Events spotlight Niagara Falls, NOTL, West Niagara, St. Catharines and Welland
Niagara College has launched a new dinner series that highlights distinct areas of the region while celebrating Niagara as a world-class dining destination.
The Celebrate Niagara series will launch with five signature events held at Benchmark restaurant. Each evening will bring together local chefs from multiple renowned establishments within a distinct area of the region – each presenting a different course of the meal, offering guests a unique dining experience akin to dining at multiple establishments in a single evening.
The series debuts with Niagara Falls on March 12 and will continue with Niagara-on-the-Lake on April 9, Lincoln and West Niagara on May 7, St. Catharines on May 21, and a Welland date to be announced soon. Each featured restaurant will take on a different course of the meal
“This new series was born out of a desire to celebrate the incredible culinary talent we have right here in our backyard where so many of our graduates build their careers,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division. “By having chefs from a specific area of the region collaborating in our kitchen, we are offering guests a rare dining experience that serves up a tour of multiple dining hotspots without having to leave their seats.”
While the series serves as a showcase for industry, it also provides the ingredients for student success, creating new opportunities to sharpen their skills and expand their professional network.
“This is a homage to the Showcase of Chefs of Niagara dinner series over 20 years ago and we look forward to raising the bar for our students,” said Youdale.
The Benchmark kitchen will be a hive of activity as guest chefs and their staff join the Benchmark team alongside 15 to 20 students expected to be involved in each event. While culinary students work shoulder-to-shoulder with visiting chefs behind the scenes in the pressure-cooker kitchen environment, hospitality students will be front and center gaining valuable experience in high-end service.
The inaugural event, Celebrate Niagara: Niagara Falls on March 12 offers guests a taste of the “honeymoon capital” with guest chefs from Bittersweet Symphony, Casa Mia Ristorante, Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Parks, Niagara Food Specialties, and Tide & Vine Oyster House.
Omer Yazaroglu, Director of Culinary Services at Niagara Parks, said they were proud to participate in the inaugural event celebrating the dynamic culinary community of Niagara Falls.
“Our partnership with Niagara College reflects our shared commitment to showcasing the exceptional creativity, ingredients, and craftsmanship that define our region. At Niagara Parks, we place a strong emphasis on supporting local food and beverage producers, and this event provides a perfect opportunity to highlight the flavours and partnerships that make Niagara so unique,” said Yazaroglu. “I would like to thank Niagara College for inviting us to be part of this special evening and for the important role they play in guiding and shaping the next generation of culinary professionals.”
Chef Claudio Mollica of Casa Mia Ristorante is also looking forward to participating in the dinner series, celebrating the region’s culinary excellence.
“I am honoured to take part in this distinguished event. Having been involved in a Chef Showcase at the [former] Dunn Street campus many years ago, this opportunity holds special meaning in my culinary journey,” said Mollica. “For 42 years, Casa Mia has proudly contributed to Niagara’s dining landscape. Inspired by founder Chef Luciana Mollica’s enduring commitment to excellence, we remain dedicated to refining our craft and working closely with local suppliers and growers.”
Chefs Pawan Lullu and Niti Ruparel of Bittersweet Symphony, who are both graduates of NC’s Culinary Management program, are looking forward to returning to their alma mater for the event.
“Niagara College has always been incredibly supportive of our journey, and we truly value the foundation and encouragement we received there. Being able to return and participate in such a meaningful event feels like coming full circle,” said Lullu.
To end the evening on a memorable note, they will create a Strawberry Silk – Vanilla bean strawberry Chantilly mousse dessert.
“We are excited to bring a dessert that reflects both creativity and a sense of place, and truly represents our forte,” said Lullu. “We’re proud to contribute to an event that showcases the strength and collaboration within Niagara’s culinary community.”
The series will continue with Celebrate Niagara: Niagara-on-the-Lake on April 9. Guests can savour the flavours of wine country, known as “the loveliest town in Canada,” with participants from Garrison House, Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Treadwell Cuisine, and Vintage Hotels.
On May 7, Celebrate Niagara: Lincoln and West Niagara will highlight the agricultural heartland of Lincoln and West Niagara with guest chefs from the Good Earth Food and Wine Co., Redstone Winery and Restaurant, Revalee, and Vineland Estates Winery.
Celebrate Niagara: St. Catharines on May 21, will shift the focus to the diverse food scene of the “garden city” with Bolete, Fat Rabbit, Niagara Food Company, and Wellington Court.
The series will conclude with Celebrate Niagara: Welland welcoming guest chefs from “the rose city,” home to NC’s Welland Campus. Details will be announced during the weeks ahead.
All events in the Celebrate Niagara series will take place at Benchmark restaurant beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are now available while supplies last via Eventbrite:
Chef Signature Series – Celebrate Niagara – Niagara Falls Edition
Chef Signature Series – Celebrate Niagara – Niagara-on-the-Lake Edition
Chef Signature Series – Celebrate Niagara – Niagara West Edition
Chef Signature Series – Celebrate Niagara – St. Catharines Edition
