Review: Tastemakers Lounge provides brief but luxurious reprieve at TIFF (Includes first-hand account)

Many film festival goers and celebrity gawkers look forward to the star gazing such events bring to the host city. Premiere screenings and promotional obligations promise to bring any number of famous personalities, presenting the chance for an in-person glimpse, autograph or perhaps even selfie. It’s quite obvious what the public gets in exchange for their time and/or money, but what do the stars have to look forward to when they attend these events? Talking to press and dressing to impress can be exhausting – therefore in their “off-hours,” they’re invited to attend various gift lounges. These conveniently stationed rooms offer a variety of new, useful and/or delicious products and services for celebs to enjoy… and if they’re wont, to mention to their friends and followers. The annual Tastemakers Lounge is definitely one of the top events in this category and we had a chance to preview this year’s offerings.

In spite of being presented by Krispy Kreme Canada, the prominent donut makers are not coming out with a new, low-fat version of their yummy pastries — because let’s face it, the flavour is in the fat. However, they are supplying a much-needed sugar and carb fill-up to all attendees. In addition to their original glazed donut, they’ve made a special TIFF-themed treat in the form of a chocolate-glaze sprinkled with popcorn. And for that extra caffeine boost to get everyone through the rest of their busy day, they have their specially branded coffee, hot or iced.

Of course everyone receives a Guess? tote gift bag of these sponsored goodies to take home. And since no film experience is complete without popcorn, there’s also a full-sized bag of Indulge Gourmet Kettle Corn to enjoy at the next screening.

These lounges are meant to give its visitors a break from the constant hustle-and-bustle, as well as create a buzz around the featured products. Based on what we’ve seen, I don’t think this year’s selections will have a problem with supplying either.

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