As we near the official start of the next season, we take a pause to reflect on the eventful Fall 2023 that we enjoyed at Canada’s Smartest Kitchen. Staff activities and highlights include:
- CSK staff coordinated and participated in the Culinary Federation PEI’s “Chef’s Island” event
- Alex & Arisha traveled to Philadelphia for Natural Products Expo East, representing our collaborative applied research project on the sustainability of Atlantic Canada Kelp industry
- Eliott traveled to Ontario to support the scale up trials of a Prince Edward Island client
- Staff provided hands on training and mentorship to our second year Culinary Arts intern
- We welcomed two tour groups from the Seniors College of Prince Edward Island, for an information session, visit around CSK and Cavendish Farms facilities, and a hands-on food product development showcase
- We supported multiple on-site technical chef service events and meetings with clients
- Staff participated in a number of local and regional industry workshop & networking opportunities, including the inaugural PEI Ecosystem “The Summit”; Skills PEI ‘Try A Trade’ youth professional development session; Food and Beverage Atlantic’s Annual Meeting & Awards Gala; and both Food Xcel December 2023 workshops.
- We conducted community sensory activities, including two take-home kits related to our Kelp applied research project and an open-call consumer survey related to functional chocolate products.
- We collaborated with partner groups, including visiting open house and hosting information sessions with Culinary Institute of Canada, Holland College – Prince of Wales, Innovation PEI and BioFoodTech
- We prepared an annual holiday take away meal for over 140 CMHA Fitzroy Centre staff & clients from their donated ingredients from local suppliers and producers
We are so grateful for the abundance of comradery in our team and Canada’s Food Island community and look forward to the further food & beverage innovative adventures ahead in the new year!