Indigenous Culinary & Agritourism Success Series

Culinary Tourism Workshop: Facilitated by Culinary Tourism Alliance.

Join Indigenous Tourism BC, the Culinary Tourism Alliance, and Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations to learn how to develop culinary and agritourism experiences. Across two engaging three-hour sessions, this training will guide participants through the full journey of developing successful Indigenous culinary and agritourism experiences. In the first session, you’ll explore trends in culinary and agritourism, discover practical ways to integrate local food and culture, and learn how to create immersive offerings that connect food, people, and place. The second session focuses on the business foundations – covering regulations, visitor readiness, marketing strategies, and partnership opportunities to bring your experiences to market.

With insights from Indigenous chefs and industry leaders, participants will gain the knowledge, resources, and inspiration to design, launch, and grow high-quality culinary and agritourism experiences rooted in Indigenous culture and traditions.

Live online workshops run Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST

• October 21st – Food, People & Place: Building Indigenous Culinary & Agritourism Experiences
• October 28th – Culinary & Agritourism Success: Regulations, Marketing & Visitor Readiness

Session Details

Food, People & Place: Building Indigenous Culinary & Agritourism Experiences
October 21st 2025 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST | Live Online Zoom

Discover what today’s visitors are looking for, and learn how to design immersive, memorable, and high-quality offerings. Gain insights into Canada’s growing culinary and agritourism industry, explore the role of key organizations, and find out where you can access support.

In session one, featured chef Jenni Lessard will share examples of how she has created unique culinary tourism experiences that connect culture, place, and food.

By attending this webinar, you will understand current trends in culinary and agritourism.

• • Understand current trends in culinary and agritourism
  • Discover simple, practical ways to integrate local food into your Indigenous tourism experiences
  • Learn best practices for creating immersive and memorable culinary and agritourism offerings
  • Get to know organizations such as Indigenous Tourism BC, Culinary Tourism Alliance, and Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations, and understand how they can support your work
  • Gain ideas for building partnerships and collaborations to grow

Meet the Guest Speaker:
Jenni Lessard is a chef, recipe developer and consultant based in the Qu’Appelle Valley of Saskatchewan on Treaty Four Territory. She’s a citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and a member of the Indigenous Culinary of Associated Nations. Jenni grew up in the boreal forest of Northern Saskatchewan and can still be found year round on the land, harvesting plants and berries. Jenni had a restaurant in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan for almost a decade before moving to Saskatoon to start a local foods themed catering business.

She has developed a variety of Indigenous culinary tourism experiences such as the Han Wi Dinner series at Wanuskewin Heritage Park and Field to Shield Culinary Tour.

Culinary & Agritourism Success: Regulations, Marketing & Visitor Readiness
October 28th 2025 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST | Live Online Zoom

Looking to start or grow your Indigenous culinary and agritourism business? Whether you’re just getting started in tourism or already offering experiences, this webinar will guide you through the essential steps to prepare for visitors and successfully bring your experiences to market. We’ll cover the regulations and safety requirements you need to follow, how to make your Indigenous tourism business welcoming, and strategies for marketing and promotion. Learn what information should be on your website, how to create effective tourism packages, and how to collaborate with Destination Marketing Organizations to showcase your culinary tourism offerings. This session provides practical guidance, resources, and tools to help you grow your business.

Session two will feature Indigenous chef, Steph Baryluk, who will share tips for navigating regulation challenges and advocating for Indigenous culinary traditions within the tourism sector.

By attending this webinar, you will:

• • Understand the regulations and safety requirements for your Indigenous tourism experience, including zoning, health inspections, food safety and infrastructure requirements
  • Learn how to create a welcoming Indigenous tourism experience for visitors
  • Explore best practices for websites, social media, and online booking systems to support culinary and agritourism businesses
  • Discover how to work with Destination Marketing Organizations to promote your Indigenous tourism experience
  • Receive a culinary and agritourism readiness checklist to evaluate your tourism experience and identify areas for improvement

Meet the Guest Speaker:
Chef Steph Baryluk, a proud Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) in Treaty 11 Territory, draws deep inspiration from her Arctic upbringing, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped her connection to food and culture. With over 10 years of experience as a Red Seal Indigenous Chef, Steph is passionate about preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions through her creations and educational initiatives.

Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024, Chef Steph is a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems. As a member of the Greenworks Collective, she combines her culinary expertise with advocacy, inspiring future generations and promoting sustainability and cultural heritage on a global stage.

Who Should Attend?

This training is ideal for Indigenous tourism professionals, food producers, chefs, and community members who want to grow their skills in indigenous culinary and agritourism. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance existing experiences, these sessions will help you design, market, and deliver offerings that celebrate Indigenous culture, food and place.

Eligibility
Indigenous Tourism BC welcomes eligible participants:

• Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Metis) residing in BC
• Indigenous-owned tourism businesses (51%+ Indigenous ownership), and employees of
• First Nations-owned tourism businesses (51%+ First Nations ownership), and employees of
• First Nations Communities in BC

Questions? [email protected]