The Great Canadian Bacon Festival - Arva Flour Mill

Today was a picture-perfect Canada Day. It was sunny and warm outside and we were able to celebrate Canada's birthday enjoying pork and bacon at the Great Canadian Bacon Festival. I was in great company too. I met up with my friend Kelly from http://www.eatlocallondon.com/ who originally let me know about the event.

The festival, put on by Sarah Reynolds was held at the Arva Flour Mill. Even though this was a new event, the turnout was huge. Just look at the picture below. This was the line-up for pulled pork sandwiches. Along with the sandwiches they were giving customers cupcakes with bacon sprinkles. I didn't get a chance to try one but my daughter said that it was very yummy.

The Whole Pig from Dashwood, Ontario (near Grand Bend - http://www.thewholepig.ca/) was also on site with samples and had some of their pork for sale. The big draw to their table, however, was their Spiced Twisted Bacon. I had one and it was delicious! Luckily they were giving away the recipe so I'll be making some of these next time we have guests over for breakfast.

Here is the recipe:

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• dash cayenne pepper
• 10 center-cut bacon strips

Combine the first 5 ingredients; rub over bacon on both sides. Twist bacon; place on a rack in a baking dish. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until firm.

Other items I found were bacon salt, bacon-flavored toothpicks and bacon cheese buns. Although the toothpicks were pretty cool I bought some of the buns instead. They will be great for the picnic lunch I'll be packing for our trip to the beach tomorrow.

Apparently, there was also supposed to be bacon coffee, pork dumplings, a whole roast pig, peameal on a bun, bacon chocolate and vegetarian options but I did not see these. I think that because this was the first time for this event a few things likely didn't make it. Next year I suppose...

I was happy that the event occurred at the Arva Flour Mill. It's been a long time coming I think. I absolutely love the mill and was so excited to see so many people visiting it today. I overheard many people talking about how they'd never been to the mill and that they had no idea it was there or what they were about. I'm sure many people will be making a return trip to buy their flours and grains going forward.

The proceeds from the event's entry fee are going towards a restoration project at the mill. I've blogged about the mill before (see: Arva Flour Mill) and couldn't imagine what else they could do to improve on it. I assume it'll be to replace some of the behind-the-scenes machinery that they use to mill the flour and to the building itself.

Other news from the mill that I found out today is that beginning in September they'll now be open on Sundays from 11-4. How exciting! Also, in case you weren't aware, they also carry many gluten-free pastas and flours/grains.

For more information about the Arva Flour Mill and its products check out their website at http://www.arvaflourmill.com/ or better yet, just pay them a visit. You won't regret it; although you'll have to wait until next year for some bacon.