Food Tourism Entrepreneurship Program (Postgraduate) (H417)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Food Tourism Entrepreneurship
  • Code: H417
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Hospitality & Tourism Management
  • Location: St. James Campus
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $8,717.00 *
  • International Tuition:
    $26,228.00 **
  • Experiential Learning:

    Experiential Learning in the format of field trips, guest speakers and industry events are explored in Semester 1 and 2. The third semester is devoted to research and work placement. Collaborations with industry members will be explored to identify opportunities for applied research and work integrated learning.

  • Spring 2023 Delivery:
    Semester 3: Hybrid

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

The Food Tourism Entrepreneurship graduate certificate prepares graduates to create "tastes of place" experiences that support local economies by fostering relationships between stakeholders in agriculture, hospitality and tourism. Exploring the geography of food and beverage, students will learn to develop partnerships to communicate and market unique experiences that emphasize sustainability and transparency. Graduates may find career opportunities at local and international tourism attractions, culinary travel groups/associations, restaurants, wineries, breweries, cideries, distillers, agricultural destinations, destination marketing and development organizations, and government agencies, in roles such as culinary tourism program manager, marketing travel consultant and conference services manager. 

Full Description

The Food Tourism Entrepreneurship program will prepare graduates to harness local economies and cultures of food and drink production and consumption and channel them into successful and resilient tourism “experience” enterprises. Geared toward diploma and degree graduates who want to specialize in food tourism development and entrepreneurship, this three-semester program builds on the strengths of George Brown's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and our Chef School. Business graduates may also be interested in pathways in this field.

Students will learn to:

  • Connect and work with businesses, communities and associations in municipal, regional, provincial, national and international locations.
  • Support local economies by fostering relationships with stakeholders in agriculture, hospitality, tourism and agritourism.
  • Bring creative entrepreneurship skills to the small and medium businesses that make up the food tourism sector.
  • Continue to provide consumers with "taste of place" experiences that build on new business models and opportunities.
  • Develop the partnerships and tools to generate, capture, communicate and market unique experiences that speak to consumer values of sustainability and traceability.

The first two semesters of this program each include six courses provided through hybrid delivery. The third semester includes three online hours of independent research project per week plus work-integrated learning experience.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Research and assess local, national and global environments for food and beverage tourism opportunities that connect to local producers and provide tourists with authentic destination experiences.
  2. Develop sustainable food and beverage tourism products and experiences that equitably support the local environment and economy while recognizing the diverse cultural needs, experiences, and practices of local and global communities.
  3. Design marketing strategies to promote existing and new food enterprises, products and experiences using a variety of platforms appropriate to the target market.
  4. Develop business plans for sustainable food enterprises that strategically respond to evolving and changing market needs.
  5. Design innovative, creative and adaptive ideas and strategies for dynamic and ever-changing food tourism enterprises, products and experiences to ensure business competitiveness and sustainability.
  6. Select sales and customer service strategies and apply them to an enterprise's needs to ensure business long-term operational sustainability.
  7. Prepare and follow a plan for ongoing personal and professional development to establish and maintain entrepreneurial networking and business relationships and opportunities.
  8. Plan, implement and evaluate projects by applying management principles to support a small business's operation and administration.
  9. Select and implement risk management strategies to support all aspects of a small business operation.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse name
HOST1165Gastronomy and Tastes of Place 1
HOST1166Entrepreneurship in Food Tourism
HOST1167Innovation and Leadership in Food Tourism
HOST1168Food Tourism Marketing
HOST1169Circular Economy and Sustainable Chef
HOST1170Global Tourism Management

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse name
HOST1211Gastronomy and Tastes of Place 2
HOST1212Event Planning for Food Tourism Management
HOST1213Fundamentals of Wine and Beverage for Tourism Management
HOST1214Food Writing and Social Media of Food
HOST1215Sustainable Tourism and Ecopreneurship
HOST1216Food Tourism Business Research

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse name
HOST1303Special Topics in Food Tourism Entrepreneurship
HOST1304Work Placement

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

 

    Career Options

    Graduates may pursue employment in such roles as:

