TORONTO — The 11th annual Terroir Symposium, which brings together innovative and creative influencers from the field of hospitality — including chefs, food and beverage experts, food and beverage producers, writers and business leaders — returns to the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto on May 29.
This year, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, more than 1,000 delegates from Canada, the U.S. and international markets will gather to take part in inspirational and educational talks and programs that will reflect the history, leadership and diversity of the Canadian culinary landscape.
Following the theme “Our Home and Native Land,” sessions will delve into Indigenous food traditions and how they inform mainstream Canadian farming, fishing, foraging and dining today. The conference will also zone in on the waves of immigration, historical trading ties and political clashes that have shaped the country’s foodscapes and expanded palates; and explore regional idiosyncrasies, indigenous ingredients and scientific breakthroughs to take stock of where Canada stands in the world of food. The “Iconically Canadian” session brings together top Canadian chefs to discuss how — when it comes to food, drink and hospitality — this country’s offerings are perceived across the nation and beyond and debate the meaning of “iconically Canadian” at home and abroad.
Then, Canadian wines will be centre stage as experts share how local vintages are performing on the international scene.
Chef Matty Matheson, executive chef of Parts and Labour, P&L Burger and the face of Canadian cooking for VICE will be the MC for this year’s event. Hosts include media personalities Pay Chen, Bob Blumer and Michelle Jobin.
More than 80 speakers will be on hand, including writer and food historian Anita Stewart, chefs Hugh Acheson, Lynn Crawford, Ned Bell and Susur Lee, as well as Dufflet Pastries’ founder Dufflet Rosenberg
While examining Canada’s culinary past, Terroir will also offer insight from the next generation and share their vision for the next 150 years. “Youth, Mentorship and The Future of Food” examines how, for Canada’s international reputation to grow, it takes an inspired and technically outstanding next generation to carry the torch. In this session, Clement Vachon, International Relations chief for S. Pellegrino, Alison Ramage, a S. Pellegrino Young Chef competitor and Normand Laprise, chef-owner Toque! and 2016 S.Pellegrino Young Chef mentor, look at how the S. Pellegrino Young Chef contributes and the essential role of mentorship in taking Canadian cuisine to the next level.
For complete program information and to register visit terroirsymposium.com.
