Global Table Toronto: A World of Culture & Food Conference
October 3 to 5, 2027
Experience a new international conference celebrating culinary arts and cultural heritage and the connections between historic and contemporary culinary traditions.
Located in the heart of downtown at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, the conference brings together museum and heritage professionals, culinary practitioners, artists and entrepreneurs to delve into how food — its creation, preparation, representation and presentation — links local experiences to global stories.
Join in to share ideas, build relationships and showcase innovative approaches to storytelling, audience engagement and collaboration which connect food stories of the past to how we create, eat, gather and celebrate today.
Call for Proposals
Proposals are invited on the following themes:
- Art, Material Culture and Food: Delving into food through art and material culture, from artistic representation to the objects used to prepare, serve and share it
- Culinary Arts: Highlighting food as a creative practice, featuring chefs, bakers and food makers as cultural contributors
- Foodways in Museum and Heritage Spaces: Interpreting history and community through food, with a focus on Indigenous knowledge, diaspora and food sovereignty.
| Type | Length | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Big Idea Conversations | 45 minutes discussion plus 15 minutes for audience Q&A | Moderated conversations or panels. |
| Lightening Talks | 5 minutes | 20 slides on auto-advance; One idea, one object, one recipe, one community, one success or one failure. |
| Food, Fine Art and Material Culture | 15 minutes | Honest reflections on a project, initiative, exhibition, program, or partnership with focus on lessons learned. |
| Interactive Workshops | 60 minutes | 15 minute framing presentation, 45 minute facilitated break outgroups, problem-solving or hands-on activity. |
| Food Demos and Tastings | 30 minutes | Culinary demonstrations paired with stories of culture, heritage and place. |
Proposals will be reviewed based on:
- Relevance to the conference’s vision and program themes
- Strength and clarity of the proposed idea
- Fresh or distinctive perspectives
- Potential for learning, conversation and knowledge exchange
- Connection between food, culture, heritage, art and/or community
- Audience engagement and suitability for the proposed format
- Feasibility
- Contribution to a diverse and balanced overall program.
The programming committee may contact applicants to discuss modifications to a proposed format, combine complementary proposals or invite applicants to participate in a different session format.
How to Submit
Interested presenters can submit a proposal by completing the online form below. The deadline for submission is December 31.
All presenters will be responsible for conference registration fees as well as their own travel, accommodation and all other related expenses.
Contact
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Conference registration opens in March 2027. Subscribe to the Toronto History Museums mailing list and be alerted when registration opens.