Honouring excellence at the 2012 Taste of Tourism Awards

March 20, 2013 · 0 Comments

Michele Harris, executive director of the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association, presented the Tourism Event or Festival of the Year award to Le Tour de Terra Cotta Founder Ted Webb and Executive member Donna Cragg.
Photo by Bill Rea

The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association celebrated excellence in tourism and hospitality at their annual tourism awards ceremony recently.
The evening honoured those businesses and individuals that exemplify business and customer service excellence, and who help profile the Hills of Headwaters region as one of Ontario’s premier tourism destinations.
The evening was hosted at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives, with Master of Ceremonies Wayne Townsend leading guests through a casual and engaging evening of networking and socializing, and which began with fabulous taste sensations from some of the region’s finest dining establishments: Belfountain Inn, Bistro Riviere, Soulyve and Terra Nova Public House.
Recognizing the importance of arts and culture in the Hills of Headwaters region, and reinforcing a commitment to supporting business, award recipients received a handcrafted plate from potter Ann Randeraad, the Hills of Headwaters 2011 Artisan of the Year, in honour of their achievements.
The judges from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture were impressed with the calibre of nominees and finalists, and ultimately chose the following winners in each category:
Best Arts, Culture or Heritage Experience — Beauty in the Beast Exhibition (Dufferin County Museum and Archives).
Artisan of the Year — Julia Gilmore of Caledon.
Best Agri-Tourism Experience — Little Creek Ranch Farm in Mono.
Tourism Event or Festival of the Year — Le Tour de Terra Cotta.
Best Culinary Tourism Experience — Cuisine-Art at the Alton Mill.
Best Overnight Getaway Experience — Farmer’s Walk Bed and Breakfast in Orangeville.
Best Customer Service Experience (Business) — Greystones Inn and Spirits Pub in Orangeville; (Individual) — Sarah Garvie (The Donkey Farm) in Hillsburgh.
Best New Tourism Business — Wicked Shortbread in Orangeville.
Tourism Innovator — Mud Hero, which operates out of Albion Hills Conservation Area.
Tourism Ambassador — Forks Bicycle Shop of Erin.
Chairperson’s Award of Merit — Al Pace and Lin Ward (Farmhouse Pottery and Canoe North Adventures), Hockley Valley.
Nominations are now open for next year’s awards, and submissions can be made until October 2013.
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