On October 6, local tourism and hospitality industry members learned about the progress, plans, and opportunities to get involved as we elevate our destination's food, wine, and tourism experiences.

In a one-hour webinar, attendees learned more about the work underway since Kelowna was designated Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy on October 31, 2025, highlighting the important role local businesses and organizations play in bringing the designation to life.

To kick off the webinar, Jenn Goodwin of Okanagan College, also the UNESCO Focal Point and Chair of the Coordination Group, shared the key work the group completed in its first year. As Tourism Kelowna's representative in the Coordination Group, I then walked attendees through the work in greater detail, outlining the plans and ways to participate. 

The webinar provided an overview of the key groups involved and progress to date, along with a look ahead at the plan for the next two years. A key message throughout the session was that the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation is not simply a designation; it’s an opportunity for the entire community to collaborate, tell its story, and create meaningful experiences around food, agriculture, culture, and tourism.

Kelowna’s designation has already generated significant media attention, with coverage highlighting the community’s distinction as Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The next step is to build on that momentum and ensure Kelowna’s gastronomy story is visible year-round.
 

Aerial View of Agricultural Fields at Sunset - Paynter's Fruit Market
Sunset view of fields at Paynter's Fruit Market during the spring. Image credit: Darren Hull Studios


A three-year journey

The City of Gastronomy plan is structured around three distinct phases:
 

  • Year 1 – Seed: Get started, establish the foundation, and build awareness and participation across the community.
  • Year 2 – Grow: Expand the work and increase national outreach, partnerships, and recognition.
  • Year 3 – Harvest: Build on that foundation through international outreach and showcase Kelowna’s gastronomy story to a global audience.

This approach recognizes that developing a strong gastronomy destination takes time, and that success depends on many different parts of the community working together.
 

Shopper holding farm-grown produce above a colourful display of peppers at Don-O-Ray Farm Market in Kelowna.
A shopper holds farm-grown produce above a colourful display of peppers at Don-O-Ray Farm Market in Kelowna. Image credit: By Kirsten Taylor


ALIVE: Our Strategic Plan

At the heart of the work is a strategic plan built around five interconnected components, which together spell ALIVE:
 

  • Advance economy and workforce
  • Leverage local and international connections
  • Invigorate culture and community
  • Vitalize culinary and tourism experiences
  • Enhance food systems and security

Together, these priorities provide a framework for using gastronomy to drive economic development, community connection, cultural vitality, tourism experiences, and a stronger local food system.
 

Chef Using Tweezers to Plate a Dish with Precision on a Plate
Chef uses tweezers to plate a dish with precision. Image credit: Darren Hull Studios


Get involved now

Tourism and hospitality businesses, producers, attractions, event organizers and other community partners can help by sharing stories, creating experiences, participating in activations and finding ways to connect their own offerings to the broader story of Kelowna’s food, wine and culinary culture.

There is also an opportunity to collectively focus more on key dates on the international food calendar.

World Food Day on October 16 and International Chefs Day on October 20 are upcoming opportunities for businesses to share content, tell their stories, and celebrate Kelowna’s gastronomy identity through their own social media channels and communications.

Looking further ahead, the community is encouraged to start thinking now about how to showcase Kelowna’s gastronomy story throughout the year, with a particular focus on October 2027. The goal is to build a strong collection of special events, experiences, and activations that celebrate Kelowna as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and give visitors and residents more opportunities to engage with the story.

Another major opportunity will come in spring 2027, when the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Taste of Place Summit comes to Kelowna on May 17 and 18. The conference will bring culinary tourism professionals to the destination and provide another platform to share Kelowna’s unique gastronomy story. Early bird pricing is available until December 31 for those interested in attending the Summit. The Culinary Tourism Alliance is also seeking items for its silent auction; learn more here.  

As Kelowna moves from its first year of UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation into the next phase of the plan, industry plays an important role. Now is the time to get involved, start planning, and add your voice to Kelowna’s story as Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. 

Thanks for the part you play and the essential ingredients you add to Kelowna’s gastronomy story.

For more information, contact me at chris.shauf@tourismkelowna.com or visit our City of Gastronomy webpage.


Missed the webinar? Watch the replay

Tourism Kelowna members who couldn't attend the October 6 session, or who want to revisit the information, can gain access to the recorded webinar by contacting Jacqui Dowling at Tourism Kelowna.