Good Food Party in Mississauga

Just as Prince Andrew and his bride are consummating their passion across the pond, lovers in this neck of the Commonwealth can celebrate their own ardor—for food. Enter the Good Food Festival and Market, a vast tribute to the distinct pleasures of eating that will sprawl across the International Centre (6900 Airport Rd.) on the Royal Wedding weekend.

Running April 29 to May 1, the annual event has lots that’s new for 2011, including live appearances by a clutch of Food Network personalities, more than 150 free cooking classes, and a tasty parade of food and drink freebies. There’s even a contest for the best decorated Royal Wedding cake, for those food-loving monarchists who were excluded from the Wales’ invitation list.

The Canadian Living Test Kitchen returns this year for another round of cooking demonstrations of the namesake magazine’s “tested-till-perfect” recipes. And the Get Cooking Canada! Stage will operate a full schedule of cooking lessons by celebrity chefs and cooking experts. This year’s version features live appearances by the Food Network’s Duff Goldman (he’s the Ace of Cakes guy who’s going to judge your Royal Wedding cake efforts) and a clutch of giddy Top Chef Canada contestants.

There are also cake decorating classes, kids’ cupcake adorning sessions and a wheel of get-to-know-your-cheese presentations.

At the Tastes of the World Passport Program, participants make their way among countries, sampling the tastes of Italy, India, the Caribbean and Japan. They trade in their stamped passports for a chance to win a big-ass trip with Trafalgar Tours.

Closer to home, check out the Eat Local Pavillion for a parade of Ontario’s finest offerings.

The show runs Friday noon till eight (with a two-hour-early opening for parents and strollers who apply), Saturday 10 till eight and Sunday 10 till five.