Wolfville, N.S. (October 27, 2016) – Each year, Devour! The Food Film Fest’s line-up of local chefs is the most anticipated course on the menu, with this year being no exception. Highlighting Nova Scotia’s world class culinary talent, the sixth edition of the festival promises to be a mouth-watering experience from beginning to end.
“Devour! provides the perfect stage to showcase the very best our region has to offer,” says Michael Howell, executive director of Devour!
The Government of Canada is providing a $40,000 contribution to Devour! through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)’s Business Development Program, to help further promote and develop the area’s offerings.
“Devour! draws audiences attracted by a film line-up second to none as well as the best in local food and cuisine,” says the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “The Government of Canada is pleased to support Devour! as it generates exceptional opportunities for the area accenting the region’s culinary tourism paired with a growing number of artisanal wineries.”
The sixth edition of Devour! kicks off in grand style with the Devour! Opening Gala Reception presented by Taste of Nova Scotia on November 2. Thirteen of Nova Scotia’s most renowned chefs come together on opening night to create a sensory exploration that celebrates local cuisine. Participating Nova Scotia Chefs include: Charlie Burtt (The Port Pub), Chris Velden (The Flying Apron Inn & Cookery), Howard Selig (Valley Flaxflour), Ingrid Dunsworth (The Cake Lady), Jonathan Joseph (Argyler Lodge and Restaurant), Julie Cook (Agricola Street Brasserie), Kim Magistro (Restaurant Avalon at Castle Rock Country Inn), Mark Gray (Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery), Shane Robilliard (Fox Harb’r Resort), Martin Ruiz Salvador (Half Shell Oysters & Seafood), Mike McKinnon (Acadia University), Renée Lavallée (The Canteen), and Steph Ogilvie (Brooklyn Warehouse). Guests on this special night will also be treated to drinks from: L’Acadie Vineyards, Authentic Seacoast Company, Benjamin Bridge, Garrison Brewing Company, Gaspereau Vineyards, Grand Pré Wines, Lightfoot & Wolfville, Luckett Vineyards, Meander River Farm & Brewery, Muwin Estate Wines Ltd, Planter’s Ridge and Rudder’s Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub.
From Thursday to Saturday night, national culinary heavyweights will pair up with local culinary sensations to take over the Wolfville Farmers’ Market and create three decadent meals inspired by highlighted festival films.
- On Thursday, Chefs Ardon Mofford (Governor’s Pub & Eatery) and Martin Ruíz Salvador (Half Shell Oysters & Seafood) will join Chefs Normand Laprise (Toqué, Montréal), John Higgins (Food Network’s Chopped Canada and George Brown College, Toronto) and Stephen Wall (Supply + Demand, Ottawa) to take the film Theater of Life to culinary heights.
- On Friday night, Chefs Ray Bear (Studio East Food + Drink), Mark Gray (Battery Park & Brooklyn Warehouse) and Andru Branch (Dartmouth North Community Food Centre) will team up with Chefs John Sundstrom (Lark, Seattle) and Dale MacKay (winner of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada and Ayden Kitchen & Bar, Saskatoon) to create Sour Grapes-inspired feast for the senses.
- Saturday’s sold out dinner sees Chefs Renée Lavallée (The Canteen), Bee Choo Char (Prince George Hotel) and Laura MacLeod (The Old Apothecary Bakery & Café) collaborate with Chefs Barbara Lynch (Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston) Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill Restaurants & Trucks, Los Angeles), Christine Flynn (iQ Food Co., Toronto) and Charlotte Langley (Toronto) to compose a five-course dinner inspired by the highly-anticipate world premiere of The Goddesses of Food.
New this year, the fan-favoured Select Nova Scotia Food Truck Rally is stepping outside of the Robie Tufts Park to take over the streets of Wolfville with the Devour! Street Food Party. For years, thousands have been flocking to the festival’s largest free outdoor event. This year, many favourite trucks will be joined by local restaurants and vendors from the entire county. Participating trucks and vendors include: Gecko Bus, Cheesecurds, Donair Trailer, Nomad Gourmet, T-Dogs, Carl’s Independent, Frais Catering, Tap Root Farms, Julian’s Feel Good Food, Union Street Cafe, The Noodle Guy, Le Caveau and Cake Lady.
Menus for the Opening Gala Reception and film inspired dinners as well as comprehensive lists of all participating chefs are now available online. Tickets to the sixth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest are on sale now through the Devour! website and can also be purchased by phone through Ticketpro at 1-888-311-9090. Exclusive packages are also available! For more information about each mouth-watering event, visit devourfest.com.
ABOUT DEVOUR! THE FOOD FILM FEST
Devour! The Food Film Fest is an international festival celebrating cinema, food and wine culture. The five-day festival takes place in the culinary epicentre of Nova Scotia – the town of Wolfville, Kings County. The festival is an experiential celebration of food on film, the culture of food and the dramatic impact it has on our day-to-day lives. The sixth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest is slated for November 2-6, 2016. Devour! is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Slow Food Nova Scotia, Margaret & David Fountain and the province of Nova Scotia.
ABOUT THE LOCATION
Only one hour from Halifax, the Town of Wolfville and Kings County provide the perfect setting for Devour! amid the beauty of the Annapolis Valley and the mighty Bay of Fundy. The heartland of Nova Scotia’s burgeoning wine industry and the centre of culinary and agricultural innovation, Wolfville is also home to Acadia University, one of Canada’s most renowned academic institutions, and a partner of Devour! The Food Film Fest.
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Media Contacts:
Kate Elliot, Marketing & Communications, Devour! The Food Film Fest
kate@devourfest.com
(902) 440-7844
Alex Smith, Director of Communications and Outreach, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
alex.smith@canada.ca
(902) 426-9417 / (902) 830-3839
