There has been a sweet turnout so far today in downtown Barrie, as the ancestral birthplace of the butter tart is hosting its inaugural Butter Tart Festival.
The event features more than 75 butter tart makers, bakers, and a variety of craft and retail vendors.
The event includes award-winning bakeries from across Ontario, such as Doo Doo’s, based in Bailieboro, south of Peterborough.
Diane Rogers, the owner and operator of the tart business for 26 years, loved the early turnout.
“It’s huge. I didn’t think it was going to be this huge,” she said. “We brought 200 dozen. I wish I had brought 600.”
She was hoping the supply lasted until at least lunchtime.
Doo Doo’s has been a butter tart champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, and also won the Midland festival’s Ontario’s Best Butter Tart award four times.
So, what makes a championship butter tart?
“A nice crust that melts in your mouth, with a nice crust-to-filling ratio,” said Rogers, “and a not-so-sweet filling. I hate it when I get a butter tart and there’s a big lump of dough — we call them club tarts. Ours are hand spun in there.”
Doo Doo’s secret to success is to not overmix the dough.
“We roll it out once, twice, and that’s it,” said Rogers.
As for the age-old conflict over whether raisins should be allowed in butter tarts?
“I’m team no raisin. I like my raisins in oatmeal cookies,” Rogers said with hesitation.
Local radio personality Amy Oust was on hand as one of the judges for the competition.
“I like a good, runny filling and a flaky crust,” she explained of her winning points prior to judging.
Oust thinks it will be tough choosing a clear winner.
“After walking around and seeing all of the butter tarts around here, it’s going to be a tough one today. I’m here for the challenge, though,” she said.
Presented by Gotta Luv Butter Tarts, in collaboration with the Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Area, the Butter Tart Festival aimed to transform Dunlop Street East and Meridian Place into a dessert lover’s paradise, which appeared to be quite successful, with crowds and long lineups at vendor booths.
The festival runs until 4 p.m. today.
There will also be live music at 7 p.m. with a performance by critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot at Meridian Place.
Admission is free, “making it a perfect outing for families and friends,” according to organizers.
Meanwhile, Jerry from Barrie was just finishing off a pecan tart, which he said was “very good,” when he was asked his opinion about butter tarts.
He prefers homemade ones, not the store-bought type.
And, unlike Rogers, he likes raisins in his butter tarts.
Will he go back for more?
“No. That’s my one tart for probably months,” he said.