Pleasure Specialist

Winter Fun

2014-01-24T07:38:00.004-08:00

Busy winter ahead
I am stepping down as co-spokeperson of the DUX program (programmedux.com) and head of the Communications Category jury to take the chair of the DUX Food Forum Ethics and Advisory Committee.
On January 29, am co-hosting the DUX Awards Gala with Johane Despins from L'Épicerie on Radio-Canada with 425 food industry members in attendance at the Science Centre in Montreal. http://tinyurl.com/mpulqrl

Giving keynote address at the conference On regarde vert l'avenir organized by the Conseil québécois de l'horticulture on February 13.

Doing talk on chocolate for our International Community Outreach Program on March 14 (date TBC).

Report out by Option-Consommateur on the content reduction trend, which I served as expert panelist: http://tinyurl.com/my6engq

Sitting on scientific committee on obesity prevention for the Institut national de la santé publique, great group of experts, learning a lot at each meeting.

Presentation on the use of live cases in business education with my colleagues Isabelle Dostaler and Harold Simpkins was just accepted for the ACFAS conference in May which Concordia is hosting this year.

Planning two talks on social media and food: May conference on "Social Networks, Social Media and the Economics of Food" and keynote address at the 17th World Congress of Food Science & Technology in August.

Busy summer, fun filled fall ahead

2013-08-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

Difficult news... Mr. Luc Beauregard passed away. Being the director of a research centre that bears his name is an honour and tall order to fill. I had the privilege of meeting him and working closely with him in launching the Centre. Our meetings were few and short but I learned many valuable lessons from him. My thoughts are with his immediate family and his extended family at National. http://tinyurl.com/llrwm94

Otherwise wrapping up a busy summer and looking forward to a fun filled fall.

Summer started off with doing interviews for the DUX Food Forum at the SIAL in Toronto (April 30-May 2) I have agreed to be the co-spokesperson of for another year for the DUX program, which recognizes efforts by food industry players to move towards a healthier food supply. http://programmedux.com

Had a great time in Banff, May 9-12 giving a talk on food-borne pleasures and foodie-ism at the conference “How Canadians Communicate About Food.” Chapter on how the retail landscape shapes what Canadians eat and how they communicate about food will be included in forthcoming conference book.

Then it was off to Cape Breton University for the annual conference of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education where I received the 3M National Teaching Fellowship which was announced in February: tinyurl.com/bkozw7r Really nice to meet the other inductees. Fun times... and delicious lobster! On the way there, dropped by Truro to speak at Dalhousie's conference on "Connecting Agriculture, Food & Health.

Looking forward to a fun fall semester teaching my Marketing of Food class, lining up live cases. Beginning a promising collaboration with the maple producer union, working to move forward the project of a Food Studies minor at Concordia, co-chairing the annual fundraiser for Youth Employment Services (www.tuneintoyes.com), and lining up a few food-releated talks. All fun stuff !

Full summer ahead

2013-04-17T07:00:00.001-07:00

Just wrapping up a great winter term with students in MBA 610 doing an amazing job on their term project, culminating with their presentation this week to a packed room. Really impressive projects being presented.

Going to the SIAL in Toronto, April 30-May 2, will be with Edikom promoting the DUX award program which I am co-spokesperson of for the 2nd year. The program recognizes efforts by food industry players to move towards a healthier food supply. http://programmedux.com

Then off to Banff, May 9-12 to give a talk on food-borne pleasures and foodie-ism at the conference “How Canadians Communicate About Food.” Running a survey in preparation, exploratory really, you can check it out at: http://jmsbconcordia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6YCZepUxG5VChp3

Quick trip to Quebec City May 29-30 to present at FAST, the Food Advancement through Science and Training summer school. Will be talking about the marketing of functional foods. This is part of the new Réseau d'innovation Aliments & Santé (RIAS, yes we love acronyms in academia) that was just funded by a grant from -- are you ready for this?-- the FQRNT.

