From May 26 to 29, 2025, Canadian Food Focus was proud to attend the Culinary Federation National Conference, held at the Hotel Beausejour in Moncton, New Brunswick. The event, themed “Turning the Tide,” brought together more than 200 chefs and culinary professionals from across Canada, spotlighting the rich food culture and innovative spirit of the Atlantic region.
Immersive Sessions and Tradeshow Participation
Throughout the four-day conference, Canadian Food Focus engaged in a variety of sessions and workshops designed to inspire and educate. Topics ranged from crafting the spirits of New Brunswick to sustainable fishery practices, social media marketing, and Canadian beef tasting. The event also featured panel discussions moderated by CFF Managing Director, Dorothy Long, senior and young chef competitions, and product showcases, offering valuable networking opportunities for attendees.


Canadian Food Focus sponsored two panels—”Canadian Maritime Cuisine and the Future of Local Food” and “The Hospitality of the Maritimes: Welcoming the World Through Food”— each showcasing the vibrancy, diversity, and innovation within Atlantic Canada’s food landscape. With Dorothy Long serving as a moderator, both sessions emphasized the power of local food traditions, sustainable practices, and authentic hospitality to inspire attendees and drive broader engagement.
The panels sparked lively debate among influencers, chefs, producers, and tourism leaders, creating space for candid discussion on how Maritime cuisine and hospitality are redefining the Canadian food experience. Attendees were highly engaged, citing new insights into collaboration, community-building, and the importance of storytelling through food. These conversations directly reflect Canadian Food Focus’ missions to celebrate the richness of Canadian ingredients and traditions, empower influencers to champion our agriculture sector, and spotlight the critical role local food plays in sustainable growth and cultural connection across the country.
A highlight was the tradeshow, where over 40 partners showcased the finest ingredients and culinary products. Canadian Food Focus actively participated, connecting with chefs, producers, and industry leaders to promote the value of increasing food literacy of Canadians from fork to farm.



Sponsoring the Lobster Tour: A Taste of Maritime Tradition
As part of its commitment to celebrating Canadian food culture and connecting influencers to food production, Canadian Food Focus sponsored a memorable lobster tour. This experience offered delegates a hands-on introduction to New Brunswick’s iconic lobster industry, including interactive presentations and a traditional lobster feast. The tour not only deepened appreciation for the region’s seafood but also highlighted the importance of sustainable fishing practices and local culinary traditions. For each of the past four years, CFF has worked with the Culinary Federation to assist with their annual tour that showcases farms and other aspects of food production.
A Conference of Connection and Inspiration
The 2025 Culinary Federation National Conference was more than a gathering of chefs—it was a celebration of community, innovation, and the unique flavours of New Brunswick. By attending and moderating sessions, participating in the tradeshow, and sponsoring the lobster tour, Canadian Food Focus took the opportunity to deepen its relationship within the culinary community and reinforce its role in the Canadian food and agriculture sector.

Julie Kenyon
Communications Coordinator, Canadian Food Focus
Julie has a way with food. She can make it look good and taste even better. Julie grew up in a small town in the southeastern interior of British Columbia and moved to Saskatchewan in 1996. Currently, she is the Communication Coordinator for our national program, Canadian Food Focus. Julie started her career with BlueSkyIdeas Communications over 20 years ago. In that time she has worked with several agriculture groups such as CanolaInfo, SaskMustard, HealthyFlax, Sask Pork, and SaskTurkey on their social media, recipe development and special projects.
Julie and her husband Doug live on an acreage near Lloydminster and have three daughters. In her spare time, you can find her chasing her granddaughters and spending time with her family.