Announcements & Press Releases

Second Annual Regional Food Summit in Stratford on March 22nd

The second annual Perth County Regional Food Summit takes place Monday, March 22 in Stratford. Farmers and producers learn the importance of adding value to their business by becoming culinary tourism attractions. The latest culinary and agri-tourism trends and the power of social marketing are highlights at this year's summit. Farmers, producers, chefs, restaurateurs, retailers, distributors and accommodators from across the region are invited to participate in dynamic learning and networking forums presenting new business opportunities.

Antony John, Organic Farmer and presenter at 2009 Food Summit comments, "The Stratford Food Summit comes along at a great time of year, when the farmers are starting to plan their crops, and chefs are thinking about the menus. Both parties come to the summit filled with the optimism and ambition that each new season brings, and that energy is palpable in the room. It's therefore a great time to develop some very positive relationships between chefs and farmers, who can then have plenty of time to plan to maximize the tremendous food growing potential of Perth County."
The Regional Food Summit offers a full day of dynamic speakers, discussion forums and networking opportunities.
• Dr. Stephen Smith, Professor of Tourism at the University of Waterloo, sets the tone for the day with the keynote address on the latest Culinary Tourism Trends.
• Melissa Schenk, Executive Producer of MS2 Productions, will unleash the Power of Social Media demonstrating how small business owners can take advantage of this new tool.
• Suresh Doss, Producer of Spotlight Toronto, a dynamic culinary and cultural website, will take the discussion to the next level introducing Twittering Tips.
• A "Speed dating" session is planned creating an encouraging atmosphere for building new partnerships. Farmers and producers are stationed at tables featuring their products as chefs and buyers circulate and interact with the farmers.
• On the menu for lunch is the best of Perth County as round table discussions continue about local food.
• Afternoon break-out sessions encourage further dialogue on important culinary topics and critical agri-toursim issues;
o Local Abattoirs and Local Food
o Distribution- An answer for farmers and chefs
o Marketing for Farmers- At the farm gate, farmers' markets, events, on the internet and in print
o A Culinary Tourism Best Practices Panel.

• The Summit concludes with an outline of the next steps to be taken, and closing remarks by Eugene Zakreski, Executive Director of Stratford Tourism Alliance.
• A networking reception completes a full day of learning, networking and taking action.

The Regional Food Summit establishes Perth County as the place to be for sublime culinary experiences. Local cuisine is a motivating factor when tourists choose a destination and nearly 100% of tourists dine out while on vacation. So it is only natural that culinary and agri-tourism is on the rise and that people will be interested in learning how to incorporate it into their business.

Presenting sponsors of the Regional Food Summit are the Stratford Tourism Alliance and Savour Ontario, along with supporting sponsors Perth Community Futures Development Cooperation, Perth Oxford National Farmers Union and 100 Mile Market.

Chefs, farmers, producers, food retailers and buyers in Perth County and surrounding areas are invited and encouraged to attend and must pre-register. The cost including lunch is $35. Registrations are welcome online at www.savourstratford.com/foodsummit or by calling Stratford Tourism Alliance 519-271-5140 or 1-800-561-7926. The summit will be held in Stratford at the Arden Park Hotel.

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Attention Media Representatives: We invite you to attend all or a portion of the Food Summit and will provide complimentary media passes. Please register with Karen Savelle at ksavelle@welcometostratford.com or by calling 519-271-5140. We look forward to seeing you.

Contact:
Danielle Brodhagen
Stratford Tourism Alliance
47 Downie Street Stratford, ON N5A 1W7
Office: 519-271-5140 x 2229 Mobile: 519-801-5299
staculinary@gmail.com

POSTED ON 2010-03-04

Stratford Annual Swan Parade held on April 4th, 2010

One of Canada's most unique events, Stratford's Annual Swan Parade will take place on Sunday April 4 at 2:00 pm sharp at the Avon River.

For many, the first sighting of a robin or two in their backyard is an indication that spring has arrived. For residents of Stratford and the surrounding area, the return of the swans to the Avon River is a truly festive celebration to announce the arrival of spring. This unusual event has become an annual tradition that attracts more and more visitors each year from as far away as US border states, Toronto, Windsor, London and Kitchener.

The Stratford Police Pipes and Drums will lead the swans from their Winter Quarters behind the William Allman Arena to the Avon River along a route lined with hundreds of onlookers. Additional assistance will be provided by members of the District Scouting Movement and City of Stratford Community Services staff. Tim Hortons, event sponsor, will generously provide complimentary coffee and timbits.

The lengthening daylight hours trigger a hormonal response in the swans and they need to get onto the river to establish their territories. You will see the mated pairs looking for their nest sites within hours of being released and the younger birds in the non-breeding herd will be engaged in a lot of flirtations. There will be 28 swans in this year's parade. The total herd is larger, but some additional breeding pairs must be held back so they can be transported to other nearby waterways. If too many breeding pairs are released, there will be territorial fights between rival males that can turn deadly. The parade will also include Chinese Geese, a Bar Headed Goose and one black swan.

