Gros Morne has inspired everyone, from scientists to outdoor enthusiasts, and poets to world-travelers. It is one of those few rare places on earth that lives up to the reputation – you really do have to go there and cleanse your soul from time to time.

It helps there’s plenty to do, from nationally renowned festivals, to unparalleled camping, across many a town. The painters have painted it, UNESCO has crowned it, and now the food boom in NL is getting in on it.

This June, from the 6th to the 11th, the park will host its inaugural Chef in Residence program, and that chef in residence is none other than Chef Alain Bossé – AKA the Kilted Chef – who will have locals and tourists savouring a week of food-related activities.

“The program has been organized under the new banner, Savour Gros Morne – a new addition to the Creative Gros Morne family. Creative Gros Morne drives the mandate of making Gros Morne a national centre for culture and creativity,” says a spokesperson for the program.

“It is inspired by and reflecting the natural environment. Savour Gros Morne seeks to extend this mandate to the world of food, drawing ingredients from the local land and ocean waters, inspiring culinary creativity and dishes to savour.”

The intention is to grow the Chef in Residence program to an annual event, and the folks organizing Savour Gros Morne couldn’t be happier with their first chef. “A colourful character, and a renowned culinary spokesperson and advocate, he is a bestselling food author, food editor for Saltscapes Magazine and past president of Taste of Nova Scotia.

“In 2011, Chef Bosse was named the first-ever Culinary Ambassador of Nova Scotia and for almost a decade he has brought his bon vivant personality to successfully represent Atlantic Canada in various initiatives to promote local food commodities.

“Most importantly, Chef Bossé is a lot of fun! His passion for food is infectious, his dishes and attire memorable. (He’s called the Kilted Chef for good reason!) He has traveled around the world, including trips to South America, Europe, Asia, The United States and across Canada, giving presentations that are both enlightening and entertaining to chefs, future chefs and owner-operators on the use of Atlantic Canadian products and their flexibility.”

Now, Chef Bossé will bring his expertise and enthusiasm to Gros Morne for a packed week of food-related fun. He will be joined by award-winning local artisans, including glass maker Urve Manuel and fibre artist Molly White, who have produced original works that will be awarded as contest items to event attendees.

The schedule will see Chef Bossé travel to some of the most scenic spots in and around Gros Morne National Park, and it is hoped that in the future, the Gros Morne Chef in Residence program will welcome renowned chefs from all over the world to encourage new culinary opportunities for the Gros Morne region.

Each chef will bring with them their individual food journey, philosophy, and inspiration that is often tied to the region of the world that they are from. The hope is, this fusion of inspiration will lead to new ideas and business opportunities for visitors to, or residents of Gros Morne.

For more information, visit creativegrosmorne.com and click the ‘Savour Gros Morne’ tab.