What an amazing weekend!

Thanks to all who attended, participated and supported the first Canadian Chefs' Congress we had the most amazing weekend! Many who've emailed us have said that this Congress has helped transform the way they're approaching their work. We couldn't have asked for more. In the next few weeks we'll be changing the format of the website and adding new and breaking information. We hope you'll continue to look for our upcoming events and announcements too. Please subscribe to our FeedBlitz news feed and we'll make sure you get updates. In the meantime feel free to post your comments on the blog and we'll take your suggestions and comments in mind for the next Congress. Also, if you're interested in making a bid for the next Canadian Chefs' Congress in 2010 we'll be posting the call soon.

Blue Mountain Resort SHUTTLE INFO

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

Our volunteers will be making two runs FROM Blue Mountain to the Congress on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 at 10:00 am and 11:00 am. Return shuttles to the Blue Mountain Resort will run in the evening at around 11:30 pm (To Be Arranged details will be announced at the congress.)

On MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 we will be running the shuttles at 8:00 am, in time for your presence at the breakfast. A shuttle will run at the end of the event for those of you who need to get back to the Blue Mountain Resort. (To Be Arranged details will be announced at the congress.)

All schedules of shuttles are subject to change!

Online registration closing September 19 at 5 pm

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

You may register at the Congress on Sunday, September 21. Remember, cash or cheque only - no credit cards. Click here to register online - payment online is by PayPal in Canadian dollars.

Registration is set to close at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 19.
You may register at the Congress on Sunday, September 21. Remember, cash or cheque only - no credit cards.

Important Reminder about Registration

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.

If you think you are registered but didn't keep a copy of your payment confirmation from PayPal, you can email us at congress2008@canadianchefscongress.com to have us check your payment status. Please be aware, we will not have access to the congress email after 5:00 pm EST on Friday, September 19. If you have registered and paid but don't have a record we can check at the registration desk on Sunday, September 21 at the farm.

Three days and counting

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.

An Important Announcement from the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance

Chefs are important ambassadors and educators for healthy, sustainable farming and culinary culture. Good food requires fresh air, clean water and good soil. We will be asking delegates to endorse a statement calling for comprehensive land use protection for our host site and across Canada. The Congress will present this message to the Minister of Tourism for Ontario.

Please visit the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance website by clicking this link. 

For more information please click here to visit the ResTerra Strategies website.

Shuttle Bus news

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 - Globe and Mail article

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.

Register Soon to attend Congress in September!

Registration is NOW open for the Canadian Chefs' Congress.

Registration is $250. Sign up before September 1, 2008 and you'll be automatically entered in a draw for $1,000 worth of AllClad cookware. Click here to register now! 

Eric G. says, "i have been intrigued and excited about the idea of the congress since first hearing about it from 'the oysterman' many months back." and Anita S. says, "Brilliant! Congratulations. It will be a memorable (historic) event!"

This industry only event will be the first of 13 biennial Congresses to be held in every province and territory. A first for Canada!

See the Itinerary posted below. Let's make it a success! 

Click here to register now!

Canadian Chefs' Congress Itinerary announced

Sunday September 21st, 2008
8:00 am — 12:00 noon
Delegates arrive at Eigensinn Farm
Set up camps
Registration

12:00 — to 12:45 pm
13 Chefs on “Best of the Country” stations prepare to serve
Opening ceremony begins
Canada’s national anthem

12:45 pm — 1:00 pm
Michael Stadtländer officially opens 2008 Canadian Chefs’ Congress

1:00 pm — 4:00 pm
“Best of the Country” 13 course meal, service begins
Dessert service begins (2:30)

4:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Break

5:00 pm — 6:30 pm
Jeffery Smith, Keynote Speaker
Question and Answer period from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm

6:30 pm — 7:00 pm
Stage set up for musical entertainment

7:00 pm — 10:30 pm
Paul Kennedy, Master of Ceremonies

Musical artists strut their stuff
Midnight Kitchens Open (9:00 pm)
Fireworks take place (9:30 pm)

10:30 pm 

Bonfire


Monday September 22nd 2008
8:00 am — 10:00 am
“Grey/Bruce County Breakfast” prepared by John Higgins and students of George Brown College Chef School

10:00 am — 2:00 pm
Workshops 

Schedule of Workshops
10:00 am — 11:00 am
Jonathan Forbes “Wild Foods”
Robert Clark “Aquaculture in Canada”
Andrew Laliberté “Future of Canadian Wine”

11:00 am — 12:00 noon
Jeffery Smith “Genetically Modified Organisms”
Brent Petkau, Patrick McMurray, Andre Mallet “The Oyster”
David Cohlmeyer “Why is Canadian food so cheap?”

12:00 noon — 1:00 pm
Petra Cooper “Artisan Cheese production”
Fred Morin TBA
Jamie Kennedy and Paul DeCampo “Slow Food”

1:00 pm
Michael Stadtländer “The importance of local food and the relevance of the Canadian Chefs’ Congress”

2:00 pm — 4:00 pm
Ontario Harvest Lunch

4:30 pm — 5:30 pm
Closing ceremonies

Canada North Dinners

Canada North is a project of the Canadian Chefs' Congress that pairs chefs from each of Canada's northern territories with our selected chefs at their restaurants in Singhampton and Toronto, Ontario, on September 17th and 18th, 2008. Click here to download a copy of the postcard .

Map to Eigensinn Farm

You can download the map to Eigensinn Farm by clicking here.

Remember to wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Our fundraiser takes place outdoors rain or shine. Many of you missed the note on signing up for the fundraiser, that your receipt is your ticket. Please bring a copy to the fundraiser.