The Taste of Place Summit 2025: Nurturing Communities, Savouring Cultures
The Taste of Place Summit, happening in Markham, Ontario on May 13-14, seeks to elevate culinary tourism across Canada
The Culinary Tourism Alliance is preparing to host the 3rd annual 2025 Taste of Place Summit, Canada’s premier gathering to support the Canadian Culinary & Agritourism Action Plan, on May 13-14 in Markham, Ontario.
What is the Taste of Place Summit?
The Taste of Place Summit brings together culinary and agritourism trailblazers to unlock the positive power of growing culinary tourism. This event is an opportunity to connect with and learn from like-minded people who share a passion to see Canada recognized globally as a delicious destination.
“The goal of the Taste of Place Summit is to help the tourism industry from across Canada learn how to make destinations more exciting for domestic and global visitors through memorable culinary and agritourism experiences,” said Rebecca Mackenzie, president and CEO of the Culinary Tourism Alliance. “Building upon the success of our 2023 and 2024 Summits, we’re thrilled to welcome influential culinary and agritourism leaders to share their expertise and insights with an engaged audience.”
This year’s Summit is taking place on May 13-14 in Markham, Ontario at the Courtyard Toronto Northeast, with thanks to our presenting partners Destination Markham.
What can I expect during the Taste of Place Summit?
The Summit features an exciting two-day schedule for delegates:
May 13 - Day 1:
On the first day, Summit delegates will embark on an adventure to discover Ontario’s tastes of place! Delegates will choose one of four carefully curated learning journeys to experience best-in-class culinary tourism offerings first-hand. Participants will meet the growers, producers, and chefs behind it all, gaining tips and insights along the way.
This year’s delegates can select one of four learning journeys to destinations across Ontario:
Markham
Embark on a curated journey celebrating a vibrant culinary and cultural scene in Markham, just north of Toronto. Begin with a calming tea sampler at a wellness retreat followed by a visit to a bustling marketplace featuring diverse Asian flavours. Enjoy an innovative fusion lunch at a renowned restaurant then explore sustainable farming at a local urban farm. Sample artisanal craft brews and end the day at a culinary hub known for its Japanese-inspired cuisine and specialty shops.
Toronto
This learning journey immerses participants in one of the world’s most dynamic and culturally diverse culinary landscapes. Delegates will explore Toronto’s vibrant food scene, meeting the growers, producers and chefs who embody the city’s “taste of place.” From urban farms to rooftop gardens and sustainable breweries, this journey celebrates the traditions and innovation that make Toronto a global leader in culinary tourism.
Niagara Benchlands
Join us for a day of discovery as we wander in Niagara, where we’ll explore the stories and expertise that underpin this region’s importance to the Canadian wine scene. Set against the backdrop of rolling vineyards and the iconic Niagara Escarpment, this immersive journey will take you to three wineries, where you’ll uncover the passion, dedication, and unique stories behind the region’s world-class VQA wines. From the vineyard to the cellar, this experience is designed to deepen your connection to Niagara’s diverse terroir—think sun-soaked slopes, cool lake breezes, and limestone-rich soils—and offer insights into the artistry and craft of Niagara’s winemakers. It’s more than an exploration; it’s a chance to learn, engage, and savour the remarkable character of Niagara wine country.
Mississauga
Join us for “Reel” food tour in Mississauga, a one-of-a-kind food journey hosted by Aashim Aggarwal, better known to his fans as @seed.eat.repeat! Explore Mississauga’s authentically diverse food scene through the eyes of this popular food influencer and local food tour guide. Savour mouthwatering dishes from local hidden gems while learning how to craft engaging social media content that captivates your audience. Perfect your reel skills, gain insider tips on content creation, and share your unique experience with Visit Mississauga. This immersive tour is the perfect blend of flavours, creativity, and culture, making it an unforgettable adventure for food lovers and content creators alike. Come hungry, leave inspired, and celebrate Mississauga’s vibrant culinary culture!
The Taste of Place Opening Night Reception
On May 13th, delegates are also invited to our Opening Night Reception to celebrate a Taste of Markham, with delicious food from QJD Peking Duck Restaurant, Ontario wines, beers, and ciders on offer, and entertainment all evening.
May 14 - Day 2:
On the second day, delegates will gather for a full day of Main Stage panel discussions and compelling keynotes that are designed to inspire Canada’s culinary and agritourism leaders.
Our lineup of speakers and discussion panels will give delegates insights and inspiration to unleash the power of growing culinary and agritourism in their operations and destinations. The sessions are peppered with lots of opportunities to learn and network. The Main Stage program will be presented in both official languages.
Speakers and panelists include Steve Dolinsky, a 13-time James Beard Award winner and author of Pizza City, U.S.A. and The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide; Patrick St-Vincent, co-founder of La Table Ronde; Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond, British Columbia’s fourth-largest city; Renée Suen, food and lifestyle contributor and Mid-USA and Mid-Canada Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants; Robert Belcham, one of Vancouver’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs; Domenic Padula, Chef, Culinary Entrepreneur, and Owner of Dining on the Ocean Floor (one of Forbes’ Top 10 Bucket List Dining Experiences!). More speakers and panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.
How to participate in the 2025 Taste of Place Summit
Tickets to the Taste of Place Summit include the learning journeys and welcome reception on May 13 and a full day of programming on May 14.
Early bird tickets are on sale until February 28th, so buy early to secure early bird pricing!
For more information, to buy tickets and for sponsorship opportunities and partners, visit tasteofplace.ca.
Thank you to our partners for their support!
About the Culinary Tourism Alliance:
The Culinary Tourism Alliance is a non-profit committed to connecting tastemakers across Canada and around the world to spark delicious developments in culinary tourism. With an established expertise in culinary tourism development, the Culinary Tourism Alliance seeks to ensure that authentic tastes of place become a significant economic driver for communities and regions, and a primary way for travellers to enrich their experience. To learn more, follow @CulinaryTourismAlliance on Instagram or visit www.culinarytourismalliance.com.
