Dessertfest is North America’s largest desert festival. Lasting 3 days, from June 9-11th the festival had over 50 vendors where you could try a huge range of sweet desserts. This year the theme was the most unique dessert with $10,000 in prizes up for grabs.
The festival was well designed for foodies and families to keep everyone entertained. Aside from the tasty Ottawa dessert vendors, there was a photo booth station from Sweetapolita, bouncy play structures for the kids, and an area to meet a variety of animals provided by The Keepers.
This year in no particular order my top 20 vendors at Dessertfest were the following:
Donut Rain On My Parade
Alecia from Donut Rain On My Parade made my personal favorite dessert at Dessertfest A Maple Splash Poutine which I have to admit I was a bit terrified about what it would taste like. Yet after one bite I quickly discovered it was brilliantly done, and so Canadian too! I also loved the small mini donuts too, I’m sure I’ll be stopping by their food truck someday soon.
Leah The Baker
Leah The Baker was a true delight and she offered a variety of cookies including Dutch stroopwafels and cute cookie pops.
Delightful Tastes
Delightful Tastes was the round 4 winner for the most unique dessert in Ottawa contest. They had a wide selection of cake pops, cupcakes, cookies and cakes in a pot, all the desserts being 100% nut-free.
La Catrina Churros Dessert Bar
La Catrina Churros Dessert Bar is a new restaurant in Ottawa that makes churros which you can various toppings on. At Dessertfest you could get churro bites, or churros topped with dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, vanilla sauce, key lime sauce, almonds, coconut or sprinkles.
If you haven’t already make sure to check out my review of La Catrina Churros Dessert Bar.
Pete’s Gluten Free
Pete’s Gluten Free was another happy discovery! With so many of my friends and family being vegan or need gluten-free food I’m always looking for delicious options to serve them. I couldn’t get over how moist the vegan and gluten-free carrot cake was, so I ended up picking up an entire cake to share with my family!
READ MORE: Order Custom Sugar Cookies At Sweet Livvy
Uji Cafe
Uji Cafe became one my favorite dessert shops in Ottawa the moment it opened as I adore Japanese desserts as they are less sweet compared to traditional North American sweets. At Dessertfest Uji Cafe was serving their mcrepe cake and light and airy cheesecake.
Read my entire review of Uji Cafe.
Art Is In Bakery
Art Is In is another one of my long time favorites, in especially love their kronut and roasted garlic and rosemary sourdough bread. At this event, they had a passion berliner and a kronut topped with salted dark chocolate, popcorn, ice cream and brown butter. The kronut dessert won round 1 for the most unique dessert in Ottawa.
My Catering Group
There is nothing like some liquid nitrogen to make a big impact and My Catering Group used dry ice fabulously at their station. There were liquid nitrogen ice cream sandwiches and a variety of cocktails available.
Related: Make Your Own Donuts At Maverick’s Donuts
Le Cordon Bleu
Le Cordon Bleu had a beautiful display of multi-tiered cakes and French macarons.
La Maison Du Kouign-Amann
La Maison Du Kouign-Amann had a huge spread of cookies, loaves, tarts and buttery pastries.
Nutty Greek Bake Shop
The Nutty Greek Bake Shop had plenty of affordable desserts from Greek baklava to mini cupcakes to try.
Bakery Baby
Bakery Baby‘s mini gimme s’mores cakes were absolutely beautiful and tasted just like smores around the campfire.
Kenzie Cakes
From Kenzie Cakes, I tried both the Beavertail cupcake and poutine cupcake which were so perfectly Canadiana. I found the mini poutine cupcake (it just looks like a poutine) to be especially cute.
Cupcake Lounge
Made with all natural ingredients The Cupcake Lounge had plenty of mini cupcakes to pick from including, vanilla, red velvet, chocolate, cookie dough, raspberry, chocolate peanut butter, strawberry, lemon coconut, chocolate chip peanut butter, chocolate coconut, and banana!
Sweet Teeth
Sweet Tooth quickly sold me on their flavor packed organic coconut milk frozen confection, it was divine.
Delicious Sublimes
Delices Sublimes offered healthier desserts that are low in sugar and fat, and contain vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
Sweet Secrets
Sweet Secrets Ottawa was serving unicorn cake, fudge cheesecake and salted caramel cheesecake in pretty parfait bowls.
Bisou Chocolates & Dates
Bisou Chocolates & Dates had a beautiful spread of chocolate date truffles which are dates covered in chocolate with a variety of toppings.
Mini Puffs
Mini Puffs which is part of Carla’s Cakes served mini pancakes topped with Nutella for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Yum Sweet Yum
Yum Sweet Yum won me over with their super moist unicorn cake pops, but there was also unicorn cookies, cupcakes and cakes available too!
Final Verdict
If you haven’t already gone to Dessertfest there is still one day left! I had an amazing time, and I’m excited to return next year as I love food festivals.