Oakville Place Mall was transformed into a sugary paradise yesterday (Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025) as the annual Oakville Butter Tart Festival took centre stage.
This year's festival drew in a surprisingly large crowd in comparison to last year, according to vendors, with hundreds of people lining up to indulge in the Canadian treat.
"It's great to see so many people come back out again," said Helen Prucha, organizer of the festival and owner of Gotta Luv Butter Tarts.
"I think people needed a pick-me-up," she said in relation to the ongoing news surrounding the potential tariff threats imposed by USA and Canada. "Yes, there's a lot of uncertainty, but you know what? There's a lot people here supporting local Canadian businesses and I think that's awesome."
Vendors from across Ontario set up shop on the mall’s lower level, offering their own takes on the buttery pastry. Some stuck to the classics, while others experimented with unique flavours and textures.
Capital B Cafe, for instance, creates a salted caramel butter tart that is made with a homemade caramel. The Oakville-based catering company, which originally started as a cafe in Mississauga, has won three awards for the gooey, flaky pastry.
Behind Capital B Cafe is 24-year-old Nikki Ramkissoon. Being one of the youngest vendors at the event, Ramkissoon is appreciative of the other vendors. "We're a little community, which I absolutely love," she said. "It's phenomenal having mentors showing me the steps and the notes."
Omi's Sweet n Treats is an Etobicoke-based catering company that also excels in offering creative versions of the popular dessert. Its owner, Omila Tickeram, gets creative with flavour profiles. Tarts made with Turtles chocolate (which she says is the most popular with customers), maple syrup and bacon, strawberry chocolate truffle, and chocolate peanut butter are just some of the many options that she makes. The flavours came from her initial love for baking cakes for her kids, as she never liked the store-bought versions.
"It's usually the same flavours: plain or raisin," Tickeram said of the butter tart. "I've never been a plain type of person, even when it came to my cakes."
Having almost sold out her butter tarts in nearly three hours, she believes the high turnout at this year’s festival reflects a growing appreciation for Canadian, homemade goods.
"Everything I do is [made by] hand. We try to do local ingredients and to support Canada right now," she said. "I think that's what we're seeing right now."