TORONTO — The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is making hearts – and stomachs – happy, one beef patty at a time.

In celebration of Jamaican Patty Day, JTB will be handing out thousands of free beef patties at Toronto’s Union Station on Feb. 23. Locals can pick up the tasty treat made by Patties Express at the Jamaican pop-up space at the Bay Union Samples Kiosk inside Union Station (65 Front Street West) on Feb. 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This marks the 39th year Jamaican Patty Day is being celebrated in Toronto. The day pays tribute to the historic ‘beef’ that took place in the mid 1980s between Toronto’s Jamaican patty vendors and local food inspectors. Authorities claimed the city’s patty shops could not use the term ‘beef patties’ to describe their snack food. Following a series of court battles, the ‘Patty Wars’ were resolved in a ruling on Feb. 23, 1985, and the day has been known as Jamaican Patty Day in Toronto ever since.

“Each year, Jamaican Patty Day celebrates a unique part of Toronto’s history while acknowledging the important contributions that the Jamaican Diaspora has made on the city’s culinary identity,” said Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board. “We’re looking forward to welcoming Torontonians to our pop-up space in Union Station on February 23 to try a free Jamaican beef patty and get a taste of the island!” 

In addition to the free treats, the JTB is giving away a special prize trip for two to Kingston, Jamaica, courtesy of Flair Airlines and Spanish Court Hotel. Contest entries can be submitted at visitjamaica.com/patty-day until Feb. 25, 2024.

For more information about Jamaican cuisine, go to visitjamaica.com/feel-the-vibe/cuisine.