Canadian celebrity chef coming to campus as part of the annual President’s Speakers Series

SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University will welcome Chef Michael Smith, noted Canadian celebrity chef, nutritional activist, and best-selling author to campus for a community discussion on local food. Smith’s talk, “Everything I know about life, I learned in the kitchen” will take place on Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in Brunton Auditorium in the Marjorie Young Bell Music Conservatory (134 Main St.). The event is free and open to the public.

Chef Michael Smith is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and an inspiration for families creating their own healthy food lifestyle. He’s the host of numerous programs seen on Food Network Canada and in more than 100 other countries.

“Chef Michael Smith is one of Canada’s best-known and accomplished chefs, known for his commitment to simple and sustainable food,” says Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau. “We are pleased to welcome him to campus to discuss sustainability and community connections around local food in Atlantic Canada.”

The annual President’s Speakers Series brings noted speakers from across Canada and around the globe to the Mount Allison University campus and surrounding community to address issues of current interest or importance. For the 2019-2020 academic year, the University chose the concept of Ideas without Borders, welcoming speakers and discussions from the local, regional, and international community to discuss a number of topics on campus.

“Through the open frame of Ideas without Borders, we hope to encourage discussion on campus and in our community about topics that are important to us all, like food sustainability,” says Boudreau. “I look forward to hearing the discussions and ideas that this gathering may spark.”

Smith is Prince Edward Island’s food ambassador, Canada’s best-selling cookbook author, an innkeeper, educator, professional chef and home cook. Among many adventures, he led the team of Sodexo chefs that cooked for the world’s Olympians in the Whistler Athletes’ Village in 2010. His ten cookbooks have all been best sellers and he regularly travels the globe hosting special culinary events. Chef Michael and his wife Chastity are the proprietors of The Inn at Bay Fortune on Prince Edward Island, and recently opened a sister property The Inn at Fortune Bridge.

The University will also be marking Chef Michael Smith’s visit to campus by holding its annual local food night at Jennings Dining Hall (147 Main Street) on Oct. 7. Members of the University and wider community are encouraged to enjoy the Dining Hall’s locally-sourced menu, meet local producers, and learn more about regional products from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island featured in the dining hall prior to the presentation. Community members can access the all-you-care-to-eat dining hall for $7 plus tax per person.