Canadian Chef Educators in PEI

A summer get away to PEI is never a bad thing.  And when the Canadian Chef Eduacators Association held their annual conference at the Culinary Institute of Canada (at Holland College ) I was excited and eager to attend.  Visions of fishing and potatoes and Anne of Green Gables occupied my thoughts and I was not disappointed.

We arrived to be greeted by the college team and were "shucked in" to the island - this is a tradition where you slurp an oyster, down a shooter of local shine and then kiss the potatoe!  You are now an official visitor and friend of PEI.

The highlight of the conference (there were so many great aspects it's hard to narrow it down to one!) was the tasting menu dinner featuring Michael Smith as the guest speaker.  Michael Smith speaks so eloquently about culinary training and the importance of "teaching food" to students.  He is such a wonderful ambassador for his home province and the food industry.  The menu was extensive and included wine pairing with each course.  Followed by a book signing

Flavours of PEI is a collection of recipes written by three of the chef instructors at the Holland College.  The forward is by Michael Smith.  At last year's Culinary Book Awards this book won the gold.  A definite must have for any culinary collection.

Thank you to the organizers of the conference for a superb taste of PEI!