PROGRAM

Sunday, March 6, 2005 - "FROM FIELD TO TABLE" 11:30 am - 2:30 am

An open discussion between Ontario food growers, food and beverage producers, chefs and culinary professionals to start a provincial dialogue, network and build awareness between industries. This exciting round Table discussion will be held at George Brown College, 300 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario.

Participating in the "From Field to Table" discussion will be:

W. R. (Bill) Allen, Deputy Minister, Tourism and Recreation

Bill Allen was appointed Deputy Minister of Tourism and Recreation in January 2003. As Deputy of Tourism and a Board member of the Canadian Tourism Commission, he has provided leadership in responding to the tourism challenges and is proud of the relationships he has forged with tourism industry leaders.

Frank J. Ingratta, Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Frank Ingratta was appointed as Deputy Minister in December of 1997. For more than 30 years, Frank has provided service to Ontario's agri-food industry and rural communities in diverse positions within the constantly evolving Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Visit "FROM FIELD TO TABLE" for more information

Sunday, March 6, 2005 - Opening Night Showcase

Taste Ontario! - Stirring Up Your Senses 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

George Brown College, 300 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1N1

The first Culinary - Tourism Symposium in Ontario launches it's celebrations with an opening night to remember! We know you can't possibly reach all of the delicious destinations around the province so we have brought them to you - exhibitors from far and wide will present their regional showcase of culinary treats and tourism delicacies; foods and beverages that will tantalize your palate and increase your sensibilities!

Opening Night will be held at the George Brown Chef School in downtown Toronto. This evening is your chance to mingle with special guests, industry experts and friends who share a desire to learn more about culinary tourism while tasting what is:

OURS TO DISCOVER IN ONTARIO.

Opening Night Entertainment
THE MARIGOLDS

Gwen Swick	Cailtin Hanford	Suzie Vinnick

Caitlin Hanford's singing is 'as near to country perfection as anyone can get'. Gwen Swick's voice 'evokes a sense of wonder...mesmerizing' and Suzie Vinnick has 'a voice of spun gold and honey'. Together, as The Marigolds, and accompanied by Randall Coryell on percussion, they perform a gentle repertoire of traditional and original country, folk, blues and jazz tunes. The harmonies are sweet and the playing is musical and groovy. They are a delight.

Monday, March 7, 2005

Chefs Circle Breakfast -
Exclusive Event for College Exhibitors Only

CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS - Internationally acclaimed Chef John Higgins, Director of the George Brown Chef School and his 'Circle of Chefs' are preparing an extraordinary breakfast for all of the College Exhibitors who are participating in the Culinary-Tourism Symposium Opening Night Showcase and the winners of the annual Knorr Ready, Set, Cook event.

See Chef Circle for more information

Delegate Registration and Continental Breakfast - 8:00 am - 8:30 am
- George Brown College, 300 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1N1

Anita Stewart - Ontario's resident Culinary Activist and Gastronomer, will be our "Sage on the Stage and Guide on the Side" throughout the Symposium.

Several times during the day we will take time for Looking for Answers and Front Line Solutions! This is your chance to ask any question you like about Culinary Tourism... you will be surprised by the knowledge and support you will get from your fellow participants and experts. Many of the delegates are currently working on some fantastic culinary tourism initiatives and projects - Over To You!

" Think Big! A Vision for Culinary Tourism in Ontario"

What do you get when you mix: a world renowned Chef Michael Stadtlander with Donald Ziraldo, a founding father of Ontario Wines and John Pye, the CEO of one of Canada's leading hotel chains? Opinions, ideas... and an unequalled global perspective! We've asked our three Honourary Chairs to discuss a vision for culinary tourism from their own unique perspectives and business backgrounds and from their own explorations as culinary tourists.

Quick Business Facts

Throughout the Symposium we will be presenting brief business facts about Culinary Tourism - from economic impacts, packaging techniques, branding information, operational issues and business planning help. These tid-bits of knowledge come from far and wide!

Learning Bites!

Sensory Scientist, Dr. Tanya MacLaurin of the University of Guelph will lead us through the first of four hands-on learning vignettes about our senses. You won't want to miss a bite of... Smell the Roses, Sound the Bell, Touched by a Feeling and What Do You See!

