CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Saturday, June 21st • Sunday, June 22nd
Dive into the world of Indigenous cuisine with unique culinary experiences, including a VIP Culinary Ticketed Experience, local vendors, and delicious food trucks.
A Seat at the Table with North of North’s Zorga Qaunaq | Saturday: 5 PM
Join us for a powerful and memorable evening of Indigenous cuisine, culture, and conversation at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival.
The evening is hosted by CBC Ottawa Morning’s Rebecca Zandbergen, featuring a fireside chat with Zorga Qaunaq, who stars as Millie on CBC’s North of North. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner created by Mādahòkì Farm’s Executive Chef Billy Alexander, including an interactive Arctic Char Ceviche station by renowned Inuk Chef Trudy Metcalfe-Coe.
Evening dinner tickets include 3-hour reserved seating with premium views of Saturday’s vibrant programming:
Evening Schedule
5:00 PM
Fireside Chat with Zorga Qaunaq
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Grand Entry & International Competition Pow Wow
6:30–7:30 PM
Buffet Dinner Service
9:00 PM
Glow-in-the-Dark Pow Wow featuring Classic Roots
10:00 PM
Spectacular Drone Show
Indulge in Indigenous culinary excellence, be inspired by meaningful dialogue, and celebrate under the summer solstice sky.
NOTE: The general public (non buffet ticket holders) will also have an opportunity to meet Zorga and take photos this evening (exact time/ place TBD)
VIP Culinary Ticketed Experience
Watch the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival Competition Pow Wow, including GRAND ENTRY under the cover of the VIP tent. All tables have great views of the Competition Pow Wow taking place in the Grand Prix Field. Your ticket gives you access to the VIP tent on either Saturday June 21st or Sunday June 22nd from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. You may come and go from the tent, however all food and beverage must stay in the tent.
During your seating you will be able to enjoy a buffet meal prepared by Chef Billy Alexander. There will also be an interactive chef station by Chef Trudy Metcalfe Co. Chef Trudy will share her story of preparing food on the land in Qikiqtarjuaq Nunavut and the Inuit connection to the land as she prepares fresh Arctic Char Ceviche.
Saturday & Sunday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM
- Non-Alcoholic beverages will be available at 10:30 am upon your arrival.
- Enjoy Chef Trudy Metcalfe Co’s interactive chef station from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
- Watch the Pow Wow’s Grand entry at 12pm under the cover of the VIP tent.
- A buffet, prepared by Chef Billy Alexander, will be available from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.
SUMMER SOLSTICE VIP BUFFET MENU
SALADS
Rustic Potato Salad (V)
Mixed Field Green Garden Salad (V) (GF) (DF)
Three Sisters’ Salad w/ Maple Dijon Vinaigrette (V) (GF) (DF)
SMALL BITES
Vegetable Crudités Platter w/ Herb Dip (V) (GF)
Fresh Baked Bannock, Honey Cornbread w/ Assorted Jams & Butters (V)
MAINS & SIDES
Arctic Char Ceviche (Chef Station) (GF) (DF) (P)
Wild Garlic Mashed Potatoes (V) (GF)
Roasted Garden Vegetable & Bean Medley (V) (GF) (DF)
Wild Game Sausage & Pepper Bites w/ Ginger Wild Berry Sauce (GF) (DF)
Fire Roasted Smoked Maple Salmon Topped w/ Blueberry Sweet Grass Sauce (GF) (DF) (P)
Baked Ground Venison Pasta w/ Roasted Tomato Sauce & 3 Baked Cheeses
Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli w/ Brown Sugar Cream Sauce (V)
SWEET TREATS
Fresh Fruit Platter (V) (GF) (DF)
Assorted Baked Cooke Platter (V)
Chefs’ Choice Assorted Dessert Squares, Pies, Cakes & Loaves
BEVERAGES
Strawberry Juice (V) (GF) (DF)
Blueberry Lemonade (V) (GF) (DF)
Water (V) (GF) (DF)
SPECIALTY KIDS BUFFET ADDITIONS
Only Kids ages 1-10 are permitted to eat from both the kids buffet & adult buffet
Mini Pogo
Mac N Cheese (V)
Chicken Nuggets (DF)
Potato Wedges (V) (GF) (DF)
(V) Vegetarian – (GF) Gluten Free – (DF) Dairy Free – (P) Pescatarian
Food & Beverage Vendors
From cool treats and refreshing drinks to Indigenous-inspired meals and fun festival snacks, the food vendors at SSIF offer a delicious variety for every craving. Enjoy traditional dishes, sweet and savoury favourites, and unique creations that celebrate culture, community, and flavour.
Big Day Fun Rentals brings bouncy castle fun and classic fair snacks to the festival! Their team offers cotton candy, snow cones, and popcorn—perfect for families looking to add a little extra joy to their day.
Heavenly Dreams has been delighting SSIF visitors for over 15 years with soft ice cream, slushies, popsicles, and milkshakes. With 12 flavours of premium soft serve, they continue to serve up sweet moments and summertime favourites.
Kahnawake Corn Poppers serves up gourmet popcorn in a variety of flavours along with buffalo or elk burgers, fries, poutine, hot dogs, and pogos. A one-stop shop for classic and Indigenous comfort food.
Kisisâm Pâtisserie offers pastries inspired by Indigenous stories and traditional ingredients. Founded in 2023, each creation by Neu Uasstessiu Nipish—“she who bakes with fire”—celebrates foraged elements and ancestral knowledge.
Manomin Native Food Services features Indigenous favourites like buffalo burgers, wild rice, and buffalo ribs. Cody Lafontaine brings traditional dishes with a modern twist to every plate.
Morningstar’s Catering offers hearty breakfasts and traditional Indigenous meals. A perfect stop to start your festival morning or enjoy comforting cultural dishes throughout the day.
Sweet Dee’s is back for a second year with trendy and nostalgic treats. Find the bright pink tent with the pink squirrel and discover freeze-dried candy, exotic soft drinks, and fun snacks.
(Facebook: Sweet Dee’s)
Sweet Treats has all the festival favourites—cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, funnel cakes, and more. Maryanne also serves up walking tacos, Native tacos, corn soup, scones, and refreshing lemonade.
Terry’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Inc. serves ice-cold, freshly made lemonade—perfectly refreshing for a summer day at the festival.
