OCNews

Great food and great music have a way of bringing people together – so it only makes sense for the two Canadian cities that hold UNESCO designations in gastronomy and music to strike up a partnership.

Kelowna, which was recently named Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy, is collaborating with London, Ontario – Canada’s only UNESCO Creative City in Music, to promote cultural exchange and celebrate the unique strengths of both communities.

“One of the most exciting aspects of joining UNESCO's Creative Cities Network is the opportunity to connect with communities across Canada and around the world," said Jenn Goodwin, chair of the coordination team supporting the Kelowna City of Gastronomy designation. "There are 65 Cities of Gastronomy globally, and we are actively exploring potential international relationships. Here in Canada, there are four other UNESCO Creative Cities, including London. It made sense to find ways our two cities could join forces right away."

That collaboration is already taking shape. Following conversations earlier this year, London invited Kelowna to send a local musician to perform at the Home County Music & Art Festival on July 24 and 25.

Creative Okanagan, a regional non-profit organization that supports musicians through advocacy, artist development and event production, nominated rising country artist Jonathan Williams to represent Kelowna at the festival and is supporting him to attend.  

“Jonathan Williams’ selection is a proud moment for our community,” said Tascheleia Marangoni, Executive Director of Creative Okanagan. “We are thrilled to join with London to provide funding to help sponsor Jonathan’s travel and have him perform at Home County. This opportunity not only showcases his incredible talent – it also elevates Kelowna and the Okanagan within Canada’s creative landscape and the global UNESCO Creative Cities Network."

"UNESCO's Creative Cities Network is built on the idea that creativity thrives when communities collaborate. We're excited to welcome an artist from the Okanagan to Home County and to introduce festival audiences to Kelowna - Canada's newest UNESCO Creative City. Music and food are both powerful expressions of culture, and this partnership is a natural fit,” said Cory Crossman, Director of the London Music Office and London City of Music focal point for UNESCO.

Kelowna's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation was announced in late 2025. Since then, an organizational structure has begun to take shape, including the formation of a volunteer advisory council representing a broad cross-section of the region's food ecosystem, including chefs, farmers and agricultural producers, wineries and beverage makers, tourism organizations, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and the City of Kelowna.
 

"Collectively, we are listening to the community and engaging in conversations across the region to develop a long-term vision for gastronomy in the Okanagan," said Goodwin. "That vision will include events, educational opportunities, cultural exchanges and initiatives that celebrate and strengthen our food systems. It also means creating opportunities for people from our region to participate in events elsewhere, share their experiences and perspectives, and invite others to experience what makes the Okanagan so special."

In addition to Williams' performance, promotional materials associated with the Home County Music & Art Festival will feature information about Kelowna's UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation, encouraging visitors to discover the Okanagan's vibrant culinary culture, agricultural heritage, wineries, craft beverage producers and food experiences.

"The exchange of artists, ideas and experiences is exactly what the UNESCO network was designed to encourage. We hope this is the beginning of a long-term relationship between our two cities and a model for future collaborations across Canada's Creative Cities,” said Crossman.

The partnership marks one of the first collaborations stemming from Kelowna's UNESCO designation and demonstrates how the Creative Cities Network can create meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, economic development and community storytelling, connecting local talent with new audiences while showcasing the Okanagan's unique identity to the rest of Canada.

Additional information about the Kelowna City of Gastronomy designation is available here: https://www.tourismkelowna.com/gastronomy