Home Community Sweet Purpose Behind the Sweets – 6th Tarts4Hearts Festival

Sweet Purpose Behind the Sweets – 6th Tarts4Hearts Festival

October 22, 2025

By Ewa Chwojko-Srawley

What happens when you mix thousands of butter tarts, 42 vendors—15 of them food-focused—and a gym bursting withballoons, crafts, and even Peruvian sweaters? “Pure joy and sugar!” declares Karin Cacciola, creator of the Georgina Peaceful Hearts Foundation, and mastermind behind the festival.

The Ice Palace was filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods, and excitement. Vendors came from as far away as Sudbury. “We couldn’t squeeze in one more!” laughs Cacciola. “It got so busy (and hot!) we even turned on the air conditioning!”

The highlight of the day was the Butter Tart Competition. With 13 entries in both amateur and professional categories, the contest was as rich as the filling itself. Judge Carolyn Butterworth, now in her third year of tasting tarts, called it “the best job—but also the hardest. Judging isn’t just about taste: we follow a strict score sheet—appearance, aroma, texture, perfect pastry-to-filling ratio, etc. It’s complex!”

Karin Cacciola announces the sweetest wins of the day, backed by her panel of expert tart tasters: Former Ward 1 Councillor Mike Waddington, Mayor Margaret Quirk & Trustee Carolyn Butterworth

Lisa from Better Tarts, 1st prize winner in professional category

For Lisa from Better Tarts, this year’s first place win in the professional category was both surprising and thrilling. “I didn’t expect it,” she says. “I baked about 2,000 tarts for today, and we were almost sold out halfway through! I’m overwhelmed and grateful.”

All proceeds support the Peaceful Hearts Georgina Foundation, which offers adult day programs for people with special needs and disabilities. “We provide structured, meaningful programs for our clients,” says Cacciola. “Our three professionals take them out into the community. We give them opportunities to build social connections, independence, and life skills through arts and technology. We rely entirely on fundraising to keep our programs sustainable, as we receive no government funding.”

This year’s event raised an impressive $34,000, a long way from the $8,000 raised in the festival’s first year. It includes $3,500 from a new Silent Auction organized by Di Solitar, plus a $5,000 donation from Georgina Insurance Brokers. Over six years, the foundation has brought in more than $140,000 to support its programs.

Tarts4Hearts has become one of Georgina’s most beloved traditions. “People say it’s one of the prettiest and most joyful festivals around,” says Cacciola proudly. “It’s easier to organize now: vendors want to come back because they feel the personal touch.”

Peaceful Hearts is already planning for 2026 and is looking for volunteers to join the event committee they are forming.

In Georgina, calories don’t count—when they’re baked for a good cause!

For more information visit: peacefulhearts.ca

The coveted golden trophies—rumoured to be the largest in Ontario’s pastry scene—went to:

Professional Bakers