In a city where there are plenty of well-known sweets to be had, there’s going to be one more added to the mix – but only for a limited time.
The Broken Ice Company joins the lineup for 2025 Stratford Winterfest, bringing with them one of the most Canadian winter sweet treats out there: maple taffy. Boiled to a particular temperature, the maple syrup gets poured over fresh, clean snow where it rapidly cools and then thickens to create a chewy, sweet confection.
Sumit Raghav, owner of Broken Ice, says the taffy draws its name from the french ‘tire d’érable’ and draws popularity from its unique flavour of pure maple syrup.
“That makes it a fun, interactive experience of both making and eating it,” Raghav said. “Snow and maple syrup, two things Canada is known for – mix it together and it brings smiles to people’s faces and joy to their tastebuds.”
The Broken Ice Company calls itself ‘a catalyst for unforgettable experiences’ and Raghav said that when they get involved in an event, people can expect a blend of tradition, excitement and community spirit.
“Our events are lively with live making of the taffy through boiling, pouring and rolling it on the snow,” he said. “Participants love to watch the process and enjoy the sweet treat at the end. We love being able to bring the idea of Sugar Shack magic and experience to winter festivals across Ontario, and Stratford is certainly a place we didn’t want to miss.”
Raghav added that Winterfest, being a celebration of winter that showcases the city’s vibrant community and love for seasonal traditions, was a big draw for them to sign on for this year’s event.
“We were drawn to Stratford by its picturesque setting, and the festival’s commitment to bringing joy to both locals and visitors,” he said. “Participating in Winterfest allows us to share our passion for maple taffy with a diverse audience, creating connections and spreading happiness through this delightful treat.”
Broken Ice partners with the Winding Road Maple Tap Farm in Elmira to help them create the taffy, and they bring it with them to all of their events. Raghav said they’re loyal to Winding Road because of the consistency the product offers them when using it. And the proof is in the experience, as Raghav said they get amazing feedback everywhere they go.
“The response we get from first-time maple taffy tasters is overwhelmingly positive, and many are delighted by the unique texture and rich flavour,” he said. “Common comments include surprise at how the syrup transforms on snow, and joy at participating in the traditional process. People often express appreciation for the opportunity to create and enjoy such a quintessential Canadian experience, making it a moment they cherish. We also have many people stopping by to reminisce about times they have made maple taffy with their family or travelled to Sugar Shacks for the experience.”
Stratford Winterfest gets underway on Friday, Jan. 24, when a number of events around town open the festivities. Broke Ice will make its event debut on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. in Upper Queen’s Park.
