May 4-6, 2004 Brussels Exhibition Centre Brussels, Belgium Canadian Seafood in the Spotlight The Canadian Pavilion at ESE 2004 is our largest showing to date, with 18 booths representing well over 35 companies from across Canada!

The Canadian seafood industry from coast to coast to coast was out in full force at the European Seafood Exposition (ESE), the world's largest seafood specific trade event, held May 4-6, 2004 in Brussels, Belgium. Canadian seafood suppliers combined to form the largest Canadian presence ever at ESE. The European Seafood Exposition has truly become an international show for the seafood industry featuring approximately 1300 exhibitors from over 65 countries around the world. The Canadian seafood industry has always viewed the European market as an important component of its export business. In 2003, Canadian seafood exports to the EU were in excess of $445 million, 10% of seafood exports from Canada. The recent enlargement of the EU bringing in total 25 member states makes this market even more sought after by the global seafood trade, including Canada. Canadian products ranging from geoduck from British Columbia to eel from New Brunswick to scallops from Quebec, were displayed and promoted at this important event. Chef Lars Willum from Cape Breton provided his culinary expertise in featuring exhibitors' products from across the country. Buyers and trade representatives were able enjoy first hand the quality, excellence and innovation that Canadian seafood has to offer.

A number of events were organised to capitalise on the large Canadian contingent in Brussels. The Canadian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Jacques Bilodeau, hosted a reception on May 4, 2004 in support of the Canadian presence at ESE. In addition, Canadian exhibitors met individually with Trade Commissioners who provided valuable market insights from their respective regions throughout Europe. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada together with ACOA, Team Canada Inc., the governments of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and the Quebec Agri-Food Export Club worked in collaboration to assure the Canadian presence at this year's European Seafood Show was a success.

February 27th - March 3rd, 2002 Food and Fun Festival Rejkjavik, Iceland The Canadian Pavilion at ESE 2004 is our largest showing to date, with 18 booths representing well over 35 companies from across Canada!

Chef Lars Willum was invited by the Icelandic Tourism Board, Icelandair and Iceland Naturally together with travel writers, food critics and chefs from around the world to participate and write about the Food & Fun Festival that took place February 27 to March 3, 2002 in Reykjavik. Next invitation was from The President of the Icelandic Chefs Association to be part of an international team of judges during the Matur2002, the biggest food show in Iceland. Several competitions were held during April 17 - April 22-2002.

Chef of the year in Iceland. Nordic Chef of the year. The judges were Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks President and WACS continental Director Cornelia Volino. Brian E. Cotterill, WACS European Continental Director and Presidents of Chefs Associations from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Greenland and Iceland. The trips were made possible with support from ECBC, Cape Breton Island Chefs Association. Cape Breton Food Producers and Processors Association, Farmers Market and Cape Breton Gourmet. www.icelandnaturally.com or www.goiceland.org

Check out my food coloum - Bi-weekly on Tuesday

If you or your family of business have any special requests, please do not hesitate to contact us at 902-371-8016