(photo: Zaniac)

I’ve just finished watching the closing ceremonies and wiped my upper lip clean of the last of its beer froth. Now it’s time to pack for a red eye flight to Toronto, as I’ve been invited to speak at Terroir IV, the 4th annual hospitality industry symposium, with several other food writers and not a few chefs. My particular contributions, I think, will center on new media and the restaurant trade (ie. blogging, twitter, etc.), but I’m really stoked to be on the panel for the Media In The Kitchen discussion:

We want to be culinary stars. The media establishes what is hot for the consumer and the knock down effect is what makes them patronize our restaurants or indulge in the newest culinary ‘trend’. Do local media have a responsibility to help support our culinary culture? A panel of five top food journalists will help us unravel what stories’ make top press and how we elevate ourselves as a culinary destination.

Moderator: Bonnie Stern

Presenters: Sasha Chapman, Adam Sachs, Mitchell Davis, Corby Kummer, Andrew Morrison, Alan Richman & Gabriella Gershenson.

I’m really excited and honoured to be part of such a line-up. I mean, Alan Richman? Wow. I believe we’re all staying at The Drake, which should be plenty of fun, and it will be awesome to stumble around my old stomping grounds once again. We’ll also be dining out for every meal over the four day trip, so look out for lots of updates on Twitter. If you’re not yet following us, come along and say hi @scoutmagazine.