Southern Vermont Food Summit

Southern Vermont Food Summit

Businesses and individuals with an interest in Vermont food and the promotion of culinary tourism, particularly in southern Vermont are invited and encouraged to attend the Southern Vermont Food Summit sponsored in part by the Windham Foundation, Honora Winery the Hermitage and Southern Vermont RMP

This summit will occur at The Hermitage Inn in West Dover on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and will explore culinary tourism as a "Catalyst for Community Identity & Economic Development".

Vermont has emerged as a leader in America's new food culture and is at the forefront of offering wholesome, fresh, safe food. Culinary education and culinary travel is a four-season activity. The increasing dollars being spent on culinary education and culinary travel, including cooking demonstrations and classes, creative dining experiences, food festivals, winery visits and food quests for regional specialties is an exciting and largely untapped opportunity for tourism in Vermont.

This Summit is the first in a series to discuss culinary tourism issues and the benefits and challenges it offers. The goal will be to help define Southern Vermont's Culinary Tourism potential and to develop successful initiatives based on best practices in the industry.

Topics/Speakers include: Roger Allbee, Secretary of Agriculture, Vermont Food: What Vermont Has to Offer; Katrina White, Board Member of The International Culinary Tourism Association: What is Culinary Tourism and what are the benefits; Jim Trezise, President, NY Grape & Wine Foundation, Best Practices Presentation of UnCork NY!; Lynn Barrett, President, Primetime Concepts, Inc., Marketing Concept for Southern Vermont Culinary Tourism

Southern Vermont’s chambers of commerce have been working collaboratively to explore this topic and develop this summit.

The cost of attendance is $25 which includes a specially prepared lunch by The Hermitage and will be followed by a social hour gathering. RSVP to Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce 464-8092

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce – Laura Sibilia

Phone: 1-802-464-8092

Email: info@visitvermont.com