OTTAWA-Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond will present, for the first time, the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table on Wednesday June 23, 2010 at 6 p.m., during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. A media briefing session will take place prior to the ceremony, at 4 p.m.
Proposed in 2006 by His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts in improving the quality, variety and sustainability of all elements and ingredients of our nation's table.
Schedule of the events:
4 p.m.
Media briefing session
Staff members from the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General will give a short briefing session to explain the award and will give, under embargo, the list of the 2010 recipients.
4:30 p.m.
Media preview
His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond and Ms. Janet Dorozynski, Chair of the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table Advisory Committee, will deliver short remarks to the media in order to introduce the award. Media will then have the opportunity to meet with the 2010 laureates. They will also have the chance to taste some of the culinary creations prepared by the Rideau Hall kitchen. Mr. Lafond and Ms. Dorozynski, as well as the laureates, will be available for interviews.
6 p.m.
Presentation ceremony of the Governor General's Awards in Celebration of the Nation's Table
The Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table will be presented by Their Excellencies. Awards will be given in six different categories. The coat of arms of the new award will also be granted during the event. The Governor General, Mr. Lafond and the recipients will deliver remarks.
About the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table
"A table is not simply a place to tantalize the taste buds. Whether it is in Charlottetown, Regina, Uculet, Rankin Inlet or Port Dalhousie, it is a place to meet and share conversation, a place where ideas meld as easily as the flavours. It is where Canadians of all ages, cultural backgrounds and fields of experience gather around to share their hopes, their fears and their dreams; a place where our collective stories are told and passed from one generation to the next."
His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, 2010
The idea of the award was first proposed in 2006 by His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond at Cuvée, in Niagara. It was then discussed in a series of cross-Canada consultations with farmers, chefs, cheese makers, researchers, culinary festival organizers, tea makers, teachers, students, hospitality professionals, writers, sommeliers, fishers, hunters and winemakers. Their feedback and enthusiasm were integral to the development of the award.
The award highlights the connection from farm to table and reinforce the bonds between all members of our society. It is based on values rather than sales figures, tasting notes, competition medals or critics' reviews, and are intended to reach out to Canadians across the country and inspire them to think differently about what they buy, eat and drink.
The nomination and adjudication process is overseen by an advisory committee of experts from across the country. There are five award categories that recognize achievement in creativity and innovation, education and awareness, leadership, mentorship and inspiration, and stewardship and sustainability. A sixth category, youth, recognizes a young person with potential to inspire peers to become contributors to the nation's table.
Each award recipient receives a lapel pin and a framed certificate bearing the heraldic shield of the Governor General's Award in Celebration of the Nation's Table.
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Media who wishes to attend the briefing session and the media preview must confirm with Julie Rocheleau before June 22.
Media who want to attend the ceremony must arrive at Princess Anne Entrance no later that 5:45 p.m.
Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
jrocheleau@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
