2015 Chinese New Year's Sights & Sounds

Pssst! Can you hear it? What’s that racket? 

Click here to hear 6 seconds of exciting Chinese New Year
sights & sounds captured on Instagram
(Note: click same image and then click PLAY button)

Isn't it exciting to hear these wonderful sounds and view some of the dazzling sights that are signs of the fast approaching 15-day Chinese New Year’s festivities?

Happy New Year!

Gung Hei Fatt Choi  in Cantonese or ....

Gong Xi Fa Cai  in Mandarin or ....

Chuc Mung Nam Mui  in Vietnamese!

Each of these Asian New Year’s greetings are some more unique signs of the fast approaching 15-day festival to end all festivals. If you count the preparatory week prior, it gets even more  exciting and gives more reasons to rejoice!  Celebrate the Year of the Goat/Ram/Sheep with Culinary Historian, Guide & Founder, Shirley Lum of A Taste of the World while peeling back the layers of history in Toronto’s second Chinatown on intimate food tours and/or hosted multi-course banquet. You will experience equal portions of food-for-thought, palate and full-sensory experiences as Shirley shares old and new customs, traditions, and superstitions behind the festive food and drinks!  We can’t wait to share these amazing rich experiences with long-time locals, newcomers and visitors who have three exciting weeks to immerse themselves in this festival. 

Folks who love the thrill of going behind-the-scenes to better understand the food preparations and decorations for the festivities,  will absolutely want to join us on the Prep Tour scheduled for February 15th, 2015. People who want to see the curtains go up, will love the Lion Dance Celebrations the weekend on February 21st & 22nd; and then there’s the grand finale, the Lantern Festival, on February 28th, 2015.  If you’ve done our tours, you’ll want to come back for our 8th annual 12-course banquet. This year is even more special, as one lucky person’s spot will be sponsored by Karim Bhaloo of Dominion Lending Centres - Edge Financial! 

The Asian and/or Chinese New Year’s Eve will be on Wednesday February 18th, 2015. I can’t believe how fast the Year of the Horse has galloped by, and the Year of the Wooden Goat/Ram/Sheep is about to trot in on Thursday February 19th, 2015! 

 Can you smell the heady aromas of festive pastries at the bakeries and grocery stores? Are your eyes getting blinded by the array of red and gold trinkets? 

Here are more details to get you excited! 

18th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Food Tours (3 unique periods/ways to immerse oneself):

(A) Preparations for Chinese New Year’s Eve Tour:

 Sunday February 15, 2015 10:00 am - 1:00pm 

Enjoy equal portions of food for thought and palate over hosted dim sum aka Cantonese brunch! Culinary historian Shirley will review chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes over Chinese horoscope book for Year of the Goat and sampling dishes of varying flavour, aromas and textures. Bring along eco-bags for anticipated shopping as you enjoy the Asian grocery store, bakery and  to pick-up ingredients to prep in cooking/decorating restaurant supply store for essential decorations & replenish pantry; bakery for symbolic pastries) 

Fees (include food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00 

(B) Lion Dance Celebration of the Year of the Goat Food Tours

Saturday & Sunday February 21, 22, 2015  10:00 am -1:00 pm

 Over hosted dim sum aka Chinese brunch, culinary historian Shirley Lum will share the interesting history and uses of the Lion Dances and give pointers for fabulous photographs on the streets.  Bring along eco-shopping bags for anticipated shopping as we taste along Asian grocery store tour to pick-up ingredients to cook/decorate/to be gifted; and enjoy bakery tastings of symbolic pastries.  
NOTE: Do NOT eat prior to the tour.  
Tour Capacity:  11 spots per tour

Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $35.00 

(C) Lantern Festival Food Tour aka Grand finale of 15-day CNY festivities

Saturday February 28, 2015 10:00 am - 1:00pm 

Over hosted dim sum aka Chinese brunch, culinary historian Shirley Lum will share the interesting history and uses
of all those pretty lanterns as the 15-day festivities wraps up. Find out what the Year of Goat/Ram/Sheep will bring for your Chinese animal sign over a delicious yet healthy brunch. Bring along an eco-bag for anticipated shopping as we pop into an Asian grocery store, bakery and BBQ shops along the tour to pick up ingredients to cook/decorate for the Lantern Festival.  NOTE: Do NOT eat prior to the tour.  

Tour Capacity:  11 spots per tour

Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $50.00 SR/ST (ID)$45.00 Child (3-12 yrs old) $35.00 

8th Annual Chinese New Year Banquet (12-course)

Friday February 20th, 2015  6:00- 8:00pm  

Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant, Toronto

Fees: $60.00 per person (4 spots left as of February 14th)

Pre-Registration  info@torontowalksbikes.com  or call (416) 923-6813

  ~  MENU ~ 

* Crab Meat & Fish Soup

* Sauteed Jumbo Shrimps on a lush bed of lettuce

* Phoenix Nest with Seafood Medley & Vegetables 

* Whole Crispy Chicken with flavoured Salt/pepper + Crunchy Shrimp Chips 

* Pork Chops with House BBQ sauce on Sizzling Platter

* Four Treasure Braised Vegetables

* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion & Garlic

* Whole Steamed Fish 

* E-Mein Longevity Noodles

* Yeungchow Fried Rice 

* Sweet Dessert Soup

* Chocolate creation by Shirley aka @SChocolateMagic

Thank you Karim Bhaloo of Dominion Lending Centres - Edge Financial 
for generously sponsoring one lucky guest's dinner spot ! 

Join us in welcoming in the Year of the Goat/Ram/Sheep 
& 
Savouring the unique flavours of Chinese New Year! 


Pre-Register Your Spot(s) Now 
(416) 923-6813 info@torontowalksbikes.com