Eating and drinking in the restaurant with direct explanation from the producer. That was the privilege of the IFAJ Boot Camp and Master Class delegates this evening.

The dinner of the delegates took place in the center of Guelph in the Woolwich Arrow Pub. It was not your typical dinner, as delegates got to hear a clear explanation of the menu from one farmer and the restaurant owner.

Kevin Smith of Smoyd Potato Farm is growing on 38 acres, 3 varieties of potatoes. The complete harvest is sold, during the year, to several restaurants in Ontario. A way of doing business which Smith started with almost 15 years ago, “because we were disappointed about the quality of the potatoes we got on our plate,” the passionate farmer said.

With this approach, he is now making a good living – though it took him at least five years to be financially stable. In the beginning, Smith was just delivering the potatoes in the trunk of the vehicle and couldn’t break-even.

Bob Desautels is owner of The Neighbourhood Group of Companies, which includes the Woolwich Arrow. He started it in 1990 when it had a turnover of $400,000. Now that is around $2.2 million.  And that in a restaurant where all the food comes from local producers - 45 in total. “All selected on quality standards,” Desautels said.

The company is working on more sustainable food production and consumption. In 2016 the aim is to work with a carbon foodprint of zero, all based on local production. “With our company, we try to be a bridge between the restaurant and the producer. People should be encouraged to go to restaurant because it is much more sexy to get your dinner in such a nice atmosphere,” said Desautels.

This entry was written by Sjoerd Hofstee, 2011 IFAJ-Alltech Young Leader and Boot Camp delegate, following the final Boot Camp gathering for supper at the Woolwich Arrow in downtown Guelph, Ontario, Canada.