Stratford Chefs School
The 34th Season At-A-Glance
An Exciting Year Ahead!
JHGWIR: Chef Andrew George Jr. & Appetite for Words Festival
International Chefs in Residence Announced!
Welcome!: New Board Member David Stones
Appetite For Words: A Literary Festival with a Culinary Twist
The widely-loved Joseph Hoare, former food editor of Toronto Life magazine, has inspired the Appetite for Words Festival, a literary festival with a culinary twist. In conjunction with Stratford Chefs School’s Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer In Residence program and the DigiWriting Stratford Writers Festival, the Appetite for Words Festival will run from October 27-29, 2017, and provide attendees with an opportunity to taste the words they are reading.
As Joseph Hoare was immensely supportive of young writers interested in food and gastronomy, the role of the Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence (WIR) is to contribute a more well-rounded education for some of Canada’s best up-and-coming chefs. This goal is achieved by leading workshops on food writing, providing students with gastronomic consultations, and sharing knowledge about current food culture. As an extension of this program, the Appetite for Words Festival is grounded by the same guiding principles.
To open the festival, guests are invited to “Taste the Tradition” as the 2017 Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence Chef Andrew George Jr. brings traditions of indigenous cuisine, teachings, and culture into the modern world at a scrumptious literary dinner. In the spirit of Joseph Hoare, there will also be an opportunity to attend writing classes with this renowned chef.
A literary dinner with award-winning author Alice Zorn based on her latest novel, Five Roses, pays homage to the culinary history of working-class Montreal and Quebec, while another literary dinner with outspoken Toronto-based restauranteur Jenn Agg will feature a menu inspired by her Black Hoof restaurant and her memoir I Hear She’s a Real Bitch.
Festival attendees can be one of the very first people to receive a copy of award-winning television host and bestselling author Laura Calder's brand new book, The Inviting Life, before it hits bookshelves when they join Laura for a delicious meal at Revival House as she launches her new book.
Literary meals extend beyond dinners, as well. Canadian bloggers and travellers Dana VanVeller and Lindsay Anderson will discuss their latest cookbook, Feast, and their cross-country road trip to find the best dishes Canada has to offer at their literary lunch. Churchill Farms also opens its grounds to the public for a rare opportunity for an open-air discussion with Jonah Campbell on literature, cultural influences, and new perspectives on the way we see food. A ploughman’s style buffet will also be served at this event.
Finally, no culinary festival would be complete without tasting events. A literary cocktail event will take place at Stratford’s Distillery-Junction 56 with a Great Gatsbyinspired theme.
The Appetite for Words Festival will be held at the Stratford Chefs School and other venues around Stratford's downtown core. Tickets cost $15 and up depending on the event. For more information on the Appetite for Words Festival, check out the website http://digiwriting.com/events for updates, or be in touch with DigiWriting via email at festival@digiwriting.com.
DigiWriting is an integrated Book Marketing Agency that helps authors and publishers get exposure and attention for their titles, from book launches and social media start-up/ management, to book reviews and media relations.
JHGWIR: Chef Andrew George Jr.
Raised in the interior of British Columbia (B.C.), Andrew George Jr. grew up with five siblings in Telkwa, in a home with no indoor plumbing or running water. The family harvested trout and salmon in spring and summer, hunted moose, rabbit and deer in autumn and ice fished in winter, he explains in the introduction to Modern Native Feasts. He studied culinary arts at the Vancouver Vocational Institute and began his education in conventional Western cooking. His philosophy of cooking is to choose “local, fresh, natural, organic” products. In a 2014 Post Mediainterview, George explained that Aboriginal cooking is transforming traditional dishes to make them healthier by lowering the salt and fat content.
Chef George has instituted cooking programs in schools in Surrey, B.C. and run summer camps to teach kids how to cook in a healthy way.
