Toronto Underground Market (PHOTOS)

On the north and east ends of the city – away from upscale restaurants and swanky bars of the financial and entertainment district – is where you find the real gastronomic gems of Toronto. Locals know that outside of the downtown core is where real ethnic cuisine is crafted and enjoyed. The annual Toronto Underground Market brings together these diverse foods and celebrates the food entrepreneurs behind those creations.

My favorite stand from the market was the Thistletown Culinary Insitute – a small group of culinary high school students led by their teacher, selling their dishes at the market to raise money for a 2015 school trip to Europe. It was a heartwarming story and I loved the enthusiasm from the students.

For more food stories from Toronto, see the author’s photography blog  or follow her on Twitter @tracyzhangphoto.