by Good Food Revolution in support of Terroir Sympoium 2012: The New Radicals
Terroir VI, Canada’s leading foodservice symposium that brings together the elite of Canada’s hospitality industry including influential chefs, food writers, wine and food experts and business leaders – is pleased to announce the launch of the first annual Monogram Terroir Awards of Excellence. Created to inspire, nurture and celebrate professional excellence throughout the Canadian culinary industry, nominations are open to professionals working in Canada in the three categories of chef, beverage, and front-of-house. Details of the awards criteria may be found and nominations made online at www.terroirsymposium.com until March 31, 2012. The entries will be judged by the Terroir Advisory and Planning Committee, with prizes awarded including $1,000 cash and national publicity. Winners in each category will be based on total votes submitted and announced at the 6th annual event, taking place at the Oliver & Bonacini Arcadian Court in Toronto on April 23, 2012. Entitled, The New Radicals, the symposium features a day of innovative programming led by industry leaders.
“Terroir is proud to announce the Awards for Excellence in Hospitality added to this year’s symposium,” said Arlene Stein, Chair, Terroir Committee. “The awards allow peers to recognize each other for their significant contribution to the industry and their innovation and creativity in the areas of service, beverage and culinary achievement.”
“GE Monogram is about performance in the kitchen and delivering perfect service to our customers and consumers,” said Philippe Meyersohn, general manager, marketing and training, GE Appliances Canada. “We are excited to partner with Terroir to celebrate the same qualities in the hospitality industry. Canada does not celebrate its talents enough and we believe that this award will help raise the profile of key heroes in the hospitality industry,” he added.
Criteria for each award is as follows: the candidate must have a minimum of five years of experience in the industry; is currently employed in a restaurant in Canada that supports a regional culinary identity; adheres to standards of excellence and service in hospitality as observed by industry and consumers; has contributed to the industry through education, collaboration and mentorship; is recognized by their peers for their leadership and innovation and their contribution to the field of hospitality in Canada; and upholds standards of sustainability by supporting local producers, artisans and businesses.
“We feel all levels of hospitality should be valued and accredited by their colleagues, and this accreditation provides recognition for their significant contributions,” Ms. Stein continued. “The awards will acknowledge the exceptional and talented professionals in hospitality in Canada and will inspire young and emerging talent to continue to build on success, and a high standard and recognition for everyone.”
With the goal of honoring the best and brightest on the global stage, the Terroir VI Committee is thrilled to announce a star-studded roster of participants, to include Ken Friedman, partner, The Breslin, The John Dory Oyster Bar & The Spotted Pig in New York; chef Ben Shewry of Attica Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia; Barton Seaver, author, For Cod & Country; Kristian Eligh, chef de cuisine at Vancouver’s it-spot, Hawksworth Restaurant; Connie DeSousa from Charcut in Calgary, Tama Matsuoka, internationally renowned author of Foraged Flavor, John Lee, proprietor of Chippy’s, chef Jeff Crump of The Landmark Group, Max Rimaldi, proprietor, Pizzeria Libretto & Enoteca Sociale, Jocelyn Maurice, district manager Canoe, Auberge Du Pommier, Oliver Bonacini, Lilia Smelkova, Food Day USA campaign manager, and chef Michael Stadtlander, organizer of Foodstock 2011. Toronto’s celebrated writer and author, James Chatto will act as emcee.
This year’s sponsors include GE Monogram, Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants and the Fairmont Royal York, in Toronto.
Terroir is a non-for-profit committee of industry professionals that host an annual symposium about education, networking, sharing collective resources and building a community to help strengthen the industry. The mission of the symposium is to share information with hospitality industry professionals; to encourage community, culture, provide educational opportunities and enhanced relationships; to recognize and appreciate members of the industry, products, ideas and inspiration; to invest and support one other and thereby strengthen the hospitality industry as a whole.
For more information go to www.terroirsymposium.com or follow on Twitter @TerroirTalk #TerroirVI.
