March 13, 2019 Corner Brook—The Qalipu Business Network will host its seventh annual business forum on Tuesday, March 26 in Stephenville.
The Forum will focus on culinary experience development and highlight offerings created by Experience Qalipu and its partners. The one-day event will include a blend of presentations from traditional knowledge keepers, local entrepreneurs and Indigenous chefs.
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) joins as a major event partner this year by offering its Bay St. George campus facilities and expertise. Students in the college’s Cook program will work alongside Master Chef Joseph Shawana and food foraging expert Lori McCarthy to engage delegates in an interactive culinary experience. An evening reception will see participants gather at Secret Cove Brewery in Port au Port for a meal featuring traditional Indigenous ingredients that is prepared by chefs.
Experience Qalipu’s Tara Saunders said, “We are thrilled to be partners in this year’s forum, and know that the delegates will walk away with a better understanding of how to create an authentic experience for their visitors. We have had so much interest in this culinary forum that we are confident it will become an annual event.”
“This significant event will combine two themes near and dear to everyone’s heart – food and culture,” said Wayne Quilty, CNA’s Director of Partnerships, Entrepreneurships and Community Engagement. “Our relationship with the Qalipu First Nation enables a blending of these themes into a culinary cultural event with a focus on indigenous heritage, culture and opportunities for the future, be it in the culinary trades, tourism or a combination of the two. We are also excited about the fact our students are gaining hands-on experience in a real-life situation. CNA is honoured to partner with the Qalipu First Nation on the development and delivery of this one-of-a-kind event, and we look forward to many more opportunities for the college and First Nations to partner on innovative community initiatives.”
The Business Forum is one of two events featuring culinary innovation and entrepreneurial skills planned for CNA’s Bay St. George campus. During the two days following the Forum, the Navigate Entrepreneurship Program – a joint venture between Grenfell Campus and CNA – will facilitate a two-day business start-up exercise Wednesday and Thursday, March 27-28.
Interested attendees can pre-register for the event by clicking here, or by calling Megan at (709) 634-5479.
Media contacts:
Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
709-634-5163
awhite@qalipu.ca
Michelle Barry
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca
