Natural Resources
Fisheries and Aquaculture
October 29, 2014
Encouraging the Development of Innovation in Agrifoods
From This Rock Culinary Tour Makes its Way Across the Island with Provincial Government Support
From This Rock, the travelling culinary tour which started in Port aux Basques on October 16, is drawing great crowds across the province with an average of 100 people at each venue. The tour ends in St. John’s on November 1. Guests are treated to a multi-course dinner prepared by a culinary team of some of the province’s best chefs.
“We recognize that support for the agriculture industry, through events like From This Rock, is essential as we continue in our efforts to diversify the provincial economy. The Provincial Government contributes financially to the industry through a number of programs and also provides in-kind and other services through the Agrifoods Development Branch. There is strong consumer demand for fresh local products, including berries and vegetables grown by local producers. From This Rock is a unique way to bring those products to an appreciative audience. It’s also a great way to showcase some of the produce that is readily available in this province.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
The Department of Natural Resources provided staff support to help to promote and organize the event and is also providing a financial contribution of $7,500 to purchase local produce. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture also provided staff support and donated all seafood used in the tour, including mussels, cod, yellowtail flounder, and shrimp which is sourced from local processors and valued at more than $6,000.
“The Provincial Government has taken steps to improve the availability of locally harvested seafood at restaurants throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, many of which are gaining national and international acclaim for the dishes they prepare. It is important to take full advantage of this show, as it is an excellent platform for showing the high quality food products available in this province. I call on all participants to be strong ambassadors for those products during and after the show.”
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
The culinary tour is sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This year we will serve on average 100 people per venue, at nine venues. The point of this massive undertaking is simple and yet so important. We want to promote the people who supply our food, who cook our food and who are in the business of providing us with restaurants where we eat, celebrate and come together. We want to celebrate our food, our cuisine, our culture and communities, while showing people the new range of foods available here and the exciting things that can be done with that food. We want to highlight the importance of the food industry to the sustainability and growth of both our rural communities and tourism. And we want people to leave our dinners full and happy, as ambassadors of our local food.”
- Nancy Brace, Executive Director, Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
For more information on From This Rock, please visit www.edining.ca/ 
QUICK FACTS
- From This Rock, the travelling culinary tour which started in Port aux Basques on October 16, is drawing great crowds across the province with an average of 100 people at each venue.
- The tour ends in St. John’s on November 1.
- Guests are treated to a multi-course dinner prepared by a culinary team of some of the province’s best chefs.
- From This Rock is sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- In addition to staff support, the Department of Natural Resources contributed $7,500 for local produce, and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture contributed seafood valued at more than $6,000.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733; 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
|
Nancy Brace Executive Director Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-765-8483 Admin@ranl.ca |
2014 10 29 12:15 p.m.