OTTAWA, June 22, 2021 — Billed as ‘The Chef's Table at the National Arts Centre’ this multi-weekend event will showcase world class chefs, great live music, and a table alongside the Rideau Canal, on the terrace of the NAC's newly renovated 1 Elgin (formerly Le Café). This will be a reprise of last year’s highly acclaimed event, which took place throughout September of 2020. Thanks to this dynamic partnership between the National Arts Centre, the Team Behind Bluesfest, and the Ontario Festival of Small Halls, ‘The Chef's Table at the National Arts Centre’ once again promises to hit all the right notes for foodies and music fans alike—on land and on water. “There seemed to be quite an appetite for a respite from the pandemic, last year—the first weekend of the 2020 Chef's Table sold out within the first 12 hours of going on sale, and the remaining weekends soon followed suit. We’re expecting a similar response this year, so we’re extending the programming to span six weekends.” says Mark Monahan, the event’s executive director. “People have been cooped up for far too long, so this is a way for folks to enjoy an outdoor dining experience on a terrace in the heart of the city, listening to live music performed on a boat moored on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO world heritage site.” The ‘Team Behind Bluesfest’ first launched the Ontario Festival of Small Halls (F.O.S.H.) with small steps—staging music events in historically important venues in a few small towns and villages near Ottawa, in Ontario, and featuring some notable Canadian talent. Then, F.O.S.H. organizers introduced the Chef’s Table to their programming. The Chef's Table was created to highlight world class chefs utilizing local farm products to create a 'farm-to-table’ experience. The 2021 Chef’s Table lineup will include some of the region's most celebrated musical acts performing from a boat/stage on the water, and the respective menus will be curated by Chef Kenton Leier (of the National Arts Centre), along with several of Canada's best chefs. The 2021 event will launch on the weekend of (August 13 & 14). The first weekend’s menu will be curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Nick Benninger (‘Fat Sparrow Group’, Waterloo ON) with music by Dueling Pianos. 2nd Weekend – August 20 & 21 - menu curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Yannick Anton (‘Signatures - by Le Cordon Bleu’, Ottawa ON) with music by the Jackson Miles Trio. 3rd Weekend – August 27 & 28 - menu curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Renée Lavallée (‘The Canteen’, Dartmouth N.S.) with music by Renée Landry. 4th Weekend - September 3 & 4 - menu curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Sara Shpyth (Ottawa ON) with music by The Commotions feat. Rebecca Noelle. 5th Weekend - September 10 & 11 - menu curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Joe Thottungal (‘Coconut Lagoon’, Ottawa ON) with music by Dueling Pianos. 6th Weekend - September 17 &18 - menu curated by Chefs Kenton Leier (NAC) and Joseph Shawana (Manitoulin Island, ON) with music by Celeigh Cardinal. When asked what patrons can look forward to, Nelson Borges, General Manager | Food and Beverage at the NAC said: "Much like last year, guests will enjoy an exceptional dining experience created by some of Canada’s top chefs, carefully selected through the NAC’s Resident Chef program, which highlights culinary talent from across Canada. "We’re thrilled to be hosting Chef’s Table from our terrace again this year, and especially pleased to welcome guests to an elegant, new structure we’ve introduced which is both ideal for protecting guests from inclement weather and newly furnished with gorgeous granite tables imported from Brazil, and elegant, sustainably constructed lounge furniture to complete the sophisticated look of our new outdoor space," concludes Borges. TICKETS will be available Thursday, June 24 at: ontariosmallhalls.comPlease note: this event will follow COVID protocols and public health guidelines in place at the time.
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