Pictured above: Culinary Management graduate Scott McInerney, chef professor Olaf Mertens and chef Juan Carlos Ordonez prepare a meal in Ecuador.
Ecuador is getting a taste of Canada, thanks to Niagara College, its International department and the Canadian Food and Wine Institute.
Chef professor Olaf Mertens and Scott McInerney, a graduate of NC’s Culinary Management program who is bridging into the second year of the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology program, departed for Ecuador on June 24 with NC’s International department. They have been hosting tastings throughout the week and teaching about Canadian cuisine at the Instituto Superior de Arte Culinario.
On June 28, they will prepare a special Canada Day-themed meal at an event held in cooperation with the Canadian Embassy (in Quito), at the Sheraton Hotel in Guayaquil. Mertens and McInerney will be assisted by students in culinary training from the Instituto Superior de Arte Culinario. Members of the Ecuadorian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce are on the guest list, as well as Canadian expatriates, Canadian student alumni, and diplomats and dignitaries within Ecuador.
Developed by Mertens and McInerney, the menu aims to represent Canadian culinary culture and educational opportunities at NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute.
“This is great to see our staff and students showcasing Canada and Canadian cuisine on an international level and bringing the message of CFWI and NC programs to South America,” said Craig Youdale, acting dean of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute.
The opportunity was arranged through NC’s International department and its Be World Ready program. Maxine Semple, NC’s study and work abroad advisor, noted that the event has been in the works since last year. Semple, who is a graduate of NC’s International Commerce and Global Development degree program, completed her Canadian International Development Agency internship at the Ecuadorian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Guayaquil from July to October 2012. Before departing Ecuador to work for NC’s International department, she was asked by the chamber to help them create an opportunity for a chef and student from NC to prepare a Canada Day dinner for a 2013 event. Since her return, she has been working with Youdale and Ogryzlo to support sending a chef and student to Ecuador to prepare the Canada Day meal.
Semple said the event ties directly into NC’s Be World Ready initiative as it is helps provide unique experiential learning opportunities to our staff and students of NC.
“Through these international opportunities we are able to support our initiative in creating world-ready graduates from NC,” she said. “This particular opportunity is fantastic because, as the saying goes, one of the best ways to share a culture is through its food. Niagara College Canada will truly be sharing our wonderful Canadian culture this evening in Ecuador through Olaf and Scott.”
Mertens and McInerney return to Canada on June 30.
View photos on the Canadian Food and Wine Institute’s Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.525816924133882.1073741869.228729953842582&type=1&l=91f9e159ee
