Canada's emerging culinary mecca

This morning, I pulled the dreamy 2010 Stratford and Area Culinary Guide from my mailbox. Developed by the Stratford Tourism Alliance, it's a step-by-step guide on how to eat your way through the jewel in Canada's gastronomic crown: Stratford, Ontario.

Sure, I'm a resident, and therefore a little biased, but don't just take my word for it: aol.ca named Stratford Canada's Hottest Food Destination.

The proof is in the pudding: Stratford is home to the highly esteemed Stratford Chef School, which has received international attention throughout its 27-year history, and recognition for being the only culinary institute in Canada operated by working restaurant professionals. You might remember the Food Network's program, Chef School, a few years ago, which centred around this school's burgeoning culinary geniuses.

And Stratford Northwestern Secondary School acts as an incubator for this post-secondary program. It's here where high school students can learn from Paul Finkelstein, affectionately known as "Fink" and Canada's Pied Piper of good food, about culinary arts and how to eat, taste, cook and appreciate what's on their plates and the bountiful goodness offered by the Perth County agricultural community. Fink also founded the Screaming Avocado Cafe, which has won the hearts of Jamie Oliver and Chef Michael Smith, among many others.

A disproportionately large number of restaurants per capita has fermented Stratford's rich culinary culture. Here you will find a full range of epicurean delights from haute cuisine to gastro-pub fare. We even have our own culinary festival - Savour Stratford - in its third year, and running September 25 to 26, 2010. Mark your calendars now - I'm still coming down from last year's high.

If all this isn't enough to electrify each taste bud, Stratford Delicious kicks off this weekend, where some of Stratford's hottest restaurants are offering three-course lunches starting at $20 and dinners starting at $35 throughout May and June. Join A Delicious Stratford Stroll this Sunday, May 2, to whet your appetite for what's to come over the next couple months.

Kudos and link love to Matty Ian and The Local-Come-Lately who join me in blogging about Stratford's finest.

Really, what's not to write about?

If you can tear yourself away from the feast.