WayHome partners with Taste of Toronto and Drake Hotel Properties to create ultimate summer festival experience

TORONTO, May 20, 2015 /CNW/ - WayHome Music and Arts is excited to announce a partnership with world-renowned restaurant festival, Taste of Toronto and Toronto-based hospitality darling, Drake Hotel Properties, for the 2015 summer music festival.  Set amongst the backdrop of a beautifully restored 1920s barn beside the main stage of the festival, the WayHome Music and Arts VIP experience will feature a series of Taste of Toronto­-style mini-restaurants by the Drake Hotel, Drake One Fifty and Drake Devonshire Inn. Earlier in July, Taste of Toronto visitors will enjoy a live music stage curated by WayHome Music and Arts.

Drake will offer its foodie 'classics with a twist' to VIP guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and everything in between) from five different mini-restaurants: Drake Café, offering breakfast and lunch items including favourites like Drake granola and the classic Drake burger; Fish Camp, a brand-new Drake concept for summer 2015, will be popping up at all of its properties and WayHome Music and Arts, featuring seafood like fresh oysters, shrimp & grits and crispy clams; Drake Fiesta, offering made-to-order tacos, grilled corn and other Mexican-inspired dishes; Drake BBQ with grilled classics like pork ribs, chicken thighs, and all the fixings; and Drake Snacks, serving tasty treats like ice cream sandwiches and freezies. The Drake mixology team will also be on hand to shake up thoughtfully crafted cocktails and pour premium wine in festival-safe carafes for guests.

"The culinary experience is a critical component of our vision for WayHome Music and Arts so to have internationally renowned restaurant festival Taste of Toronto partner with us on our VIP experience is very exciting," said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Republic Live.  "The Drake has long been known for delivering hospitality in the most unique and creative ways at a world class level; this was a defining factor for us when we collectively chose them for this special activation."

"We have a long history of working closely with musicians and music festivals, so the opportunity to work with both WayHome Music and Arts and Taste of Toronto to come up with a fun, creative way to give VIP guests a Drake culinary experience was a no-brainer for us," said Ted Corrado, Corporate Executive Chef, Drake Hotel Properties. "We're excited to debut delicious some new menu items to festival goers and enhance their experience at one of the coolest music festivals of the summer."

In addition to the WayHome x Taste of Toronto x Drake partnership, the music festival's VIP ticket-holders will enjoy an impressive experience including the closest stage viewing; festival boutique shopping; massage lounge; Way Beauty Bar; sneaker cleaner; photo booth; air conditioned executive washrooms and complimentary showers; cool down and refreshing stations; charging station; complimentary coffee, beverages, fresh fruit and private cash bar. The VIP area will also look and feel "like Drake" with the Drake team curating the art and décor, including several site-specific works by artists like Analog Preservation Network, Confetti System and Alicia Nauta.  Other VIP conveniences include premium parking or camping located in close proximity to the main stage, expedited traffic lanes and bag checks. This summer from July 24 to 26, VIP tickets are currently available for $599.99 at www.wayhome.com/vip.  

"As two of the city's most anticipated summer festivals, the WayHome x Taste of Toronto x Drake collaboration allows us to offer a first-class experience at both events," said Meghan O'Hanlon, Event Director, Taste Festivals Canada. "Bigger and better than ever in our second year, stay tuned for the full lineup of the live music stage at Taste of Toronto, curated by WayHome."

The only North American edition of the internationally celebrated Taste Festivals, the second annual Taste of Toronto festival is coming to Fort York National History Site, July 2 to 5. Ticket-holders will enjoy outstanding signature dishes from some of the city's top restaurants, including the Drake restaurants, as well as the unique opportunity to interact with local and international top chefs at live cooking classes and demonstrations, set to live music curated by WayHome Music and Arts in the background. Full music lineup to be announced soon. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit tasteoftoronto.com.

About WayHome Music and Arts

Republic Live, in collaboration with AC Entertainment, co-founders of the Bonnaroo Music Festival, will be hosting WayHome Music and Arts at Burl's Creek Event Grounds, just ten minutes north of Barrie, July 24 to 26.  The festival will include headliners Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse and Hozier with an additional 60 plus artists performing over the 3 days. The festival offers 4 stages, a variety of late-night spectacles and experiences, original art installations, fine international and local cuisine, an on-site farmers market, and more. WayHome Music and Arts will inspire fans to explore their own creativity while giving them a powerful, unforgettable, and eye opening experience using music and art as a catalyst. All ticket offerings include tent camping or parking and are on-sale exclusively at www.wayhome.com/vip.   

About Taste

Taste Festivals, an IMG event, is considered the world's greatest restaurant festival. The festival concept began 12 years ago in London, England, and has rapidly grown into an international event with festivals in 22 cities around the world including Dubai, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Melbourne, Dublin, Sydney, and Johannesburg, to name a few. Everywhere it goes, Taste represents a gourmand's dream come true: delicious food created by the city's greatest restaurants, world famous chefs, superb drink and outstanding entertainment, set in stunning outdoor surroundings. Taste of Toronto general tickets start from $19, youth (6-15) tickets are $15 and children under 5 attend for free. VIP and Premium ticket packages are also available. To purchase tickets or for more information, sign up to receive regular Taste of Toronto updates at tasteoftoronto.com.

About Drake Hotel Properties

Drake Hotel Properties is an arts and culture-driven hospitality brand with a commitment to providing design-focused, boutique hotspots to eat, drink, sleep, shop and play. Properties include The Drake Hotel (Toronto), Drake One Fifty (Toronto), Drake Devonshire Inn (Wellington, Prince Edward County) and Drake General Stores (Toronto, Ottawa). Each property reflects its unique neighbourhood by extending Drake's celebrated cultural and hospitality mandate to welcome local and out-of-town visitors alike. For more information, visit www.thedrake.ca. 

SOURCE WayHome Music and Arts