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History

The first edition of the Foire Gourmande de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue was held in 2002, while the organization incorporated in 2003. The 2 fournders, Mr. Bernard Flébus and Mrs Line Descôteaux along with three (3) other contributors in agri-processing, took the initiative to create this event in order to respond to a need in the sector. In fact, the Foire Gourmande was born from a statement. Every time an agro transformer wanted his product to be tasted, he was obliged to do it throught existing festivals that had no affinities with tasting or sampling (ex: The Notre-Dame-du-Nord Truck Rodeo, the Rouyn-Noranda anglers and hunters Show, The Amos Rotary Club Expo). There's the regional wine and spirits show which has a common goal, but has a very low turn out to rely on in order to promote adequately. There was no choice than to create an event so that the agri-processors can meet the goutmet and avid public in a family atmosphere.

Since its creation, the Foire Gourmande of Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Northeastern Ontario have encountered a continous growth. In fact, at the planning level, the event went from a 220 feet marquee to 360 feet to a combination of 4 large marquee's conbined with a rented hall located near the main site.

The interest from the media and the culinary critique is increading and the event interesses the majority of the regions in the province. During the last editions, agri-processords benefited from the appealing nature of the Foire Gourmande for the purchasers and brokers of various restaurants and boutiques. However,the main reason that such growth is important is the family offering that enables activities and continous anumation over 3 days for all ages in a secure, clean and friendly atmosphere, all in a majestic scenery. The Foire Gourmande went from 5 000 visitors in 2002 to 30 000 visitors in 2006.

In 2006, the Foire Gourmande received numerous inter-provincial recognitions. Which reinforces the value of this event in its regional tourism offer. Even if the Foire Gourmande is positioned as a retention product, its promotion and impact looks more and more like an appealing event for the Northwestern Quebec.

In 2010, the Foire gourmande was awarded the prize of Développement Économique Canada and the Festivals, Événements Touristiques TVA Abitibi-Témiscamingue. In addition, at the developent level, the event has increased its Main tent. It now measures 80 feet width by 440 feet in length. This change was to place its 51 exhibitors so they all are comfortably installed.

Who said more exhibitors, said more waste. As a result, the Foire gourmande improves the "Going Green" project by installing recycling bins throughout the site of the event to reduce waste.

For the first year, the Foire increased ist budget for the shows, to celebrate its partnership with Loto-Québec. New for 2010, the breathtaking Chefs fight. Six chefs prepared a recipe in only one hour.

With the help of three (3) traveler buses from Abitibi-Témiscamingue and one from North Bay, the Foire gourmande increases its number of visitors to 38,000.

Visitor's Comments

Here are a few comments gathered from visitors while conducting a survey;

Very good, very pleasant!
It's great, very good!
Satisfied with the number of exhibitors!
Beautiful variety of products!
Fantastic. Always improves. Allows knowing new products.
Very liked, Going to come back.
Beautiful welcome and explained well!
Very well, nothing needs to be changed!
Good show!
Positive as is!
Very good, unique. Could be even bigger!
Excellent! I thoughtit wasn't big like that!!
I liked. That makes us meet a lot of people!
Very very satisfied! Good music.
I like that, there's a lot of people! It's fun. The music is good.
J’adore ça, il y a plein de choses à déguster!
Good meeting place!
Good meeting place with family and friends!

Exhibitor's Comments

Here are a few comments raised by the exhibitors:

The clientele is good, the cost of the kiosk is good then, altogether, everything is strong!
Beautiful clientele, superior sales, good shop window for prospective customers!
Excellent atmosphere all weekend!
The children's day and the clientele, it's very well.
Big visibility. Good security on the site.
Good atmosphere, free entry, music, good organization, thanks to the volunteers!
The volunteers are very helpful.
Friendly staff, very helpful!
Amazing event!
Well advertised in both English and French and in both Ontario and Quebec!

The honorary chairs from 2002 to 2011

Each edition is chaired by a public personality recognized by its peers and who has public knowledge and certain popularity towards the publics in Quebec as well as in Ontario. The unveiling of the honorary Chair or co-Chair is held in May preceding the holding of the event.

First edition	Mrs. Françoise Kayler, Journalist
Second edition	Mr. Jules Roiseaux, Host
Third edition	Mrs. Sœur Angèle, Professional and host
Fourth edition	Mrs. Sœur Angèle, Professional and host Mrs Anita Stewart, Journalist and author
Fifth edition	Mr. André Montmorency, Host and author
Sixth edition	Mr. Jud Simpson, Chairperson of the Canadian Culinary Federation, Ottawa's Parliamentary restaurant Executive Chef Mrs. Michèle Foreman, Culinary tourism journalist
Seventh edition	Mrs. Anita Stewart, journalist et author. Mr. Philipe Mollé, Executive leader and restoration Director of the Vogue Hotel.
Eighth edition	Mister John Higgins, Main leader and Director ot George Brown School. Mister Nicolas Moreau, Culinary commentator on the "Rock Détente" station, Head chef on the "Canal Vie" station, spokeman for Tostitos, The pampered leader of Chicago in USA ( kitchen articles top range) culinary presenter.
Ninth edition	Madam Anne Desjardins, Head chef, author, commentator, communicator. Madam Élisabeth Bair , Head chef, Executive editor of Canadian Living Magazine.
Tenth edition	Madam Michelle Gélinas, Chef, author, Culinary Researcher Madam Emily Richards, Chef, author, Professional Home Economist