The Nation's Table
The Governor General hosts hundreds of events in the course of a year to honour Canadians from all walks of life, to recognize excellence and accomplishment as well as to receive Canadian and foreign dignitaries. Offering hospitality is a traditional way of receiving guests and an important part of the role of the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces.
Guests enjoy culinary creations based on distinctively Canadian ingredients that are fresh, seasonal and organic. The menus are as diverse as the people being honoured. At Rideau Hall and at the Citadelle, guests travel the country with every meal and discover the bounty of the nation's table.
"A table is not simply a place to tantalize the taste buds. Whether it is in Charlottetown, Regina, Uculet, Rankin Inlet or Port Dalhousie, it is a place to meet and share conversation, a place where ideas meld as easily as the flavours. It is where Canadians of all ages, cultural backgrounds and fields of experience gather around to share their hopes, their fears and their dreams; a place where our collective stories are told and passed from one generation to the next."
His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, 2010