Chef Billy Alexander joins Culinary Tourism Alliance as Director of Programs
Toronto, ON - The Culinary Tourism Alliance is pleased to announce that Chef Billy Alexander, celebrated chef and ambassador for Indigenous foodways, has joined the Culinary Tourism Alliance as Director of Programs.
“I am thrilled about joining the Culinary Tourism Alliance team and continuing to help build and highlight culinary tourism. After 20+ years as an Executive Chef building tourism operations within a singular lens, I am so excited for this career progression that provides me the opportunity to widen that lens and help so many others tell their stories through a culinary tourism lens” said Alexander.
Billy Alexander is a world-renowned and globally trained Indigenous chef, tourism ambassador, cultural pundit, and social advocate. His illustrious accomplishments and positions include national television appearances, Founding Chair of Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations; Culinary Development Chef for WestJet; recipient of Canadian Culinary Excellence Award; Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40; Advisory board Not 9 to 5; Founding Chair Ontario Indigenous Food Tourism Table; as well former National Culinary Strategist for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, and current mentor to countless youth. Learn more about Billy Alexander here.
Chef Alexander will be spearheading the Feast On® Program, as well as other programming initiatives designed to assist the industry at large in leveraging the power of culinary tourism.
“Throughout all the existing and new programs that will be offered by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, it is our goal to showcase all aspects of the delicious and diverse landscape while bridging the gap between food & drink and travel industries. I am really looking forward to getting to know all our past, present and future stakeholders as they all have unique and important stories” said Alexander.
As part of this evolution, former Program Manager Valerie Keast will move into the new role of Director of Business Development. In her new role, she will lead the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s professional services and continue to assist destinations around the world creating and implementing meaningful food and drink tourism strategies.
"I welcome this new challenge and look forward to working closely with Billy and his team to grow the CTA network and programming over the coming years," said Keast.
The Culinary Tourism Alliance continues to be an industry-led, innovation-driven organization committed to community-based approaches; diversity and inclusion; and partnership, while creating meaningful change in the tourism, hospitality and agriculture industries.
About Feast On
Feast On® is a certification program that recognizes businesses committed to sourcing and celebrating Ontario grown food & drink.
About the Culinary Tourism Alliance
The Culinary Tourism Alliance is a not-for-profit committed to bridging the gap between the food & drink and travel industries. Our vision is to ensure food tourism is a meaningful and sustainable contributor to local economies in destinations worldwide.
MEDIA CONTACT
Agatha Podgorski
Director, Marketing
agatha@culinarytourismalliance.com