National Gathering Celebrates the People Shaping the Future of Food in Canada

GUELPH, ONTARIO – May 29, 2026

Food Day Canada, in partnership with Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Good Food Innovation Awards (GFIA), recognizing leaders whose work is helping shape a more resilient, connected, sustainable and inspiring Canadian food future.  

Hosted at the Anita Stewart Memorial Food Lab at the University of Guelph, the curated gathering brought together innovators from across agriculture, culinary arts, food literacy, Indigenous foodways, sustainability, hospitality, media and community development. The event created space for cross-sector dialogue and collaboration around the future of food.

Founded by the late Anita Stewart, the Good Food Innovation Awards were created to celebrate the people and ideas moving Canadian food culture forward — not only in restaurants and institutions, but in farms, schools, fishing communities, northern regions, local markets, community kitchens, media platforms and everyday tables across the country.  

“We talk a lot about the future of food, and it’s already being built by those who understand that nourishing a community, stewarding an ecosystem, and keeping a food tradition alive are all acts of innovation,” says Evan Fraser, Executive Director of Arrell Food Institute. “This year’s recipients are a powerful example of that. Transformation in food systems isn’t only technical. It’s cultural, it’s relational and it depends on people.”

The 2026 recipients collectively represent many of the defining themes shaping Canada’s evolving food landscape: regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, local economic resilience, Indigenous leadership, sustainability, storytelling, culinary creativity, accessibility, youth leadership and community-based food innovation.  

2026 Good Food Innovation Awards Recipients

• Elisabeth Burrows, Emerging Canadian Food Leader
• Imrun Texeira, Emerging Canadian Food Leader
• Ashley Swan, Community Food Innovator
• Connie Powers, Good Food Storyteller
• Warren Barr, Canadian Menu Trailblazer
• Ajoah Mintah, Community Food Innovator
• Restaurant Pearl Morissette and RPM Bakeshop, Canadian Menu Trailblazer
• Stephanie Baryluk, Northern / Indigenous Food Champion
• Qwustenuxun (Jared) Williams, Northern / Indigenous Food Champion

There was also a special mention for Culinary Tourism Alliance for their work.

“Anita (mom) would be so happy to see the breadth of work and diversity of talent being recognized with these awards,” says Jeff Stewart, Executive Director of Food Day Canada. “You can see the impact these awards have on each recipient through the passion, purpose and sense of community they bring to their work.”

Rather than focusing solely on traditional award categories, the 2026 awards emphasized the interconnected ideas defining the future of food in Canada. The recipients’ work reflects Food Day Canada’s core values: celebrating Canadian ingredients, strengthening communities, advancing education and research, supporting environmental sustainability and elevating food sovereignty and food security.  

The day also marked an important continuation of Anita Stewart’s legacy as one of Canada’s most influential voices in food culture. Her belief that “Canada is food and the world is richer for it” continues to inspire a new generation of leaders working across the food system.  

The Good Food Innovation Awards are expected to continue growing as a national platform celebrating excellence, collaboration, and leadership in Canadian food culture.

Food Day Canada’s national celebrations continue August 1, inviting Canadians from coast to coast to coast to shop, cook, dine, and celebrate Canadian food.

About Food Day Canada

Food Day Canada is a national celebration of Canadian food, agriculture, and culinary culture founded by Anita Stewart in 2003. Through storytelling, partnerships, and signature events across Canada, Food Day Canada champions local food systems, Canadian producers, chefs, restaurants, researchers and communities.  

About Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

Arrell Food Institute exists to help shape sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems through research, collaboration, innovation and leadership. Based at the University of Guelph, AFI connects research to policy, practice, education and public discourse while convening diverse partners to address complex food systems challenges in Canada and around the world. AFI’s work focuses on strengthening food security, climate resilience and the next generation of food systems leaders.

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