Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Once again, Atlantic Canada Lobster created appetite for Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada businesses in Europe, while the Global Clipper Race united cultures from around the world.
A sumptuous Atlantic Canada Lobster dinner was held on July 14 for approximately 80 guests in the palatial surrounds of the Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin, in Noordvijk Aan Zee. Chairman of the Netherlands-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Joost Hasperhoven, signed the Commemoration of Friendship scroll witnessed by His Excellency Jim Wall, Canada’s Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Mr Hasperhoven, who is Benelux Manager for Air Canada said: “It is an honour to represent the Netherlands business community in my role as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and to join the esteemed international signatories of Cape Breton’s Commemoration of Friendship.”
The prestigious venue created the perfect setting to host the dinner prepared by Jacqui Grobler, resident chef at Cape Breton Island’s Keltic Lodge, and the kitchen team at the Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin. Guests included Canadian seafood and renewable energy businesses and their Dutch counterparts as part of a European trade delegation visiting Holland and the UK for the climax of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.
There was an additional buzz at the reception that preceded the dinner as the hotel is also hosting the Netherlands’ national football team on their triumphant return from South Africa as runners up to this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Canadian Ambassador, His Excellency Jim Wall, congratulated the organizers of the dinner, the trade mission, and Cape Breton Island for currently holding third place in the Clipper 09-10 Race. He said: “As you will see, our people are experts in water and in the sea, with a great taste for seafood; they are experts in Renewable Energies and they are experts in exporting to the rest of Europe. I think it is a happy marriage if you can increase exports to the Netherlands while enjoying Atlantic Canada Lobster from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. I wish you well with your trade matchmaking in Europe over the next few days.”
The Seafood delegation consisted of:
Clearwater Seafoods Ltd. Partnership
Ocean Choice International
3T’s Ltd.
Gidney Fisheries Ltd.
The renewable energy contingent consisted of:
BioEnergy Inc.
Cape Breton University Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment
The delegation was led by Darlene Sponagle and Gerard Shaw of ECBC and also included Michael Young – World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada, Janice Ruddock from Taste of Nova Scotia and Chef Jacqui Grobler of the Keltic Lodge.