" Guess Who's Coming to Your Business for Dinner?"

Dr. Stephen Smith of the University of Waterloo knows who. For 5 years the Chair of the Canadian Tourism Commission's Research Committee, this internationally recognized tourism researcher uncovers and defines the culinary tourism market for us. Understand the makeup of the culinary tourist; who are they; what motivates them; what kind of experience are they looking for? There are many misconceptions about this market and Stephen will simplify it for you. Stephen will be joined by Elena Ignatov, University of Waterloo

Quick Business Fact

Branding - does it matter?

Culinary Tourism - Is it all in the Brand? Join Gabor Forgacs, Ryerson University, School of Hospitality and Tourism, Dave Nourse, a senior Marketing Manager with TBWA\Chiat\Day in Toronto and J. Charles Grieco, the Organizing Chair, Culinary Tourism Symposium '05 while they discuss the importance of branding "Culinary Tourism".

Lunch

Packaging a Culinary Tourism Experience - A Meeting of the Minds!
You may have a great destination but how do you bring it all together and tie it with a bow so the experience is extraordinary? These experts all have first hand knowledge of success and failures when it comes to packaging. (Panelists include: Marie Cheesman, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership; Caryn Colman, Smoothwater Outfitters, Northern Lights Food Group and Michael Olson, Chef/Professor Niagara Culinary Institute)

Quick Business Fact

We are thrilled to bring you two leading Ontario chefs and the head of Northern Lights Food Group from Northern Ontario to discuss culinary tourism in the north. Join Tom Reid, "The Nickel Chef" - A strong advocate and creator of Northern Ontario cuisine. Chef Tim Matthews from Confederation College in Thunder Bay Tim who has a weekly cooking show on CBC radio and has written over 200 articles on food preparation and cooking, and finally Bison Farmer, Pierre Belanger who works daily to increase the visibility and awareness of Northern food producers and the notion of regional foods to the public and to the food service industry.

- 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm 300 Adelaide St. East, Toronto, ON M5A 1N1

- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

" Grown In Ontario - A Feast of our Land"

An evening to remember! Tonight will be a chance for you to dine with a cross section of the Culinary Tourism industry while we challenge you and your table / team to invent a new culinary tourism product. This 'not-to-be-missed dinner' will be held at Siegfried's Restaurant at George Brown College and will feature the magic of Chef John Higgins and a host of Ontario Chefs creating a feast of Ontario grown and produced food!

Jane Hawtin will be our MC for the evening!

Tuesday, March 8th, 2005

Delegate Registration and Continental Breakfast - 8:00 am - 8:30 am
- George Brown College, 300 Adelaide St. East, Toronto ON M5A 1N1

"Authentically Ontario!"

A panel of culinary historians, led by Elizabeth Driver, Montgomery's Inn, Fiona Lucas and Elizabeth Nelson-Raffaele will discuss how, by understanding - and tasting - the past, food history embellishes and enriches the culinary tourism experience.

" Where in the World do they Do it?"

A Culinary Tourism Leader in Culinary Tourism - join Sinclair Philip, Sooke Harbour House, British Columbia and Liam Dolan, creator of the PEI Shellfish Festival as they share their success in growing their Canadian Culinary Tourism Destinations.

"Culinary Tourism in Regions of Ontario"

Survey results, focus groups and frameworks for action will be revealed. This is your chance to hear what research and frameworks have been designed with culinary tourism in mind! Jane Langdon of Niagara Region, Susan Benson of Muskoka Region and Rebecca LeHeup-Bucknell of Prince Edward County will share their experiences creating regional strategies supporting Culinary Tourism.

Famed expert, Dr. Lucy M. Long will give the keynote address to symposium delegates. Research indicates that the term "Culinary Tourism" was first coined by Lucy Long in 1998 to express the idea of experiencing other cultures through food.

The Overview of the Culinary Tourism Strategy in Ontario
Highlights will be presented on the Ontario Culinary Tourism Strategy report that has been commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation.

Symposium Concludes