On the international scene, George was Head Chef at the Four Host First Nations pavilion during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and one of 24 international chefs asked to participate in the Culinary Diplomacy: Promoting Cultural Understanding Through Food event presented by the U.S. State department in 2012. George also authored Feast! Canadian Native Cuisine for All Seasons (Doubleday, 1997), Feast for All Seasons: Traditional Native Peoples’ Cuisine (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2010).
Events Schedule:
A Free Public Lecture
Monday, October 23, 7:00-8:00pm, Palmerston Theatre, 560 Palmerston Ave, Toronto
A Look into Canada’s Original Cuisine
Friday, October 27, 6:30-9:00 pm, Stratford Chefs School Kitchens, 136 Ontario Street, Stratford
Master Theory Class with Chef Andrew George Jr.
From the Classroom to the Kitchen
Saturday, October 28, 1:30-3:00 pm & 3:30-5:00 pm, Stratford Chefs School Learning Centre, 184 Ontario Street, Stratford
International Chef in Residence: Cristina Bowerman
Cristina Bowerman, one of the few Italian women chef awarded a Michelin star and other prestigious awards, was born in Italy in Cerignola, in the province of Foggia (Apulia).
After graduating in Law in 1992 she left Puglia for the United States, to San Francisco. In California she alternated forensic studies and graphic design to working at Higher Grounds, a coffee house in San Francisco where she developed her passion for cooking, that she had always cultivated largely due to her mother's and grandmother’s teachings.
Continue reading Cristina Bowerman's biography
Dinner dates: January 23rd - 27th, 2018
International Chef in Residence: Matias Aldasaro
Since 2008 as Executive Chef of the Casa del Visitante, Pan y Oliva, and Piedra Infinita Cocina of Familia Zuccardi, Maipú, Mendoza.
Between 2003 and 2007, he developed his professional career in Spain, more precisely in Palma of Mallorca, working in the kitchen of various establishments, such as: the Hotel Grupotel Acapulco Playa, the Restaurant “Foravila” del Hotel Arabella Sheraton Resort & Spa, the Restaurant “Plat D’or” (Una Estrella Michelín) of the Hotel Arabella Sheraton Golf Hotel Son Vida and the Restaurant “Son Muntaner Golf” del Arabella Golf & Spa Resort. In the last restaurant, he was Executive Chef. During his stay in Spain, he won second place in the Cook of the Year competition, overlooked by Martín Berasategui (Three Star Michelin).
Continue reading Matias Aldasaro's biography
Dinner Dates: January 30th - February 3rd, 2018
Welcome to New Board Member: David Stones
The Stratford Chefs School Board of Directors is very excited to welcome David Stones to the Board. David has held a range of senior executive positions in each of the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including serving as President and CEO of both Childhood Cancer Canada and his own consulting agency, The Stones Group.
Currently on two Boards, David has worked with 15 Boards over the past 20 years and has recently completed strategic plans for the Stratford Perth Museum, Stratford Summer Music and Stratford Chefs School. David’s experience in the areas of business development and strategy include: strategic issues management, team building and incentive programs, fund development, marketing, communications, and strategic planning.
Outside of the boardroom, David is an avid golfer, published poet, performer, amateur sommelier and experienced and inventive home chef.
34th Season Opener
Stratford Chefs School 34th Season Opener
Friday, Oct 20, 2017, 07:00 PM
Stratford Chefs School - Kitchens, 136 Ontario Street, Stratford, ON, Canada
Stratford Chefs School
Stratford Chefs School is a not-for-profit career college focused on the innovative, hands-on training of high quality, aspiring chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
Stratford Chefs School is supported by Employment Ontario and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Charitable No. 119199958 RR0001
Photography by Terry Manzo
Email: admin@stratfordchef.com
Website: www.stratfordchef.com
Location: 192 Ontario Street, Stratford, ON, Canada
Phone: 519.271.1414
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StratfordChefsSchool
Twitter: @StratfordChef