruit Puree and toasted Coconut Crumb
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Deke’s Restaurant, located in the Sports Centre at Western Fair District will be transformed to host this culinary (and competitive) experience.
You’ll be overlooking the arena while participating in your own competition of beer vs wine. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for foodies that love a good battle.
Upon arrival, you will be escorted from the front doors of the Sports Centre (865 Florence St., London, Ont) to Deke’s restaurant.
FAQ’s
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$200 per person. You can buy tables for a group of 2, 4 or 6
This includes a 4-course dinner, each paired with a unique beer and wine.
The experience includes a guided drink experience with a certified beer cicerone and wine sommelier.
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The dinner will be hosted at Deke’s Bar, located in the Sports Centre at Western Fair District. The bar overlooks the rink, adding to the competitive hockey theme of the night.
The Sports Centre is located at 865 Florence street.
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Yes there is free parking near the Sports Centre at Western Fair District located at 865 Florence street, London, Ontario.
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Although there's not a dress code, we recommend that you dress wear business casual
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Stephen Rich who is a certified cicerone and brewmaster will guide you through your beer tastings.
Jesse Fenn, certified wine sommelier from The London Club will guide you through your wine tasting experience.
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Drinks are sourced locally, but our host will be able to let you know where to buy the wines or beers you liked.
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Individual purchases will be placed at tables, but you can ask to be moved to be seated closer to your friends at the event.
The best way to ensure you sit with your friends is to purchase a table of 2, 4 or 6.
Taste of the derby
May 21, 2026
Hats on. Spirits high. Southern charm in every glass.
The Derby dinner gallops into Taste Dinner Series with five courses inspired by the flavours, festivities, and flair of the South. Think slow-roasted indulgence, rich textures, and bright, bold cocktails that make the night sing.
Begin with a toast, perhaps a crisp beer or a refined wine, before moving into the heart of Derby Day with one exquisite spirit and two handcrafted cocktails that capture the essence of the races: whisky, mint, sugar, smoke, and sunshine.
Every course is a nod to celebration and tradition, blending the elegance of fine dining with the festive energy of race day. Guests are encouraged to dress the part; floral dresses, bow ties, and wide-brimmed hats welcome.
Join us May 21 for a dinner that’s equal parts sophistication and spectacle; a Derby Day soirée where the food is decadent, the drinks are daring, and the company is simply unforgettable.
summer party
June 25, 2026
Warm nights. Cold drinks. Endless laughter.
The Summer Party Dinner closes out the Taste Dinner Series with the kind of energy only summer can bring; a vibrant, sun-kissed celebration of flavour, friendship, and fresh beginnings.
A five-course menu bursting with seasonal ingredients; bright, colourful, and perfectly paired with two beers, two wines, and two handcrafted cocktails designed to complement the mood of the evening.
Every course is light, refreshing, and full of surprises, moving from delicate coastal flavours to bold summer classics. The atmosphere? Relaxed, radiant, and ready to toast to the season ahead.
Whether you come for the food, the drinks, or the company, this is the kind of evening that reminds you why summer is meant to be shared.
Join us June 25 for the Taste Dinner Series Summer Party—a celebration of taste, sunshine, and the simple joy of gathering around a table one more time.