Every year, some of the top chefs in North America — collectively referred to as The Northern Chefs Alliance — gather somewhere to learn about the culinary methods, terroir, and ingredients of the place in which they convene. Seems this year — this week, actually — our city is in luck.

Local culinary hero Jeremy Charles of Raymonds & The Merchant House fame is joining forces with Matt Jennings of Townsman (Boston) to host the event. Jennings is a co-founder of The Northern Chefs Alliance — which is considered to be a sort of “culinary think‐tank with a mission to educate and affect positive change in the industry.”

Since 2013, “the chefs have gathered to exchange methods and ingredients while creating a once in a lifetime opportunity for local gourmands to experience meals created by these superstars of the culinary world.” A different chef hosts each Northern Chefs Alliance event, coordinating alongside a local not-for-profit to create a unique fundraising and awareness opportunity.

This year’s gathering takes place here from July 23rd through to the 26th. In addition to “celebrating northern foods and exploring the wild ingredients Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer,” the event will act as a fundraiser to help move the St. John’s Farmers’ Market to its new permanent location in the old Metrobus building on Freshwater Road.

The chefs participating this year include, from Canada, host Jeremy Charles – Raymonds, St. John’s; Derek Dammann – Maison Publique, Montreal; Antonio Park – Park, Montreal; John Horne – Canoe, Toronto; Matty Matheson, Parts and Labour Toronto and Rob Gentile – Buca, Toronto. Joining them from the US will be Matt Jennings - Townsman, Boston; Nicole Krasinski and Stuart Brioza – both with State Bird Provisions & The Progress, San Francisco; Jenn Louis – Lincoln, Portland; and Justin Smillie – Upland, New York.

The chefs will arrive in St. John’s on July 23rd and gather for a private function. July 24th and 25th they will fish, forage, and prep for a July 26th culinary event at the Merchant Tavern in aid of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market expansion. There are a limited number of tickets available for this event.

To book a ticket for an evening with the Northern Chefs Alliance in support of the St. John’s Farmers’ Market please call The Merchant Tavern at (709) 722-5050.