News

“A Preview of Bigger Things to Come!”

April 19, 2010

“A Preview of Bigger Things to Come!”
The International Centre showcases its Culinary Talent at Toronto’s Annual Wine & Cheese Show.

March 19, 2010, Toronto, ON: Toronto’s annual Wine & Cheese show held at the International Centre successfully marked 27 years of industry excellence for one of the city’s most popular culinary events.

The weekend long festivities showcased a wide variety of wines, beers, spirits and gourmet foods from around the world. Visitors were able to sample and purchase products while having the chance to participate in interactive and educational food and wine seminars. A big hit with visitors was the International Centre’s Beer Kitchen. Hosted by The International Centre’s Executive Chef Joe Levesque and Brew Masters from The Mill Street Brewery, seminars were held all weekend long offering participants a session consisting of five Mill Street Brewed beers paired with two food dishes along with advice for pairing beer with easy-to-prepare meals. “The Beer Kitchen was a sold out success” said International Centre Director of Operations Trevor Lui, “Visitors to the Beer Kitchen said it was the best value they had seen during the entire show”.

New and innovative events were a hit with patrons this year, a strong focus on food and wine pairing gave visitors a fun yet informative learning experience. A main event this year was the Chef and Sommelier Food and Wine Pairing Competition. Guests were invited to taste, enjoy and vote on their favourite dishes from six of Ontario’s top Chefs and Sommeliers. The International Centre’s very own Executive Chef, Joe Levesque’s culinary creations and perfectly paired wines were a hit with the judges who awarded him first prize both days of the competition.

“The outcome of this competition is just a preview of bigger things to come” Lui said, “You could not ask for a better way to kick off The International Centre’s 2010 Wine and Beer Series”. The Wine and Beer Series will feature four Wine and Beer paired events held at the International Centre this June to December. Visitors during the show were able to enter a draw to win complementary tickets to Taste of Niagara, the first event of the series being held on June 10th. Consisting of a five Course Dinner paired with five Wines all from the Niagara region this event is sure to spark excitement for what will be a savoury and enjoyable culinary experience.

“The success of this years Wine & Cheese show came from its mandate to educate the consumer while having fun at the same time” stated Marti Milks, the Wine and Cheese Show’s Show Manager. Understanding the importance of introducing locally grown food and wine gives visitors the chance to truly appreciate what their own regions have to offer. Executive Chef Joe Levesque prides himself on the focus he gives to the local produce in his kitchen and on his menu. The upcoming culinary events at the International Centre will be a hit with any food lover. For more information on how to take part in the upcoming Beer and Wine Series be sure to check out the International Centre’s website for event listings and dates.   

About the International Centre

The International Centre is the leading trade and consumer show venue in North America, and one of Canada’s largest privately owned multi-purpose conference facilities. The International Centre boasts 37 years of success hosting trade and consumer shows; the mainstay of its business. Located at 6900 Airport Road, offering complementary parking for 5,000 vehicles, and surrounded by more than 10,000 hotel rooms, the International Centre is easily accessible from any point in the Greater Toronto Area, and especially for business travelers who arrive at Pearson International Airport, just minutes away. The International Centre is truly ‘at the Centre of great events’.

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Media Contact:
Linda Kafka
Marketing Manager, International Centre
905-678-5586 or lkafka@internationalcentre.com