When it comes to Niagara’s culinary scene, each area of the region has a distinct flavour – and Niagara College plans to bring them all to the table for the new year.
NC is firing up the stoves to launch the Celebrate Niagara dinner series for 2026. This unique series of five dinner events, to held at Benchmark restaurant, is set to become a must-attend affair. Each dinner will shine a spotlight on a different area within the Niagara region. Local chefs from multiple, renowned establishments in each area will bring their talents to Benchmark for what promises to be an unforgettable one-night-only event.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to launch this new series. It’s our way of giving a standing ovation to the amazing culinary industry in the Niagara region–the very place where so many of our graduates build their careers and truly make their mark,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of NC’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division. “This isn’t your average dinner – it’s the ultimate Niagara culinary tour without ever leaving your seat.”
Each event will shine a spotlight on a different location in Niagara and bring up to 10 visiting chefs from four or five celebrated establishments within that locale to the Benchmark kitchen.
The series is designed to be a showcase for the industry, while giving students new opportunities to sharpen their skills beyond what they learn in their classes and labs.
“This incredible series allows us to actively support our community while providing gold-standard, applied learning experiences for our current students,” said Youdale. “The dinner series is one of our many events that profoundly enhances the learning our students gain in our classrooms and labs.
“While our Culinary students work shoulder-to-shoulder with visiting chefs in our kitchen, getting a rare opportunity to sample many different professional settings in a single evening, our Hospitality students gain valuable experience front-of-house.”
Youdale noted that while the division hosts numerous events, the variety of top Niagara talent this new series will bring from across the region will set this one apart.
“We’ve never hosted a series quite like this before,” he said. “It is truly an opportunity to raise the bar for culinary education.”
Save the dates
Mark your calendars for these Celebrate Niagara events planned for 2025, each one featuring a distinct Niagara locale.
March 12: Niagara Falls
Experience the wonder of this Niagara destination that draws visitors from around the world. Participants include Bitter Sweet and Symphony, Casa Mia Ristorante, Fallsview Casino Resort, Niagara Food Specialties, Niagara Parks, and Tide and Vine Oyster House.
April 9: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Savour the flavours of wine country excellence with participants from Peller Estates Winery and Restaurant, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Treadwell Cuisine, and Vintage Hotels.
May 7: Lincoln and West Niagara
Celebrate Niagara’s agricultural heartland from the Twenty Valley to Beamsville Bench with Good Earth Food and Wine Co, Redstone Winery and Restaurant, Revalee, and Vineland Estates Winery.
May 21: St. Catharines
Don’t miss the diverse food scene of the garden city from the downtown core and beyond with Bolete, Fat Rabbit, Niagara Food Company, and Wellington Court.
To be announced: Welland
Celebrate Niagara would not be complete without the rose city – home to NC’s Welland Campus. Details and participants will be announced during the new year.
A limited number of tickets will be available and they are expected to sell fast. Tickets will go on sale in January. Watch InsideNC for updates.