Plan to arrive early. The event is organized by Stratford's Volunteer Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee who are encouraging people to walk or cycle to the parade. Parking is also available along Lakeside Drive in Stratford.

If you wish to feed the swans, keep in mind that they like greens and grains (not bread). Bags of dried corn can be purchased at Stratford Tourism Alliance throughout the season. For those interested in learning more about swans video clips depicting key moments in the life of the swans and more information are available at www.welcometostratford.com/swans .

Contact: Ted Blowes 519-393-5877
Stratford Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee
OR
Cathy Rehberg
Marketing Manager
Stratford Tourism Alliance
www.welcometostratford.com
519-271-5140 or 800-561-SWAN

POSTED ON 2010-03-04

Stratford chefs featured at Terroir Hospitality Industry Symposium in Toronto on March 2nd, 2010

Savour Stratford Perth County hosts an engaging and tantalizing reception showcasing Stratford Chefs and featuring flavours of Perth County at Terroir IV, Southern Ontario's leading hospitality symposium. It takes place on March 2nd, 2010 at Hart House, University of Toronto. Terroir Hospitality Industry Symposium is a non-profit education symposium designed to celebrate the diverse culture of professionals in the hospitality industry.

"Terroir is the leading hospitality event in Ontario. Savour Stratford Perth County is pleased to host the networking reception this year. It is a great opportunity for Stratford chefs to showcase the best of Perth County products on an international stage." states Danielle Brodhagen, Programme Development at Stratford Tourism Alliance, who has organized the Terroir reception.

More than 300 chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality administrators and managers, sommeliers, servers, food writers and other hospitality professionals will gather for the University of Toronto's Hart House fourth annual "Terroir" symposium. This year's theme is Inspiration and Innovation - Stepping beyond the boundaries and pushing limitations. Thinking creatively in order to captivate personal interests and amaze others. Hospitality professionals are always looking for ways to impress, entertain and delight their guests. Where do they find the source of this inspiration so that they can continually evolve? Terroir creates a forum where industry members can come together to support, educate, inform, invest in, and recognize individuals and teams within the professional environment. Terroir captures inspiration and innovation for others.

The event will feature Chef David Kinch (2 Michelin Stars) from Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos, California as keynote speaker. Jamie Drummond from Good Food Revolution will discuss wine tasting. Creating your local menu will be presented by Savour Ontario chefs. Join Dick Snyder and Jen Agg from the Black Hoof for cocktails reinvented. Other topics in the agenda will include; relationships of food media and hospitality, and seeking benefits of youth leadership and mentorship in the hospitality industry.

Stratford Chefs and graduates of the Stratford Chefs School will be featuring produce from Perth County farmers and artisan food producers.
• Chef Lee Avigdor, Down the Street Bar and Restaurant, will be serving ‘Perth Pork Products ‘Berkshire Pork Rillette on Red Fife Spring Wheat Croutons, and Pickled 'Soiled Reputation' Vegetables along with Marinated Weth mushroom "C'est Bon" Goat Cheese Arugula Croutons.
• Chef Sheldon Russell, Keystone Alley Café, will work with Renecker's Palace Hillside Elk Farm.
• Chef Sean Collins (2008) and Chef Yva Santini (2009), Pazzo Ristorante and Pizzeria, is preparing home-made Red Fife Cavatelli with Megens Family Farm Lamb Ragu.
• Chef Marc Chartrand (2010) and Chef Hannah Campbell (2010), The Old Prune, will be featuring C'est Bon Goat Cheese.
• Chef Paul Finkelstein (1997), The Screaming Avocado Café, will showcase Tanjo Family Farm's Partridge with Red Fife wheat and vegetables from their garden.
• Chef Matt Duffy (2008), Langdon Hall, is preparing a home-made selection of bread paired with Chef Ruth Klahsen's (1985) Monforte Dairy cheeses along with preserves from McCully's Hill Farm and Augusts Harvest.
• Chef Shawn Hartwell, Simple Fish ‘n Chips, is preparing a Perth County Root Vegetable Salad of Purple Viking and Fingerling Potatoes, Jerusalem Artichokes, Celeriac Root and Sweet Parsnips in a Buttermilk Dressing with Lyndon Farms's Smoked Rainbow Trout.

Local beverage partners include: Tea Leaves Tea Tasting Bar, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery, Stratford Brewing Company, The Stratford Chefs School's hard apple cider, and Ontario VQA wineries, Lailey Vineyard, Chateau des Charmes and Cave Spring Cellars.

Chefs, restaurateurs, servers and hospitality professionals are welcome to attend. For Information and registration for the event visit: www.terroirhospitality.com . For more information on restaurants and chefs appearing at Terroir contact chefs directly or visit:www.welcometostratford.com for restaurant information.

POSTED ON 2010-02-22

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