    • Tourism Entrepreneur
    • Culinary Tourism Program Manager
    • Communications Coordinator
    • Travel Consultant
    • Food and Beverage Manager
    • Conference Services Manager

    Graduates may find career opportunities in:

    • Local and international culinary tourism attractions
    • Culinary travel agencies/tour groups/associations
    • Restaurants and resorts
    • Farms and fisheries providing tourism experiences
    • Wineries, breweries, cideries and distillers
    • Destination marketing and development organizations
    • Government agencies

    Industry

    The food tourism sector's return to the impressive growth and innovation of pre-pandemic years is going to be founded on creative entrepreneurship and local "taste of place" experiences that explore the geography of food and beverage in traditional and new ways. According to Destination Canada, Canadians spend $43 billion a year outside the country, while inbound visitors to Canada spend $22 billion. There is an immense opportunity within Canada and, as Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, has said, “If we could capture 25 per cent of that outbound revenue it would be a huge boost to our industry.” New enterprises that grow from the disruption of the global pandemic will be agile, local and will reinvent the way consumers connect with their culinary landscape.

    Educational Pathways

    This graduate certificate program is well suited to graduates of programs in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, business or marketing, including:

    • Baking and Pastry Arts Management (H113)
    • Culinary Management (H100/H116)
    • Culinary Management – Nutrition (H119)
    • Food and Beverage Management – Restaurant Management (H132)
    • Hotel Operations Management (H133)
    • Special Event Management (H131)
    • Tourism and Hospitality Management (H130)
    • a wide variety of business programs

    Tuition and Fees

    Domestic Tuition

    $8,717.00 *

    International Tuition

    $26,228.00 **

    Additional Costs

    *Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of the programs starting in the fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and later dates.

    ** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of the program starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for program semesters starting at later dates.

    International Students

    Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

    Financial Assistance

    The OSAP eligibility for this program has yet to be reviewed by the Ministry.

    Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

    How to Qualify and Apply

    Admission Requirements

    A diploma or bachelor's degree in Food and Beverage Management, Hotel Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Special Event Management, Culinary Management, Culinary Management – Nutrition, Business or a related area.

    Applicants who do not meet the above requirements but who have experience in the industry may submit a resumé and be interviewed for consideration.

    COURSE EXEMPTIONS

    College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit our Transfer Credit Guide for more information.

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

    Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the college level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for the program. In addition, applicants who are accepted based on work experience only will be required to take the English Admissions Assessment in order to evaluate the appropriate level of English language proficiency.

    Please visit English Proficiency for more details.

    International Students

    Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

    Special Requirements

    HEALTH POLICY

    Students should be aware that various allergens including nuts, dairy and shellfish are routinely used in practice labs. Students should also note that George Brown College is sensitive to religious observances; however, while products purchased for consumption meet all provincial and federal regulations, they may not meet specific dietary laws related to halal and kosher foods.

    How to Apply

    Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.

    International Students

    Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

    International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

    Contact Us

    CONTACT US

    DOMESTIC STUDENT ADMISSIONS

    For inquiries about domestic admission requirements, admission deadlines, or the admissions process, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@georgebrown.ca or visit the Admissions web page.

    FINANCIAL/FEES

    For inquiries about OSAP, bursaries, scholarships and other financial inquiries, please contact the Financial Aid Office at FinAid@georgebrown.ca or visit the Financial Aid web page.

    Food Tourism Entrepreneurship (H417)

    For general School of Hospitality and Tourism Management related inquiries, please contact chcastudentsupport@georgebrown.ca

    For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

     

    International Students

    Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

    Visit Our Campus

    Join us for an upcoming Discovery Day, where you will learn more about your area of interest, get a first-hand look at our facilities and meet with representatives from George Brown College.

