Canadian Chefs' Congress

With the 2008 annual Chefs’ Congress behind us and with the 2010 Congress scheduled for British Columbia we’re asking for your continued involvement. In response to interest shown in Jeffrey Smith’s presentation about the threat posed by Genetically Modified Organisms, we’ve taken the opportunity to organise an online group to discuss these risks.

The purpose of this group is help inform and unite us around the fight to stop Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) from landing on our plates at home and in our restaurants. You can sign up for this discussion group by going to: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/gmofreezone

Chefs, hospitality professionals, restauranteurs, farmers, growers and fishers have the power to influence; the power to create awareness; and the power to change people’s eating habits one forkful at a time.

When you join GMO Free Zone – Food Professionals Against GMOs you also join the growing network of manufacturers, retailers, healthcare practitioners, the natural food industry and media that are already committed to informing consumers of the health risks associated with GMOs in our food supply. As food professionals we have the power to help direct the purchasing power of tens of millions of consumers through our organizations. We can help Canada reach that tipping point that will drive GMOs out of our food supply.

Please consider adding your name to the Campaign’s growing list of supporters because it not only addresses you and your community’s health concerns, but will also help influence the decisions of everyone in the food industry – restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors, and farmers. As Chefs and food professionals we interact with these people on a daily basis and therefore have the power to create change.

When you sign up to join GMO Free Zone you will receive a welcome-email with several concrete steps you can take to begin acting to stop GMOs.

Remember that we have the power to change! Take the first step and become a member of the Campaign so you can help be a part of the Non-GMO tipping point that is going on in North America. There is no fee to join. We need your help to take us to the next level in the rejection of GM foods in our food supply. Again, you can sign up for this discussion group by going to: http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/gmofreezone

This exclusive biennial event, celebrating the unique food cultures of our country is next scheduled for September 2010 in British Columbia. The BC Congress is the second in a twenty-six year series. It will focus on the health of our oceans and also have a large First Nations presence and focus. The 2010 Congress will bring together over six hundred chefs from across Canada. Participants will savour an exceptional showcase of regional cuisine, with local fisher and farmer participation, including talks and tours.

Just a reminder that the Canadian Chefs’ Congress is coming fast! We’ll be closing the online registration on Friday, September 19 at 5:00 pm EST. If you wish, you may still register at the farm, just remember – at the farm we cannot accept credit cards. You may pay in person with cash or cheque only. If you choose to take advantage of one of the roughly 30 remaining seats on the bus from the Palais Royale, you’ll also need to bring cash or a cheque. We will have a desk for purchasing water bottles and t-shirts, etc. you will want to bring some cash for those purchases also. The closest bank machine to the farm, is approximately 1/2 an hour away by car.

A lot of you are confused about whether or not you have registered!? Please be aware that you are not registered for the congress unless you pay for your registration! Your registration information is not kept on file unless you pay using PayPal online or make other arrangements.

Registration is set to close at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 19.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for those of you coming from Blue Mountain Resort.

Steffan Howard, Executive Chef of The Palais Royale Ballroom has generously offered for our shuttle bus to embark from the Palais Royale parking lot. The bus will start boarding on Sunday morning, September 21 at 6:00 am. Chef Steffan has also offered to have organic coffee, tea and snacks available for all those taking the shuttle to the Canadian Chefs’ Congress. The Palais Royale Ballroom is located at 1601 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Toronto. The map to the Palais is shown below. You can download a copy by clicking the map.
The steering committee of the Congress would like to offer special thanks to Steffan Howard for his enthusiasm and embracing of the spirit of the Canadian Chefs’ Congress.

Sasha Chapman has written an excellent piece in today’s Globe and Mail that captures the spirit of our Congress.
Click Here to have a read online.