Food, beer and wine programs coming to Aurora, Ont.

Aurora, Ont. – The Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College will offer short-term and part-time training in culinary skills, commercial brewing and viticulture in Aurora, Ont.

The training will take place at a soon-to-be-restored armoury is aimed at both food industry professionals and the general public.

The partnership helps Aurora achieve its Strategic Plan goal of bringing post-secondary training to town, while addressing the ongoing need for community space, the Town of Aurora said in a news release.

The Armoury building will undergo a $4-million restoration to create a space to support the Institute and provide space for community gatherings, town hall meetings, events and training opportunities.

The space, which will be open to the public and made available for rentals upon request, may be open as early as the end of 2018.

It will include incubator space, a culinary demonstration theatre and a wine and beverage sensory lab. Initial conceptual plans include a classroom, teaching kitchen, reception/event/multipurpose space and an extensive shaded patio overlooking Town Park.

“Recognition is growing for the expertise the CFWI has cultivated in the culinary, wine and beer sciences, and we’re excited to share our unique expertise with new audiences,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Niagara College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute.

Youdale will be present at the general committee meeting in the Council Chambers at Town Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. where he will share the institute’s vision for the space and details of the partnership agreement.

For more information on the facility, visit www.aurora.ca/armoury.

For more information on the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, visit www.canadianfoodandwineinstitute.ca.