Canadian Relais and Châteaux Chefs Collaborate on a Cross Country Tasting Menu in Celebration of the 15th Annual Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs August 4, 2018

Tofino, BC, July 31, 2018 - For the 15th anniversary of Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs on Saturday, August 4, 2018, Canadian Relais & Chateaux Chefs: Chef Warren Barr of the Wickaninnish Inn (BC), Chef Francis Wolf of Manoir Hovey (QUE), Chef Jason Bangerter of Langdon Hall (ON) and Chef Lukas Gurtner of Sonora Resort (BC) are collaborating on a Canadian-inspired cross country tasting menu to be served in their respective restaurants – a true cross-Canada experience.

Relais and Châteaux Chefs will be celebrating along with Canada’s food community: chefs, home cooks, farmers, fishers, writers, ranchers…anyone who loves Canadian ingredients to declare Food Day Canada/Journée des terroirs, as Canada’s Local Food Day by enjoying Canadian-grown and made food. This will mark the 15th anniversary of the largest national culinary celebration in Canada, Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs, which is always celebrated on the August long weekend.

Culinary author and food activist, Anita Stewart is the founder of Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs. The passionate and very accomplished woman holds the Order of Canada along with many other designations. It all began in 2003, when sanctions were put in place on Canadian beef exports by Canada’s largest trading partners that impacted the Canadian agricultural community negatively. The World’s Longest Barbeque, a massive, Canada-wide event was held to bring awareness to the tariffs and to show support and celebrate the agricultural community. The World’s Longest Barbeque was a huge success and according to one spokesperson for Canada Beef, this event “saved the industry”. The event evolved into Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs, an annual mid-summer coast to coast event where Canada’s rich culinary heritage, delicious northern bounty and the best managed food system on the planet is celebrated.

Chef Jason Bangerter, Chef Francis Wolf and Chef Warren Barr have been participating in Food Day Canada/ Journée des terroirs for many years and commit to Canadian cuisine year-round at their restaurants. In 2016, each of the Chefs was a Food Day Canada Gold Award recipient for their outstanding menus. Chef Barr was also the first ever to be awarded the "North Star Award for Continuous Culinary Excellence" by Anita Stewart for his commitment to serving Canadian food.

For being Gold Award recipients, the Chefs were invited to cook at the acclaimed James Beard House in New York City in May 2017 for the "The Flavours of Canada" event showcasing a taste from each chef to bring attention to Canadian cuisine, spirits, wines and beer.. Working together at James Beard inspired the three Relais and Chateaux Chefs to collaborate on a combined menu for Food Day Canada in August 2017, serving the same menu featuring each other’s dishes in their own restaurants across Canada.

For 2018, the idea has expanded to include Chef Lukas Gurtner of Sonora Resort as well as a special gift from each Chef. Each guest enjoying the collaborative menu at either Langdon Hall, Manoir Hovey, Sonora Resort or Wickaninnish Inn will not only experience cross-country culinary tastings but will be given keepsakes from all regions such as, sea buckthorn caramel from Quebec, dried herb and flower team from Ontario, embossed leather coasters and a memory journal from British Columbia.

Food Day Canada not only encourages Canadians to source and cook Canadian ingredients, but it encourages Canadians to look at new Canadian foods and to learn and cook together. It is an inspiring, powerful movement that is building one of the most exciting culinary cultures on earth.

“Canada IS food and the world is richer for it!” ~ Anita Stewart

Food Day Canada Cross Country Tasting Menu

Amuse-Bouche

Dressed Heirloom Tomato
Fresh Cheese, Northern Divine Caviar, Herb Puree, Garlic Crumb
Care of Chef Warren Barr, The Pointe Restaurant, Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, BC

Salish Sea Scallop
Cured Egg Yolk, Beet Root, Cucumber
Care of Chef Francis Wolf of Manoir Hovey, North Hatley, Quebec

Pumpkin Seed and Mascarpone Tortellini
Cheese Rind Consommé, Summer Squash, Basil, Pumpkins Seeds
Care of Chef Lukas of Sonora Resort, Sonora Island

Lamb Roasted on the Bone
Eggplant Purée, Ratatouille Flavours, Herb Braised Tongue
Care of Chef Jason Bangerter of Langdon Hall, Cambridge Ontario

Sea Buckthorn inspired dessert

About Langdon Hall: Langdon Hall is one of 14 properties in Canada recognized by Relais & Châteaux for a standard of excellence. Only one hour from Toronto and 90 minutes from the Niagara area, Langdon Hall is a place for those who admire beautiful things and timeless experiences. The hotel offers 60 luxurious guest suites, a full-service spa, outdoor swimming pool, a Five-Diamond award-winning restaurant with elegant reception rooms, and gorgeous event rooms for weddings, conferences and special events. Surrounded by 75 acres of Carolinian Forest, Olmsted designed gardens, manicured lawns and cultivated displays of color, Langdon Hall is a place where time seems to stand still.

About Manoir Hovey: Located just 90 minutes from Montreal, Manoir Hovey is a five-star Relais & Châteaux property on the shores of Lake Massawippi. One of Canada’s most charming and romantic inns, Manoir Hovey was named the #1 Resort Hotel in Canada and #19 on “The 100 Best Hotels in the World” list in Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2016. It also was voted the #1 Hotel in Canada and one of the “50 Best Hotels in the World” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2016. It has 36 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, year-round activities, and hosts weddings, conferences and special events. Its award winning restaurant, Le Hatley, showcases ambitious terroir driven Quebec cuisine and an extensive wine list. Overlooking the lake and surrounded by English gardens, the dining room has a tranquil setting with breathtaking views.

About Sonora Resort: Sonora Island is located within the Discovery Islands at the mouth of Bute Inlet, one of the deepest inlets in North America. Guests reach Sonora Resort by boat or air, approximately 50 minutes by private helicopter from Vancouver. Sonora is a Relais and Chateaux property and unique in the world because of its secluded location, abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, with luxury accommodations and gourmet cuisine. Sonora welcomes guests from May to October each year. The guided grizzly bear tours at the nearby Orford River are offered in partnership with the Homalco First Nation, from August to October. Additional Sonora Resort highlights include a tennis court, conservatory, and the Island Currents Spa with five treatment rooms including a Couple’s massage room, outdoor hot and cold mineral pools, fitness facility and relaxation room. Sonora Resort was recently named to the prestigious 2016 Conde Nast Traveler UK Gold List.