- First-of-its-kind seafood culinary courses begin June 11 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
- New 7000 sq. ft performance stage, event space and state-of-the-art teaching kitchen now available for rent.
Wolfville, NS – May 14, 2025: Devour! The Food Film Fest, the world’s largest food film festival, is proud to announce the grand opening of Devour! Studios—a year-round culinary, cultural, and creative hub in the heart of Wolfville, Nova Scotia. As part of this exciting new chapter, Devour! is also launching the Nova Scotia Seafood Academy, a first-of-its-kind series of immersive seafood culinary courses aimed at local home cooks, chefs, and culinary travellers alike.
The first course—Mastering Seafood Cookery—runs June 11–13 and our Tide to Table: Seafood Masterclass will take place at the Studios on July 15–17, August 5–7, and September 9–11. These hands-on courses celebrate the province’s rich seafood heritage while promoting sustainability and local sourcing. Students will learn how to fillet, grill, smoke fish, master lobster and shellfish cooking techniques, learn how to pair flavours, create sauces and plate their dishes like a pro. Seats are limited to 20 people, and courses cost $750.
“Little did we know when we launched Devour! The Food Film Fest that it would one day evolve into a culinary and cultural space for the next generation of chefs, farmers, artists, and filmmakers,” says Michael Howell, Executive Director of Devour! “We’re excited to officially open Devour! Studios and with our new Seafood Academy, we continue to put Nova Scotia on the map as a top food and travel destination year-round.”
A former apple warehouse, the main hall of the new Studio is a 7,000-square-foot multipurpose space, including a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, event hall, and performance stage, in-house sound, lighting and projection system, 20-seat theatre or presentation room, Mezzanine level meeting space and more and is fully accessible including Rick Hansen-certified washrooms. The main hall can be effortlessly divided into two with movable walls, allowing for simultaneous events without compromising space or comfort. It is ideal for conferences, workshops, banquets, weddings, and other cultural events, and can accommodate up to 500 people standing, 400 in theatre style, and 250 in banquet style. Work continues on the viewing decks and second-level recording studios, and office spaces.
“At Devour! Studios, we believe that cooking is not just a skill but a journey through culture and community,” says Lia Rinaldo, Managing Director of Devour! The Food Film Fest. “We are thrilled to be able to create unique culinary courses, and we can’t wait to host art exhibits, musical performances, workshops and cultural events that Nova Scotians and travellers can enjoy. This Studios would not have been possible without the generous support of our community, our Festival Patrons John Lindsay Jr. and Anne Campbell, all three levels of government, and many magnanimous donors.”
About: Devour! Studios
From its humble origins as an apple warehouse, Devour! Studios is a culinary and cultural innovation hub. Home to Devour! The Food Film Fest, this unique, 24,000-square-foot multipurpose space housing a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, an event hall, a performance venue, film and recording studios, and a viewing deck, will now be open year-round. As an innovative educational and programming space, it will serve as a vital breeding ground for our next generation of chefs, farmers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers. As a gathering space, it will bring the region, country, and world to our doorstep to celebrate, grow, and invest in Nova Scotia’s glorious bounty.
