On this episode of Destination on the Left, we bring you the first of two Roadshow episodes recorded live at the 2026 Taste of Place Summit in Edmonton, Alberta. Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with Explore Edmonton, the Summit gathered culinary tourism and agritourism leaders, destination professionals, farmers, chefs, producers, and artisans from across Canada and beyond to explore how food connects visitors to people, culture, and place.

Through conversations with Tam Anderson, Jenni Lessard, James Eddington, Carl-Éric Guertin, and Monica Frost, we uncover a common thread: the most memorable culinary tourism experiences begin with the people who grow, create, preserve, and share the stories behind the food.

In this episode, you’ll hear from these extraordinary leaders:

Tam Anderson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-andersen-b488544/
Jenni Lessard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-lessard-54103a197/
James Eddington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-eddington-9542a52/
Carl-Éric Guertin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-%C3%A9ric-guertin-4789849/
Monica Frost: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sociallymonica/

Authentic Experiences Begin with Human Connection

Throughout these conversations, one message emerges again and again: culinary tourism is ultimately about people. Whether visitors are harvesting strawberries, joining a chef around a live fire, meeting an artisan in their workshop, or enjoying a long-table dinner on a farm, the experiences that leave lasting impressions are rooted in authentic human connection.

Tam Anderson shares how simple moments, such as digging potatoes with children or tasting berries fresh from the field, reconnect families with the origins of their food and with each other. James Eddington echoes that philosophy through immersive farm experiences where guests don’t simply enjoy a meal—they participate in discovering the ingredients, the landscape, and the people who make the experience possible.

The Stories Behind the Ingredients Matter

Several guests emphasize that food itself is only one part of the visitor experience. Jenni Lessard explains that every ingredient carries the story of the producer, and that chefs and tourism professionals serve as interpreters who help visitors understand where food comes from and why it matters. When those stories are shared, meals become expressions of place rather than simply something to eat.

Carl-Éric Guertin extends this idea through the work of the Économusée Network Society, which helps artisans open their workshops to visitors. Whether meeting a blueberry jam maker, a smoked herring producer, or a craftsperson preserving generations of knowledge, visitors gain a greater appreciation for the heritage, expertise, and cultural traditions behind each product. These personal encounters transform local products into meaningful cultural experiences.

Collaboration Creates Stronger Destinations

Across every interview, partnerships emerge as the driving force behind successful culinary tourism. Farmers collaborate with chefs to showcase seasonal ingredients, breweries work alongside producers and destination organizations to create immersive travel itineraries, and regional networks bring together organizations that might otherwise work independently.

Monica Frost shares how the BC Ale Trail continues to expand beyond breweries by connecting travelers with farmers, cideries, restaurants, and agritourism experiences that tell a more complete story about British Columbia’s craft beverage industry. Similarly, guests throughout the episode describe how collaboration allows destinations to celebrate their unique landscapes, cultures, and food traditions while creating experiences that benefit both visitors and local communities.

Together, these conversations remind us that a true taste of place cannot be manufactured. It grows from authentic relationships, local knowledge, shared stories, and the people whose passion and stewardship give every destination its distinctive flavor.

Resources:

Tam Anderson

Website: https://albertafarmfresh.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tam-andersen-b488544/

Jenni Lessard

Website: https://www.jennilessard.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenni-lessard-54103a197/

James Eddington

Website: https://www.eddingtons.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-eddington-9542a52/

Carl-Éric Guertin

Website: https://artisansaloeuvre.com/en/economusee-network-society/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-%C3%A9ric-guertin-4789849/

Monica Frost

Website: https://bcaletrail.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sociallymonica/