The Gentlemen’s Expo is back on Nov. 10, 11, and 12 and there is no shortage of experiences for patrons to enjoy. The Gentlemen’s Expo is the premium event for emerging and established men’s lifestyle products, integrated consumer experiences and on-stage programming.  The annual event houses great speakers and compelling attractions in the categories of style, tech, music, sports, cars, alcohol, grooming, sex, food, entrepreneurship, whiskey, beer, spirits, gaming, DIY, wellness, health and more, then you need to come to The Gentlemen’s Expo.

 Underground Chef Co. (UCC) Battle

Get ready to experience the biggest, baddest and most epic food battle that Toronto has ever seen! The team at Underground Chef Co. have been hard at work organizing an astonishing line-up of Chefs to create a special edition Chef Battle, exclusively on The Gentlemen’s Expo’s On The Line Culinary Experience.

The Chefs battling at this year’s event include Chef Ted Reader and Chef Jeff Dueck. The Chef Battle will be hosted by both Joe Friday (Founder of UCC) and Chef Mike Ward (Formerly Food Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Living). There will also be an incredible panel of judges that is still yet to be announced.

For anyone who has never witnessed a Chef Battle live before, Underground Chef Co., challenges Chefs to create several dishes from secret ingredients in under one-hour and provide audience goers with a real-time experience of life in the kitchen. It’s hot, loud, and it’s messy but this on-stage event will leave you in shock and awe once attendees see what these Chef’s come up with.

Yamaha Canada Music Garage Band Experience

The Yamaha Canada Music Garage Band Experience will WOW attendees with a fully-built garage that contains a massive selection of instruments to try out, from their product catalog. This is the jam space of any music nerd’s dreams, because they can try everything.

Grab a guitar (like the new Revstar) and melt some faces with a solo. Grab those drum sticks and do that part from Phil Collins ‘In The Air Tonight’. Anything is possible!

The Silver Medal Package Presented By Hockey Hall of Fame

The Gentlemen’s Expo is bringing a true Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) classic, “The Silver Medal Package.” This area includes the HHOF’s mobile Original Legends Exhibit, an NHL Trophy display and a truly unique interactive hockey component.   

In partnership with the premier interactive hockey company, Top Shot Hockey from Guelph, Ontario, the package  has traveled from coast-to-coast throughout North America, as well as the world, and has been a popular fan favourite wherever it goes. 

Featuring a combination of historical artifacts from the past, present and future of the game, the most prestigious hardware in the world and a selection of interactive games to challenge even the most seasoned hockey veteran; there is a little bit of something that everyone will enjoy.

Openly. On-Stage Discussion

This is a first for The Gentlemen’s Expo main stage; Openly., is a series of talks and videos that showcase some of the most accomplished and influential leaders in the food and beverage, hospitality, entertainment, sports and service industry. They share their stories of professional success, failures and personal triumph as they rise to the top.

Currently scheduled to participate in the Openly On-Stage Discussion is Whiskey Chef Matt Jones, Chef Ted Reader, Chef Jeff Dueck, Krista Faist (Editor of Foosdism TO), Kevin Brauch (The Thirsty Traveller), Chef Amanda Ray, Chef Rob Rainford, Master Baker Marcus Mariathas (ACE Bakery), Sommelier Scott Zebarth, Chef Alexandra Feswick and some surprise appearances from some other well known culinary experts in Toronto’s food scene. The discussion will be hosted by Chef Mike Ward, who was formerly Food Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Living (Canada’s #1 food magazine).

OLG PlaySmart Experience

PlaySmart is OLG’s gambling education program dedicated to informing Ontarians about how gambling works to keep it a fun and enjoyable experience for all players. PlaySmart provides facts, tools and advice to help players, new to experienced, develop smart gambling habits that suit their play.

PlaySmart has developed a series of interactive activities for participants to experience at The Gentlemen’s Expo while showing fans the fun of randomness in gambling! Drop by the PlaySmart booth to roll a 122-sided die at their Odds Table, grab a snack from their Vending Machine, or pick a card – any card – from their very own magician.

The Gentlemen’s Expo Fashion Show

Attendees are certainly in for a treat during The Gentlemen’s Expo opening night (Thursday, November 10) because they will have a chance to experience the latest style trends and get advice from some of the most knowledgeable sartorial experts in Toronto. This main-stage event is sponsored by Reiss, Rent Frock Repeat, SHARP, and Concierge Club.

