Lactalis Canada Foodservice Becomes Exclusive Dairy Partner for Taste Canada’s National Food Writing Awards and Sponsor of National Student Cooking Competition, Cooks the Books
October 7th, 2024 – Toronto, Canada – Lactalis Canada Foodservice, a division of Canadian dairy leader Lactalis Canada, is excited to announce a new partnership with Taste Canada, the single most prestigious national, bilingual, food writing awards program in the country. This collaboration aims to promote culinary excellence and celebrate Canada’s rich culinary heritage. As part of this initiative, Lactalis Canada Foodservice will sponsor the Taste Canada Awards soirée, as well as Taste Canada’s national student cooking competition Cooks the Books.
The Taste Canada awards program honours the best in culinary literature and cookbooks, recognizing Canadian authors who highlight cuisine, culture and quality ingredients.
“We are delighted to welcome Lactalis Canada Foodservice as our exclusive dairy partner,” said Karen Baxter, Executive Director of Taste Canada. “Their support will enhance our efforts to recognize and nurture culinary talent and premium quality ingredients across Canada. Together, we are championing the future of Canadian cuisine.”
“Lactalis Canada is pleased to join hands with Taste Canada to support and celebrate the talent within Canada’s culinary community,” said Iven Zanardo, General Manager, Foodservice, Ingredients & Exports at Lactalis Canada. “This partnership underscores our commitment to fostering storytelling, education and innovation in the culinary arts and nurturing the next generation of culinary professionals.”
By sponsoring the student cooking competition, Lactalis Canada Foodservice provides aspiring chefs with a platform to showcase their creativity and skills. The partnership will highlight the versatility and importance of dairy products in cooking and will encourage participants of the student competition to creatively incorporate dairy products in their recipes.
“As a dairy leader, Taste Canda presents us with a unique platform to engage and collaborate with chefs and culinary authors, educators and students on new and innovative ways of creatively integrating all types of dairy – from milk and cheese to yogourt and butter – in cooking,” Andrew Davis, Vice President Marketing, Foodservice, Ingredients, and Export at Lactalis Canada.
“Cooks the Books is a national student cooking competition and a cornerstone of Taste Canada’s commitment to education. It’s designed to inspire young culinary talents from across Canada,” said Sabrina Falone, Cooks the Books Event Director. “Together with Lactalis Canada Foodservice, we are dedicated to providing students with opportunities for recognition, experience and mentorship from industry leaders.”
About Lactalis Canada Inc.: With over 140 years of brand heritage, Lactalis Canada is the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, P’tit Québec, Balderson, Cheestrings Ficello, aMOOza!, Astro, Khaas, siggi’s, IÖGO, IÖGO nanö, Olympic, Lactantia, Beatrice, Bfit, Enjoy!, Marie Morin Canada, Galbani, and Président. With more than 30 operating sites including 20 manufacturing facilities, the company and its more than 4000 employees are committed to enriching and nurturing the lives of Canadians through its high-quality products, contribution to communities and partnership with farmers, customers, partners and suppliers. Lactalis Canada is part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France. For more information, visit www.lactalis.ca
About Taste Canada: Taste Canada aims to connect, inspire and celebrate Canadians through food and stories rooted in tradition, diversity, and community. Since 1998, Taste Canada has presented awards to some of the best Canadian cookbook authors and food writers in both official languages. Cooks the Books is a cooking competition that invites Canadian culinary students from across the nation to compete for the title of Canada’s Best New Student Chefs named by Taste Canada. Awards are presented to authors and culinary students each year at a one-of-a-kind gastronomic event in Toronto where food and beverage writers, publishers, chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, industry, culinary colleges, media and cookbook fans gather to celebrate a vibrant national conversation about food, culture and the beauty of culinary writing. For more information about Taste Canada and Cooks the Books, please visit www.tastecanada.org.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Sutton
Corporate Communications Manager, Lactalis Canada
C: 437-249-2730
Sabrina Falone
Marketing Director and Partnership Development, Taste Canada
C: 647-546-0193