Montreal, 30 May, giving a workshop on Personal Branding, at Youth Employment Services (www.yesmontreal.ca), also marking the 10th anniversary of my online course, Marketing Yourself (www.marketingyourself.ca)

Then off to Cape Breton for the Annual Conference of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and receive the 3M National Teaching Fellowship which was announced in February: tinyurl.com/bkozw7r A very humbling experience to receive this recognition... Thanks to all the wonderful mentors, colleagues and students that I have had on my path and who helped me become a better teacher, this honour is shared with all of them. On way to the Cape, dropping by Truro on June 19 to speak at Dalhousie's conference on "Connecting Agriculture, Food & Health.

And in between all of that some jogging and biking and enjoying the great city that is Montreal in the summer.

No winter blues at JMSB !

2013-01-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

The cat's out of the bag: for 3 weeks I have been sworn to secrecy until Maclean's came out with the news: tinyurl.com/bkozw7r A very humbling experience to win this recognition... Thanks to all the wonderful mentors, colleagues and students that I have had on my path and who helped me become a better teacher, this honour is shared with all of them.

Some events this winter term:
1) Montreal,15 March: will be presenting with Edikom CEO and founder Lynn Gosselin at Expo manger santé et vivre vert tinyurl.com/bhqs4ot
2) Quebec City, 19-20 March: will be co-chairing a roundtable on healthy eating at the Grand Rassemblement 2013 of Québec en forme.
3) eScape: Knowledge, Teaching, Technology conference: talking on April 3 about my experience building the award-winning course Marketing Yourself, soon to celebrate its 10th year. More info on the conference: tinyurl.com/baongqp
4) Banff, 9-12 May: giving a talk on food-borne pleasures and foodie-ism at the conference “How Canadians Communicate About Food,”
5) Montreal, 30 May: Personal Branding, presented at Youth Employment Services (www.yesmontreal.ca)

Things are moving at the Luc Beauregard Centre of Excellence in Communications Research. In December, we put out our Call for Proposals and we'll announce the results in March. We have $40,000 of research funds to allocate. Our call for applicants for doctoral fellowships (2 fellowships, each worth $17,500) just went out, you can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/acwb8x2

On January 23^rd, students from the John Molson Marketing Association held a Food Marketing Day. Said a few words to get things under way; what a great turnout with some 150 attendees. Speakers included: Jesse Schwarz (Yo’Dough Cookies), Charles Bierbrier (Bierbrier Brewing Inc.), Thierry Houillon (Novidev), Philippe Gadbois (Liquid Nutrition), and Julian Giacomelli (Crudessence). Already speakers and sponsors are lining up to support the 2014 edition! See the coverage here: tinyurl.com/alrsbm4

In the fall, I accepted to be the co-spokesperson for DUX (= leader, in latin), a new award program to celebrate and recognize the efforts of Quebec food companies and restaurants in developing and promoting a healthier offering. I also headed the jury for the "communications" category of the program. Winners were announced at the first annual Gala, January 16 where hundreds of members from all sectors of the food industry gathered. Winners can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/azhwl45. We’re already looking ahead to the 2014 edition!

Sugar overload !

2012-10-29T07:10:00.002-07:00

The Great Cupcake Challenge of 2012 where I was a judge was a resounding success this past Saturday Oct. 27. It was part of the Montreal Cake Show and Competition. Congrats to the organizers, very well done !

Will be lecturing on the ins and outs of fairtrade chocolate in FFAR 292 Encultured eating on Nov. 7, then talking to students about Food Marketing at Collège St Hilaire on Nov. 8.

I've also just accepted the presidency of the jury for the communications category for the DUX Award Program, designed to recognized outstanding efforts to promote healthy eating in the food and foodservice industries: www.programmedux.com

We're still tallying up the revenues and expenses for the 6th annual fundraiser Tune In To YES, a benefit concert with the Boogie Wonder Band to raise funds for Youth Employment Services, a non profit organization I am VP of and which helps 4500 each year to find jobs and launch their business and artistic endeavors. It was a great success and it looks like we exceeded last year's numbers and our target for this year. Thanks to all those who attended, thanks to the Boogie Wonder Band for being so amazing and generous !

Having a blast with my Food Marketing and Experience Marketing courses. The guest speakers in both classes are amazing. Guest speakers in my Experience MArketing course are open to all via the Center for Sensory Studies: http://www.centreforsensorystudies.org/events-and-activities/ On Tuesday Oct. 30, Constance Classen (The Deepest Sense: a cultural history of touch) and Mrs. Geneviève Emond (Bota Bota Spa) will be presenting.

The advisory board of the Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence in Communication Research met on Oct. 16th and a call for proposals will be going out shortly. The Board would like the Center to focus on applied communication research.

Busy Fall

2012-10-22T09:31:00.003-07:00

On Oct. 18th, I was co-chairing the 6th annual fundraiser Tune In To YES, a benefit concert with the Boogie Wonder Band to raise funds for Youth Employment Services, a non profit organization I am VP of and which helps 4500 each year to find jobs and launch their business and artistic endeavors. It was a great success and we raised over 85,000$. Thanks to all those who attended, thanks to the Boogie Wonder Band for being so amazing and generous !

Having a blast with my Food Marketing and Experience Marketing courses. The guest speakers in both classes are amazing. Guest speakers in my Experience MArketing course are open to all via the Center for Sensory Studies: http://www.centreforsensorystudies.org/events-and-activities/ OnTuesday Oct. 23, Dr. Rhona Richman Kenneally, will be presenting "Things That Tempt: Experiencing Taste through Objects we Use to Eat" in MB 6.425, 17h45. Dr. Rhona Richman Kenneally is an Associate Professor of Design & Computation Arts at Concordia University, and a Faculty Member of Concordia's School of Canadian Irish Studies. Other speakers to include Dr. Constance Classen (The Deepest Sense: a cultural history of touch) and Mrs. Geneviève Emond (Bota Bota Spa) on Oct. 23rd and Mrs. Karen Hager of the Ontario Science Center on Nov. 20th.

This coming Sat. Oct. 27, I'll be a judge at the Cupcake Challenge to find the best Montreal cupkcake, get your tickets now: www.cakeshow.ca

I've also just accepted the presidency of the jury for the communications category for the DUX Award Program, designed to recognized outstanding efforts to promote healthy eating in the food and foodservice industries: www.programmedux.com

The advisory board of the Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence in Communication Research met on Oct. 16th and call for proposals will be going out shortly. The Board would like the Center to focus on applied communication research.

Busy but Fun Fall

2012-09-12T03:41:00.002-07:00

Back to school after a wonderful sabbatical leave with amazing chocolate- and cacao-focused trips.

Teaching Food Marketing and Experience Marketing (MBA) with wonderful guest speakers planned for this fall. Student will work on challenging live cases including the MAA club, Group Park Avenue, Bonduelle vegetables and others. Thanks to all the guest speakers and live clients who accepted my invitation.

Co-Chairing Tune In To YES6, Youth Employment Services' annual fundraiser, on October 18th at the Olympia Theater, with the Boogie Wonder Band and amazing silent auction prizes. It's not your typical rubber-chicken fundraiser ! Check it out: www.tuneintoyes.com and come boogie with me for a great cause. YES helps 4500 each year find jobs, keeping young talented people in Quebec.

Working on getting things organized as the founding director of the newly created Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence in Communications Research. The Center will focus on research to help communications professionals. Get in touch with me if you want to get involved or learn more.

Took over as interim academic director for our marketing co-op program. Been a joy to read our co-op students' work term reports, what a great bunch of hard working and creative students we have !

Wrapping up a research grant project with Québec en Forme, looking at the healthy eating scene across various communities in Quebec. Been an eye opener to do field research for this project.

And finally, planning ahead to summer 2013 with conferences already booked in Banff and speaking at the Bromont Chocolate Festival in May.

Never a dull moment ! Love my job ! ;-)

Getting back in the swing of things

2012-07-12T06:07:00.001-07:00

Back from trip to India. It is true what they say: "Delhi assaults each and every senses." but I loved it !

Now back from sabbatical getting ready for the Fall semester and teaching Food Marketing and Experience Marketing, very much looking forward to that.

Also working on getting the Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence for Communications Research off the ground. Had a very productive meeting with Mr. Beauregard who truly wish to focus the Center on research useful to communications profesionnals. More on that later.

Enjoying Nova Scotia

2012-06-08T19:34:00.001-07:00

Am currently mid-way through the two-week Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference (www.leadershipcanada.ca). My study tour is made up of 14 amazing Canadians and we are touring Nova Scotia, learning about the amazing spirit of optimism, creativity, and resilience in this province that I knew too little. We are enjoying great food and warm hospitality. We are heading to Ottawa on Sunday and will present our group report to the Governor General. Looking forward to reconnect with the other 200+ participants and learn about what they found out on their tour of other provinces. I really wonder how the groups touring Quebec will have perceived my home province.

Then it's off to India on June 19 with a team of food industry execs to explore food innovations that could alleviate malnutrition in that country.

2012-05-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to leave for Halifax on May 31st for the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference http://www.leadershipcanada.ca a two-week event with a hectic program. I'll be part of the Nova Scotia study group. All study groups reconvene in Ottawa, back in Montreal on June 16th.

Then June 19th it is off to India, leading a group a of food industry executives to explore sustainable solutions to address malnutrition in that country.

Recently, taped an episode of the popular food show Les Touilleurs honoring Chef Anne Desjardins of L'Eau à la bouche restaurant (leaualabouche.com) in Sainte Adèle for her 30 year career and pionneering work showcasing local products.

Looking forward to getting back in the classroom come fall after an eventful and productive sabbatical leave. Working on some changes to my Food Marketing and Experience Marketing (MBA) classes, I'm working on getting some pretty fun and interesting guest speakers.

And will be working on plans and activities for the newly created Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence for Communications Research, the first communications-focused center of its kind in a Canadian business school.

Have a great summer !

End of sabbatical

2012-04-22T09:18:00.002-07:00

Just about one month left to my sabbatical. Looking forward to going back to JMSB full time and working with the Advisory Board of the newly-created Luc Beauregard Center of Excellence in Communications Research: http://tinyurl.com/6rfd4be

Gave a talk on Food Marketing to the McGill Food Science Graduate Students on Friday April 20th. Blown away by their engagement, curiosity and openess to welcome ideas from outside their immediate field.

Preparing for the the upcoming (June) Governor General Conference on Canadian Leadership (www.leadershipcanada.ca). Was selected along with over 200+ other Canadians for this two-week experience of a lifetime. Apparently grueling schedule, so need to shape up for that. But don't worry, am not giving up chocolate!

Preparing to go to India in mid-June with the McGill World Platform for Health and Economic Convergence. Joining a team of researchers and food industry execs to look at innovations that can help reduce malnutrition.

Got lots of comments on my first column in Le must alimentaire (www.lemust.ca), thanks to all who wrote me. Second one on "mood foods" just got out in the new issue, which includes a while section on buying organic foods.

Processing time

2012-03-15T05:59:00.003-07:00

Had a wonderful trip to cacao farms recently, including Mexico, Trinidad, and Dominican Republic where I met with one of the largest organica cacao coop. Still processing the 2500+ pictures I brought back.

Upcoming talks include a presentation on food marketing to the McGill Food Science students.

Got lots of comments on my first column in Le must alimentaire (www.lemust.ca), thanks to all who wrote me. Look for the next one on "mood foods."

Getting back into training and jogging outside to prepare for the upcoming (June) Governor General Conference on Canadian Leadership (www.leadershipcanada.ca). Was selected along with over 200+ other Canadians for this two-week experience of a lifetime. Apparently grueling schedule, so need to shape up for that. But don't worry, am not giving up chocolate!

2011-11-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

Leaving for Mexico and Venezuel soon to visit cocoa farms.

Radio interview discussing food trends on Radio Canada's Premiere Chaine: http://tinyurl.com/7oe7e8e

Recent interview on RDI Economie with Gerald Fillion: http://tinyurl.com/7kn3aoh

Been asked what makes me a good teacher for this NOW piece... the REAL secret ingredient is having great students and Concordia and JMSB has plenty !
http://www.concordia.ca/now/what-we-do/teaching/20111114/recipe-for-success-in-the-classroom.php

Had a great time giving the opening address at the Nov. 24 Évènement Marketing of the Conseil de la Transformation Agroalimentaire et des produits de consommation. Very dynamic and interesting group.

Still processing all the things I learned and pictures I took on my 5-week European Chocolate Tour, meeting with chocolate professionals and manufacturers, scouting hot retailing and experiential concepts for my Food Marketing and Experience Marketing courses. You can listen to my CBC radio interview while I was in Madrid: www.cbc.ca/cinqasix/2011/10/04/the-art-of-food-packaging

Fall (Chocolate) Program

2011-09-10T03:14:00.001-07:00

Tune in to YES 5, Youth Employment Services' annual fundraiser last night Oct. 20 at the Olympia Theater and which I co-shared was a smashing success. We hosted 400 supporters who danced to the beats of Soul City and left with great auction prizes (like private driving instructions in a Audi R8 on a pro racetrack!). Looking forward to co-chairing next year's event!

Back from a 5-week European Chocolate Tour, meeting with chocolate professionals and manufacturers, scouting hot retailing and experiential concepts for my Food Marketing and Experience Marketing courses. You can listen to my Oct 1st interview on CBC radio's 5-a-6 show: www.cbc.ca/cinqasix/2011/10/04/the-art-of-food-packaging

Oct. 26: PR event for Quebec launch of Green & Black's Organic chocolate line.

Nov 4: chocolate tasting for JMSB MBA's International Community Outreach Program.

Nov. 15: panel on chocolate branding and marketing for Valrhona Chocolate at ITHQ

Nov. 24: talk at CTAC at Sheraton Center

Lining up chocolate travels

2011-07-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

Off to Toronto to present papers at the Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium (www.pangborn2011.com) and, yes, to visit chocolatiers!

Then off to Europe until October 16: Switzerland, UK, Belgium, Spain, and France.

Back in Montreal just in time for Tune In To YES 5: Soul City at the Olympia Theater on October 20th, don't miss this great high-energy event and buy your ticket now http://www.tuneintoyes.com/

Doing a wine and chocolate talk on Nov. 4 for the JMSB MBA's International Community Outreach program.

Organizing a chocolate branding and marketing panel with Valrhona on Nov. 15. They're even flying in their top chocolatier and sensory analysis person for the event, should be fun!

still working on winter travel plans, hopefully Venezuela and Brazil, more to come on that later

and you thought I was going to relax during my sabbatical ! ppffff ! ;-)

Is summer here ?

2011-05-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Starting sabbatical June 1 !
Will be spending the summer in Montreal working on the second edition of the textbook "Marketing Yourself"
Speaking to the Federation des coopératives en milieu scolaire (www.fqcms.com) about food choices and foodservice concept development on June 7.
Short trip to Seattle on July 26 for a Cornell-related chocolate event, should be yummy !
And planning European chocolate tour September-October.
Oh and let's not forget our upcoming Youth Employment Services' annual fundraiser on October 20th at the Olympia Theater with Soul City with great food, entertainment, silent auction prizes.
Have a great summer !

Ya it's a tough job, but someone has to do it !

2011-04-11T09:00:00.001-07:00

Currently in Southern Belize to study fair trade practices in cocoa plantations, in particular the Toledo Cocoa Growers Association. My new website is being developed and when it is up, you will be able to see pictures from my trips, until then, I will post pictures on Facebook.

Article on PasseportSante.net on food marketing and how consumers can avoid waste and overspending at grocery store: http://tinyurl.com/3d5cjac

Checkout this recent article by Joanne Richard in Toronto Sun: http://tinyurl.com/4xterw8

If you're looking for an Easter gift (or Mothers' Day gift for that matter), check out my online seminar on chocolate, it comes with chocolate delivered to your door (or loved one's!): http://www.enjoyingchocolate.com

And here's an article on the Dragons' Den-style end-of-term group project presentations in my Marketing Management MBA class: http://tinyurl.com/3gervjs The Dragons were industry professionals who were most impressed with the quality and creativity of the presentations. We have such great students at Concordia !

Odds and Ends

2011-02-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

In December 2010 my colleague Dr. Robson at Cornell University asked me to be a judge for her Restaurant Concept Development Fair. It was great to see students whom I had the chance to teach and who are now just about to graduate. http://www.tinyurl.com/62sx6q4

Upcoming involvements:
1) moderator, panel on food and sustainability, Business Beyond Tomorrow, put on by the John Molson Sustainable Business Group, March 11, 3:30pm. Thanks to Green & Black chocolate and other sponsors www.businessbeyondtomorrow.com/attend
2) "Branding sensoriel : pistes de réflexion et d'action" presented at the annual conference of the Conseil québécois du commerce de détail, March 28, 13h45, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, http://www.cqcd.org/
3) "Consumers' Food-Away-From-Home Choices: Aligning Health and Pleasure", closing keynote presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals, May 14, Montreal.

Upcoming trip: Mexico and Belize (April 12-May 5) for studying cocoa harvest

Recent interviews/media appearances:
1) Concordia Journal: www.tinyurl.com/45tsb83
2) L'assiette démystifiée, épisode sur le sucre, Canal Vie, 4 avril, 8pm.
3) on my 2010 Award for Teaching Excellence: www.tinyurl.com/5tvvsdv
4) on IKEA's store layout: www.985fm.ca/audioplayer.php?mp3=90468
5) on new trends in food marketing: http://www.985fm.ca/audioplayer.php?mp3=90660
6) on the brunch phenomenon: www.tou.tv/club-social/S2010E17 (see around 31:00)

food-related news

2011-01-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

Busy news cycle in the food world ! Wal-Mart announces it will join forces with Michèle Obama's fight against childhood obesity and then announces investment to build more supercenters in Canada http://tinyurl.com/4nmuoy8 Should other food retailers be nervous ?

And guys, here's a perfect Valentine's Day gift: The World of Chocolate ! Check out this link to redeem your Valentine's Day rebate: http://tinyurl.com/46vb3m3

On another front, I am told the sales of M. Felix and Mr. Norton cookies at IGA are going well. Though personally, I really really (REALLY) wish they would bring out Pralines & Cream !! (My personal fav!)

The Winter Blue

2011-01-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

Two of my new favorite places for a little pick-me-up that beats the Winter Blues:

1) La maison des desserts: 9878 Papineau, north of Sauve. Great assortment and quality of chocolates.

2) La maison du Kakao: 5090 Fabre, for a great hot chocolate and much more !

What is your favorite chocolate-spot ?

Mmmmm Chocolate

2010-11-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Monsieur Felix & Mr. Norton cookies are finally back exclusively at IGA and sold in frozen individual cookies (2o for $8.99). Ménage à trois, Ebony & Ivory, and Milk Chocolate are available. I am secretly hoping they bring out Pralines & Cream !! http://tinyurl.com/27fykqc

Keeping with the chocolate theme here, Pâtisserie Gaudet (from Acton Vale) just launched a new line of premium chocolate pies called Oh làlà ! Four products in the line: 1) white chocolate apple and cranberry, 2) dark chocolate pecans and candied orange rind, 3) milk chocolate, caramel and sea salt, and 4) chocolate and hazelnut praline. Visit http://www.ohlaladessert.com/ for some beverage pairing recommendations I came up with.

A very cute book teaching children how to enjoy dark chocolate is making quite a splash. Le livre du chocolat (http://www.livrechocolat.com/) is a Quebec hit and was recently featured on the website of the Geneva Chocolate Show. A cute and tasty gift for the Holidays.

If enjoy classical guitar, check out the new Peaceful Moments CD by talented Montreal-based composer-arranger-musician Matthieu Léveillé at http://matthieuleveille.com/

Vives les jeunes et leur énergie

2010-11-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Aujourd'hui, je suis allé parler de marketing alimentaire au Collège Saint-Hilaire. Quel beau groupe d'étudiants allumés, curieux, et attachants. Lorsque j'ai développé le cours "Marketing alimentaire" à Concordia, mes collègues et supérieurs doutaient du bien fondé d'enseigner un tel cours. Il est vrai qu'une carrière en alimentation et/ou restauration a longtemps été considérée comme une carrière de second choix, un dernier recours en quelque sorte. Plus maintenant. Le cours "Marketing alimentaire" est complet à chaque semestre et encore ce matin à Saint-Hilaire je constatais tout l'intérêt que plusieurs étudiants ont pour cette industrie et ses débouchés d'emplois. Plus que jamais la filière alimentaire a besoin de gens curieux, créatifs, passionnés. Merci aux étudiants et professeurs du Collège Saint-Hilaire, Kevin Péloquin et Jean Marc Leduc, pour leur acceuil aussi chaleureux qu'attentionné et pour cette opportunité grandement appréciée de rencontrer les leaders de demain !