Best Buy He-Shed

The Best Buy He-Shed (#BestBuyHeShed) is the ultimate haven for today’s modern man. Timeless style merged with the latest tech makes for the perfect manly, backyard escape. The Best Buy He-Shed features everything from wireless home audio systems, to virtual reality, the coolest drones and everything in between!

Attendees are invited to demo products, seek advice from Geek Squad Agents and experience all that the He-Shed has to offer. Warning: They may never want to leave! 

The Dr Oetker-Casa Di Mama Experience

Dr Oetker-Casa Di Mama is the official pizza of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and as such they will create an experience for attendees in which they can sample a fresh slice of the pizza itself AND enter contests to win tickets to the Grey Cup or to the Dr Oetker-Casa Di Mama “viewing party”.

They will do this via a 23 foot trailer with a lowering stage. Consumers will walk up the stage to receive a sample from their lovely Bas, alongside coupons. Dr Oetker-Casa Di Mama will also set up tents where they host engagements and the contests. Everything is CFL and Casa Di Mama branded!

Clinique For Men / Lab Series Gentlemen’s Lounge

Both Clinique For Men and Lab Series will be setting up a unique and fun experience that will definitely give the feel of a Gentlemen’s Lounge. Attendees will challenge each other in a video game while receiving a top-of-the-line facial treatment as they compete with one another. Whoever wins in this game will have the bragging rights over the other and both will leave feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day . They will also leave with an ice-cold beer because after all… this a Gentlemen’s Lounge and we’re all winners here!

Beer, Spirits, Wine, and Cocktail Sampling

The Gentlemen’s Expo will feature an incredible offering of some of the world’s best potent potables. Ranging from scotches, bourbons, whisk(e)ys, beers, wines, cocktails and everything in between.

Attendees will have a chance to sample beverages from the likes of: Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Highland Park, The Macallan, Mill Street, Goose Island, Stella Artois, Brickworks Ciderhouse, Budweiser, Innis & Gunn, Great Lakes Brewery, Old Tomorrow, Samuel Adams, Amsterdam Brewery, Bulleit Bourbon, CIROC, Johnny Walker, Ketel One Vodka, Tanqueray No. Ten, and so much more!

The Bag Jump In Partnership with 365 Sports and Tenfed

The Gentlemen’s Expo is bringing the infamous Bag Jump back to the event. Attendees will be able to jump off an enormous 30ft scaffold into an inflatable bag.

As part of this attraction, The Gentlemen’s Expo has partnered with Tenfed, a company that provides ten meals to feed hungry children around the globe with every item that is sold. They work directly with Kids Against Hunger Canada to make this happen and will be creating a limited edition shirt exclusively for The Gentlemen’s Expo. Attendees can purchase one of their shirts right at The Bag Jump to show support.

On The Line Culinary Experience

The Gentlemen’s Expo will feature demonstrations from some of Toronto’s top Chefs, including: Chef Patrick McMurray, Chef Tonia Wilson, Cheese Master Afrim Pristine, Chef Albert Ponzo, Chef Rob Rainford, Chef Lindsey Greflund, Chef Ted Reader, Whiskey Chef Matt Jones, Bourbon Ambassador Jamie Johnson and so much more!

The Gentlemen’s Den

The Gentlemen’s Den will be the centre area of The Gentlemen’s Expo and have some of the most popular bar games housed within one massive area for attendees to enjoy. Play ping pong, pool, foosball and even watch sports highlights on screens placed within this area. Attendees can even watch our local Toronto sports teams broadcasted live on game day.

Retail Shopping

With the holiday season just around the corner, attendees can shop amongst some of the most popular international and local men’s retailers. With nearly endless options available, The Gentlemen’s Expo will bring top fashion retailers, men’s accessories, and even men’s grooming products. It’s a sure bet that attendees will pick up some great gift ideas and who knows… They may also pick something up for themselves while they are there. 

It all happens November 10-12 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building. Tickets to The Gentlemen’s Expo are still available and start at $35, which include five sampling tokens that are good for any combination of beer, wine, spirits or food. VIP passes to the event are also going on-sale which cost $50 and include five additional sampling tokens (10 tokens in total), a complimentary gift bag, and express access in to the event. Additional tokens can be purchased on the show floor.  To stay on top of the event’s on-going announcements and to purchase tickets, attendees are encouraged to visit: www.gentlemensexpo.com.

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Twitter: @GentlemensExpo; #GentsExpo

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca