The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance had a taste of Niagara College on a tour this spring.
On May 11, President Sean Kennedy, Vice-President Academic Fiona Allan, and Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice President Research and External Relations guided the Minister on a tour of the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They were joined by Dean of the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Craig Youdale and Dean of Business, Tourism and Environment, Al Unwin.
MP’s Vance Badawey and Chris Bittle, as well as Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati took part in the Minister’s visit.
Minister Boissonnault explored NC’s trailblazing Teaching Winery, Brewery, and Distillery led by General Manager NCLEC, Steve Gill, and Manager of Hospitality and Events, Chetan Chandratre. The Minister had a look at some of NC’s award-winning beverages at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre. Chandratre also featured non-alcoholic beverages, including BrowNayle, a student-crafted 0.5% low alcohol beer for Project Brew, and Sobri 0.1% alcohol gin and tequila which had the help of NC’s Research and Innovation division to get to market.
Dr. Nantel noted NC’s extraordinary expertise in research, helping companies in the region in sectors like advanced manufacturing, agri-food, sustainability and more, with business commercialization support.
Yesterday we had the privilege of hosting the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance @R_Boissonnault and giving him a taste of #Niagara while touring the @CanadianFWI. pic.twitter.com/8ak0nFYF9l
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) May 12, 2022
“Since day one, Niagara College has supported industry here,” explained Badawey, noting advanced manufacturing projects through NC’s Research and Innovation division. Badawey also highlighted sustainability and restoration efforts for the Ontario Great Lakes Strategy, a restoration effort in which students and faculty in the School of Environment are involved.
On the terrace of the Wine VEC, Minister Boissonnault heard about NC’s partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Geopark which is actively seeking UNESCO Global Geopark designation by 2023 to advance sustainable tourism in the area.
Minister Boissonnault went on to the Canadian Food and Wine Institute to meet culinary students – many of whom were on campus for the first day of their programs – and explore NC’s signature charcuterie, culinary and baking labs.
The Minister engaged in a discussion with President Kennedy and Dean Youdale about culinary tourism which is a draw to the Niagara region. The CFWI has appeared on the culinary world stage, from the Junior Culinary Team Canada and faculty who have coached top Canadian chefs, all which speak volumes to the quality of our programs.
Chef professor Avi Hollo walked the Minister through the home-grown charcuterie lab, showcasing student-crafted pickles, sauerkraut, salsa, cured meats and honey from the campus apiary (and students in NC’s Commercial Beekeeping program).
Professor Carol Heafey invited the Minister to meet first-year Baking and Pastry Arts students in her Baking Essentials class. Heafey gave an introduction to shaping baguettes, loaves and bread rolls.
When engaging students, Minister Boissonnault compared France to Canada. He explained that tourism accounts for eight per cent of the GDP in France, but only two per cent in Canada. He inspired culinary students to consider how they will play an important role in Niagara’s efforts to attract four times more visitors over the next two decades.
Through tourist attractions, events and festivals, Niagara draws more than 13 million tourists each year. With our program expertise in hospitality and tourism, and home to thousands of international students from more than 100 countries, Minister Boissonnault recognized Niagara College as an important partner in Niagara’s tourism strategy.