    Sign up for our Open House Discovery Day

    Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

    Food Tourism Entrepreneurship Program (H417)

    2022-20232023-2024
    • Program Name:
      Food Tourism Entrepreneurship
    • Code: H417
    • Credential:
      Ontario College Graduate Certificate
    • Method of Study:
      Full-time
    • Duration:
      1 year (3 semesters)
    • Centre:
    • School: Hospitality & Tourism Management
    • Location: St. James Campus
    • Starting Months: September
    • Domestic Tuition:
      $8,690.00*
    • Experiential Learning:

      The 3rd semester is devoted to experiential learning. It is anticipated that most, if not all, experiences will be paid. Collaborations with industry partners will also be explored to identify opportunities for applied research experiential learning. In the 3rd semester, there will be an experiential learning trip connected to course outcomes.

    • Spring 2022 Delivery:
      Semester 3: Hybrid

    Compare up to 3 programs

    Overview

    Program Overview

    The Food Tourism Entrepreneurship graduate certificate prepares graduates to create "tastes of place" experiences that support local economies by fostering relationships between stakeholders in agriculture, hospitality and tourism. Exploring the geography of food and beverage, students will learn to develop partnerships to communicate and market unique experiences that emphasize sustainability and transparency. Graduates may find career opportunities at local and international tourism attractions, culinary travel groups/associations, restaurants, wineries, breweries, cideries, distillers, agricultural destinations, destination marketing and development organizations, and government agencies, in roles such as Culinary Tourism Program Manager, Marketing Travel Consultant and Conference Services Manager. 

    Full Description

    The Food Tourism Entrepreneurship program will prepare graduates to harness local economies and cultures of food and drink production and consumption, and channel them into successful and resilient tourism “experience” enterprises. Geared towards diploma and degree graduates who want to specialize in food tourism development and entrepreneurship, this three-semester program builds on the strengths of George Brown's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and our Chef School. Business graduates may also be interested in pathways in this field.

    Students will learn to:

    • Connect and work with businesses, communities and associations in municipal, regional, provincial, national and international locations.
    • Support local economies by fostering relationships with stakeholders in agriculture, hospitality, tourism and agritourism.
    • Bring creative entrepreneurship skills to the small and medium businesses that make up the food tourism sector.
    • Continue to provide consumers with "taste of place" experiences that build on new business models and opportunities.
    • Develop the partnerships and tools to generate, capture, communicate and market unique experiences that speak to consumer values of sustainability and traceability.

    The first two semesters of this program each include six courses provided through hybrid delivery. The third semester includes six online hours per week plus work-integrated learning, an independent study project and an experiential learning trip.

    Program Learning Outcomes

    1. Research and assess local, national and global environments for food and beverage tourism opportunities that connect to local producers and provide tourists with authentic destination experiences.
    2. Develop sustainable food and beverage tourism products and experiences that equitably support the local environment and economy while recognizing the diverse cultural needs, experiences, and practices of local and global communities.
    3. Design marketing strategies to promote existing and new food enterprises, products and experiences using a variety of platforms appropriate to the target market.
    4. Develop business plans for sustainable food enterprises that strategically respond to evolving and changing market needs.
    5. Design innovative, creative and adaptive ideas and strategies for dynamic and ever-changing food tourism enterprises, products and experiences to ensure business competitiveness and sustainability.
    6. Select sales and customer service strategies and apply them to an enterprise's needs to ensure business long-term operational sustainability.
    7. Prepare and follow a plan for ongoing personal and professional development to establish and maintain entrepreneurial networking and business relationships and opportunities.
    8. Plan, implement and evaluate projects by applying management principles to support a small business's operation and administration.
    9. Select and implement risk management strategies to support all aspects of a small business operation.

    Courses

    Required Courses

    INFORMATION ABOUT FALL 2021

    Information about the courses being delivered for this program in the Fall 2021 semester is now available.

