A group of seafood buyers and chefs from India is visiting Prince Edward Island as part of an Atlantic Canada Trade Mission to explore the potential of purchasing Island fish and seafood products for export, says Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Ron MacKinley.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our seafood processors to showcase the high quality and high value of Prince Edward Island seafood products,” said Minister MacKinley. “I am pleased with the partnerships we have established with industry and with other levels of government to promote Atlantic Canada seafood products in international markets.”
The province is partnering on the seafood export initiative with ACOA and the Atlantic Canada World Trade Centre. The visiting delegation includes chefs from large hotels, including the Taj Hotels, a leading hotel company in India; chefs from large retail and distribution companies, high-end restaurants and cafes; and celebrity TV chef Vicki Ratnani.
The group will be meeting with representatives from the Prince Edward Island seafood processing industry. They will also tour Canada’s Smartest Kitchen at the Culinary Institute of Canada.
“Providing seafood processors with the opportunity to bring their products directly to buyers and chefs will help develop business relationships and open up new international markets for export,” said Minister MacKinley. “There is great potential to expand our seafood exports into new markets and our department is actively promoting Island seafood in countries around the world.”
BACKGROUNDER
Members of the Indian delegation
Mr. Ashish Seth represents the Taj Hotels Group, a leading hotel company with 130 hotels, 100 of them in India. The Taj Hotels are high-end properties with several first-class restaurants in each hotel.
Mr. Moshe Shek is a trendsetting restaurateur who has both signature restaurants and upscale cafes.
Mr. Vicky Ratnani is a celebrity chef who has a regular show on NDTV.
Mr. Vikas Seth is the corporate chef of Cambay Prawns, a large producer, processor, distributor, wholesaler and retailer of seafood products.
Mr. Debashish Mukherjee is the product development chef with the Future Group, a fast growing retail food chain and part of the giant Pantaloon Retail Group, a major consumer products retailer.
Mr. Surjan Singh is chef of the Renaissance Hotels, which includes the Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and is part of a hotel management company that operates 20 properties under the Marriott and Courtyard banners.