Halifax, Nova Scotia (April 9, 2014) –Devour! The Food Film Festival organizers Michael Howell and Lia Rinaldo say the first satellite event came to a close with overwhelming support from the community of Abaco, Bahamas and solid attendance from visitors both locally and internationally.
Devour! The Beach events, which ran from March 26 – 29, were near capacity with 70% attendance – a great accomplishment for the inaugural event. Devour! The Beach is an extension of Devour! The Food Film Festival located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The fourth annual Food Film Festival will take place this coming November, and will showcase more than 50 film screenings from across the globe. It will also feature the very best of local and international food and wine and industry sessions with culinary experts on a variety of topics.
“Devour! The Beach is just the beginning when it comes to the full Devour! brand extension,” says executive director Michael Howell. “We could not have picked a better spot to host the first Devour! satellite event.”
The Bahamian communities warmly embraced the event with the majority of the attendees from Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour and Nassau. International attendees travelled from the far corners of North America to join in on the celebrations, ranging from Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Connecticut, Florida, and Wyoming.
“Devour! The Beach offered a new product for the island Abaco, which was well received by visitors and locals alike,” says Wynsome Ferguson, manager of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “It gave an economic boost to our economy and commenced our tourist season, attracting newcomers to the destination. Devour! The Beach has great potential for future growth.”
With four days of wine seminars and culinary indulgences incorporating local ingredients, Halifax chef Craig Flinn said it was apparent that the event was a success who said Nova Scotia seafood bears a great likeness to the tropical dishes.
“Being a part of the inaugural Devour! The Beach Food and Wine Festival was a great honour. For me the real joy was working closely with the great chefs that participated,” says Chef FIinn. “I am always amazed how chefs relate to one another, without prejudice and always putting forth a desire to help one another. In the end, it is always the ingredients and the guests that matter above all things in great kitchens.”
Howell tipped his hat to the welcoming communities of Abaco along with all of the chefs: Jean Joho, Michael Howell, Michael Blackie, Tom Fleming, Craig Flinn, Eric Williams and Master of Wine, Michael Palij, MW.
Information about the 2015 Devour! The Beach can be found at www.devourthebeach.com and www.facebook.com/DevourFest.
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Media contact:
Robyn McIsaac
(902)-440-1551