    SEMESTER 1

    CodeCourse name
    HOST1165Gastronomy and Tastes of Place 1
    HOST1166Entrepreneurship in Food Tourism
    HOST1167Innovation and Leadership in Food Tourism
    HOST1168Food Tourism Marketing
    HOST1169Circular Economy and Sustainable Chef
    HOST1170Global Tourism Management

    SEMESTER 2

    CodeCourse name
    HOST1211Gastronomy and Tastes of Place 2
    HOST1212Event Planning for Food Tourism Management
    HOST1213Fundamentals of Wine and Beverage for Tourism Management
    HOST1214Food Writing and Social Media of Food
    HOST1215Sustainable Tourism and Ecopreneurship
    HOST1216Food Tourism Business Research

    SEMESTER 3

    CodeCourse name
    HOST1303Special Topics in Food Tourism Entrepreneurship
    HOST1304Work Placement

    Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

    Your Career

    Graduates may find career opportunities in:

    • Local and international culinary tourism attractions
    • Culinary travel agencies/tour groups/associations
    • Restaurants and resorts
    • Farms and fisheries providing tourism experiences
    • Wineries, breweries, cideries and distillers
    • Destination marketing and development organizations
    • Government agencies

    Career Options

    Graduates may pursue employment in such roles as:

    • Tourism Entrepreneur
    • Culinary Tourism Program Manager
    • Communications Coordinator
    • Travel Consultant
    • Food and Beverage Manager
    • Conference Services Manager

    Industry

    The food tourism sector's return to the impressive growth and innovation of pre-pandemic years is going to be founded on creative entrepreneurship and local "taste of place" experiences that explore the geography of food and beverage in traditional and new ways. According to Destination Canada, Canadians spend $43 billion a year outside the country, while inbound visitors to Canada spend $22 billion. There is immense opportunity within Canada and, as Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, has said, “If we could capture 25% of that outbound revenue it would be a huge boost to our industry.” New enterprises that grow from the disruption of the global pandemic will be agile, local and will reinvent the way consumers connect with their culinary landscape.

    Educational Pathways

    This graduate certificate program is well suited to graduates of programs in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, business or marketing, including:

    • Baking and Pastry Arts Management (H113)
    • Culinary Management (H100/H116)
    • Culinary Management – Nutrition (H119)
    • Food and Beverage Management – Restaurant Management (H132)
    • Hotel Operations Management (H133)
    • Special Event Management (H131)
    • Tourism and Hospitality Management (H130)
    • A wide variety of Business programs

    Tuition and Fees

    Domestic Tuition

    $8,690.00*

    Additional Costs

    *Amounts listed are the total of tuition, ancillary fees, student service and materials for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and at later dates.

    International Students

    Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

    Financial Assistance

    This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

    Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

    How to Qualify and Apply

    Admission Requirements

    A diploma or bachelor's degree in Food and Beverage Management, Hotel Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Special Event Management, Culinary Management, Culinary Management – Nutrition, Business or a related area.

    Applicants who do not meet the above requirements but who have experience in the industry may submit a resume and be interviewed for consideration.

    COURSE EXEMPTIONS

    College or University credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit our Transfer Credit Guide for more information.

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

    Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for the program. In addition, applicants who are accepted based on work experience only will be required to take the English Admissions Assessment in order to evaluate the appropriate level of English language proficiency.

    Please visit English Proficiency for more details.

    International Students

    Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

    Special Requirements

    HEALTH POLICY

    Students should be aware that various allergens including nuts, dairy and shellfish are routinely used in practice labs. Students should also note that George Brown College is sensitive to religious observances; however, while products purchased for consumption meet all provincial and federal regulations, they may not meet specific dietary laws related to Halal and Kosher foods.

    How to Apply

    Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.

    International Students

    Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

    International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

    Contact Us

    CONTACT US

    DOMESTIC STUDENT ADMISSIONS

    For inquiries about domestic admission requirements, admission deadlines, or the admissions process, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@georgebrown.ca or visit the Admissions web page.

    FINANCIAL/FEES

    For inquiries about OSAP, bursaries, scholarships and other financial inquiries, please contact the Financial Aid Office at FinAid@georgebrown.ca or visit the Financial Aid web page.

    Food Tourism Entrepreneurship (H417)

    For general School of Hospitality and Tourism Management related inquiries, please contact chcastudentsupport@georgebrown.ca

    For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

     

    International Students

    Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

    Visit Our Campus

    Join us for an upcoming Discovery Day, where you will learn more about your area of interest, get a first-hand look at our facilities and meet with representatives from George Brown College.

    Sign up for our Open House Discovery Day

    Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.