Et puis, pour tous les Cookies Monsters comme moi, depuis mercredi dernier les biscuits Monsieur Felix et Mr. Norton sont chez IGA en exclusivité...mmmm... http://tinyurl.com/3x7ret5

Great Success !

2010-10-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all those who attended the Youth Employment Services Fundraiser at Club Soda last Thursday Oct. 14. The event drew more than 350 people and the silent auction was a great success. Lorraine Klassen's high energy set the tone with her African-inspired show. I lucked out on a few items at the silent auction (namely a tour of the McAuslan Brewery and lunch for four with its owner and its beer master!). Thanks to the companies who helped us make this year's event a great success: Aveda, Dyson Vacuum, Dans un jardin, Essence du papier/Groupe Pierre Belvedere, Fluide Distribution, Valrhona Chocolates & Euro-Excellence, Café Altitude, La Maison LeGrand, Barefoot Wines, Subway, Frito-Lay, Pepsi, Susan G. Scott, McAuslan Brewery, KnowledgeOne and all our other sponsors and donors.

2010-08-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

"Tune in to YES" is the annual fundraiser held by Youth Employment Services, a non-profit organization providing English-language job search and self-employment services for job-seekers, artists and entrepreneurs. Last year, YES helped close to 4000 people with a 89% success rate.
I am co-chairing this year's fundraiser which promises to be a great event. We will have a Coffee and Chocolate Bar, a silent auction with GREAT PRIZES (including lunch with astronaut Marc Garneau), incredibly lively entertainment, good food, and complimentary beer and wine.

The event will be held on Thursday, October 14, at the Club Soda (1225 St. Lawrence Blvd) under the theme "Paint the Town African Creole". The event will include a non-stop revue with an electrifying fusion of percussion and Creole rythms headlined by Lorraine Klassen. Another highlight of the event is the silent auction with amazing prizes. This is not your average rubber-chicken fundraising dinner! With 400 entrepreneurs and business leaders expected to attend, it's a fun and entertainment networking opportunity and a great way to support YES.

Tickets are 100$ (inc. a 75$ receipt for tax deduction) and includes beer, wine, food, and entertainment. To buy your ticket, donate silent auction prizes or place an ad in the program booklet, visit http://www.tuneintoyes.com/

The World of Chocolate

2010-02-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

"The World of Chocolate," a multi-media edu-tainment extravaganza on chocolate is up and running: http://www.enjoyingchocolate.com/

With over 4 hours of engaging instructional material, the course covers the history of chocolate (in 3 video installments), the manufacturing process (taking you inside a real chocolate factory), tasting techniques, tips to pair chocolate and alcoholic beverages, a step-by-step "how to" guide to host your own chocolate tasting party, recipes, and much more. Participants receive a free chocolate tasting kit by Valrhona, a leading manufacturer of premium chocolates. After surfing on the website, participants can take a short quiz and print their own "Chocolate Certificate" ! Makes a great gift for the chocolate lover in your family or circle of friends !

Go to http://www.enjoyingchocolate.com/ to register and enter "GOSTINGERS" when prompted for a promotional code to receive a limited-time only introductory price.

Read some of the press about this unique online seminar:
in the Toronto Sun: www.torontosun.com/life/2010/03/26/13369371.html
in The Concordian: www.theconcordian.com/chocolate-crazy/1.11212
in The Montreal Gazette: www.montrealgazette.com/life/Jordan+LeBel+pairs+teaching+with+chocolate+delicious+online+course/2562695/story.html
in The Journal de Montréal: www.canoe.com/artdevivre/cuisine/article1/2010/03/30/13412941-qmi.html