Anissa focuses on the cuisines and culinary heritage of the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Born and raised between Beirut, Lebanon, and Mashta el-Helou, Syria, she knows the Mediterranean as only a well-traveled native can.

So, who am I? I’m a sommelier, a cook, a writer, a researcher and a scientist but most of all I am a Creator d’Harmonie - I’m a matchmaker.

This year, chef and local food advocate, Jamie Kennedy, returns to Terroir. It’s been 10 years since he delivered the first key-note at the opening symposium back in 2007, giving him a unique perspective from other speakers and an understanding of the events evolution. Since the humble beginnings he’s remained an advocate and honorary member of the Terroir Symposium family.

We were the first people to bring sushi to the UK in 1994 - the first British-owned Japanese restaurant in the UK. To that extent, we were kind of the pioneers of sushi in this country. In the late 90’s we became aware of the issue with Blue fin tuna. 

Mixologist. Sommelier. Architect of potions, tonics and elixirs. Accomplished emcee, writer and cocktail judge. International spirits diplomat. Award-winning bar personality Lauren Mote wears many hats, but she’s perhaps best known as the co-proprietor of Bittered Sling — a wildly successful line of high-quality, small-batch cocktail and culinary bitters— and bar manager of the downtown Vancouver hotspot UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar.

Edouardo Jordan is the chef and owner of Solare Restaurant in Seattle, Washington -- a fairly new restaurant. Chef Jordan aims to share his experience of working up the kitchen ranks as a minority in fine dining environment until his experience today owning and running his very own establishment.