Terroir Symposium Toronto 2016

This was my first year attending the Terroir Symposium, and I got the opportunity to go as the wonderful Voula Halliday‘s guest. As someone who is obsesses with food, this event was so much more then I could have ever expected. It started off first thing in the morning at the AGO (which was an absolute wonderful venue). There was an incredible breakfast of ramen noodles and pork shoulder, pastries, fruit and coffee. Next was on to the first half of the day, which was 3 morning workshops. I chose to attend the photography related ones, which were so informative and well done. There was David Griffen, who is a award winning food photographer based in Cornwall UK, then Penny De Los Santos, who is a NYC based food and travel photographer, the third workshop was a Toronto based award winning food stylist, Mr Noah Witenhoff. While the ones I attended were going on there were many others happening at the same time, I wish I could have attended all, but so many things were fit into just one day! There was endless food and wine, amazing people, inspiring talks, wonderful energetic nights out for dinner.

The second day of this event was the most magical part for me though, it was an invite only Terroir rural retreat, at the lovely Ocala Orchards Farm Winery. It was cold and grey, but the palette of food and wonderful company was anything but. Chef’s from all over came together to create a beautiful multi course feast, made from all local sourced food, in the back fields of the winery. Everything was cooked over fire and hot coals, we all ate with our hands, talked, photographed and drank wine. We all piled back on the bus happy and smelling of campfire, it was AMAZING!

I feel more then lucky that I got to be part of such a special event, I have made so many new friends and wonderful connections. It was a very special couple of days that I will never forget, and I hope this is something I can now be part of each year!