About KCA

Q: What other destinations are embracing culinary tourism?

Waterloo, ON Waterloo promotes its local farms and producers with its “Buy Local! Buy Fresh!” movement and has been a pioneer in promoting healthy food through its non-profit organization,”Foodlink Waterloo Region.” The Kitchener-Waterloo region is perhaps most well-known for its recognition as the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany, drawing in hundreds of thousands of culinary tourists every year. Surrey, BC Surrey has developed initiatives like the the “Surrey Spice Trail,” a self-guided tour featuring over 70 establishments, and “Surrey’s Signature Experiences,” which features guided tours, cooking classes, and unique honeybee experiences to position the city as a culinary hub. Plus, annual events like “Food Truck Wars” featuring 35 food trucks and competitive titles, further activate the culinary landscape. Stockport, UK Foodie Friday is a highly popular, award-winning street food event held on the last Friday of every month in the historic Market Place of Stockport. It transforms the old market square into a vibrant hub of culinary activity, featuring a diverse lineup of independent street food vendors, craft beer and cider stalls, and live music.

Kingston's culinary sector is a central driver of the city's visitor economy and community identity, with more than 130 restaurants contributing significantly to tourism, culture, and year-round economic activity. Established in 2026, the Kingston Culinary Association (KCA) is an industry-led organization created to strengthen Kingston's culinary sector, advance culinary tourism, and provide a unified voice for advocacy, collaboration, and destination development.

Vision

To establish Kingston as a nationally recognized culinary destination where food, culture, and community drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

Mission

To support and advance Kingston’s culinary sector by building industry connections, advocating for shared priorities, and delivering initiatives that create value for members while strengthening the destination and growing culinary tourism.

Meet Katie Ardington

Katie’s love for the kitchen began at 13, washing dishes in her hometown of Brockville, Ontario. What started as a first job quickly became a lifelong path, leading her to the culinary program at Algonquin College, where she graduated with honours in 2003. She built her career with the Beckta Restaurant Group, rising from the line to become Chef de Cuisine at both Play Food & Wine and Beckta Dining & Wine. In 2016, Katie was honoured to serve as Chef at 24 Sussex Drive, cooking for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She returned to Beckta as Executive Chef in 2018, leading multiple award-winning restaurants while mentoring and supporting the next generation of culinary professionals. Recognized as one of the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Top 30 Under 30 in 2010, Katie is known for her thoughtful leadership, respect for craft, and genuine care for the people who bring hospitality to life.

Now a chef, professor, and MBA candidate in Hospitality and Tourism, Katie brings both industry depth and a forward-looking perspective to her role as Managing Director of the Kingston Culinary Association. She is passionate about building a stronger, more connected hospitality community—one that not only supports its people and businesses, but also tells a confident and compelling culinary story. Katie is excited to help shape a vibrant future for Kingston’s food scene, elevating the region as a destination while championing the creativity, resilience, and talent that define its hospitality sector.

Board of Directors

William Arnaud

Co-Owner and Operator – Otter Creek Kitchen, Catering and Food Truck
Heather Ford

Owner and Operator – Kingston Food Tours
Stev George

Chef and Owner – Olivea, Riva, and Bobbi Pecorino’s Italian Wine Bar
U1 Board Member

Board Member
Tim Pater

Owner and Operator – Black Dog Hospitality Group
Amber Thom

Owner and Operator – The Everly Restaurant, The Everly Wine & Provisions Shop

Culinary Tourism

What is culinary tourism?

Culinary tourism, also known as food tourism, involves travellers seeking unique and memorable food experiences that can range from high-end dining to hole-in-the-wall spots, with a focus on authentic, local, and experiential food encounters. This means moving beyond traditional restaurant dining to embrace street food, local markets, farm-to-table experiences, cooking classes, and food tours that offer genuine engagement with a region’s culture and heritage.

What other destinations are embracing culinary tourism?

Waterloo, ON
Waterloo promotes its local farms and producers with its “Buy Local! Buy Fresh!” movement and has been a pioneer in promoting healthy food through its non-profit organization,”Foodlink Waterloo Region.” The Kitchener-Waterloo region is perhaps most well-known for its recognition as the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany, drawing in hundreds of thousands of culinary tourists every year.

Surrey, BC
Surrey has developed initiatives like the the “Surrey Spice Trail,” a self-guided tour featuring over 70 establishments, and “Surrey’s Signature Experiences,” which features guided tours, cooking classes, and unique honeybee experiences to position the city as a culinary hub. Plus, annual events like “Food Truck Wars” featuring 35 food trucks and competitive titles, further activate the culinary landscape.

Stockport, UK
Foodie Friday is a highly popular, award-winning street food event held on the last Friday of every month in the historic Market Place of Stockport. It transforms the old market square into a vibrant hub of culinary activity, featuring a diverse lineup of independent street food vendors, craft beer and cider stalls, and live music.