Chef Jenn Louis leads a cooking presentation.
Marcus Hibdon, Communications Manager, Travel Portland with Teresa O'Neill, V.P. Global Sales, Travel Oregon
Travel Oregon's Travel Trade Manager, Lisa Itel, and Canadian Account Director, Ian Tillson
If you’re a foodie, a wine and beer lover, a nature and outdoor enthusiast, or if you want to learn more about American history and heritage, you may want to consider ‘The City of Roses’ – Portland, Oregon as your next vacation spot. With the start of AC’s seasonal service between YYZ and PDX, travelling to what locals refer to as the essence of the Pacific Northwest is now easier and faster.
Representatives from Travel Portland and Travel Oregon visited Toronto last month to promote the city and state, and to celebrate their partnership with AC. “Toronto and the east coast is a new market for Oregon and Portland,” said Marcus Hibdon, Communications Manager for Travel Portland. “So we are trying to get the word out.”
About 70 people were invited to the interactive evening, dubbed “Taste of Oregon,” and intently watched a cooking demonstration led by Portland chef, Jenn Louis. Some guests donned white aprons and assisted the celebrity chef in the evening’s dinner preparations. The event showcased the destination’s food and drink culture and diners enjoyed a selection of hand-made hors d’oeuvres, Oregon Dungeness crab salad, lamb ragu, grilled Steelhead trout served with hazelnuts and brussel sprouts, and a delicious blueberry panna cotta.
Portland is a city known for its fine cuisine and prides itself on using local and fresh ingredients. The city also houses 10 micro distilleries and 47 breweries – more than any other city in the world. “The Germans always like to argue with me on that point,” said Hibdon. Oregon is also home to the Willamette Valley, the 4th largest wine region in the U.S. The other 3 regions are in California. All modesty aside, Hibdon said that Oregon’s pinot noir was better than France’s.
AC’s daily non-stop flights between YYZ and PDX are scheduled from May 1st until October 22nd. AC will also offer a daily service between YYC and PDX and 4 daily flights between YVR and PDX. “We’re very excited to be here,” said Lisa Itel, Travel Trade Manager for Travel Oregon. “Maybe in the future, the seasonal service will turn into a year-round service.”
