Wolfville, N.S. (October 1, 2015) – From beginning to end, the fifth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest promises to showcase the best Nova Scotia has to offer through local chefs, ingredients, wines and more. Wolfville, Nova Scotia plays host to the world’s largest festival focused on food and film from November 4-8, 2015.
“Local chefs are the heart and soul of Devour! The Food Film Fest,” says Michael Howell, executive director of Devour! “Devour! continues to be the perfect showcase for the very best our region has to offer.”
Kicking the festival off with a bang is the Devour! Opening Gala Reception. Presented by festival sponsor Taste of Nova Scotia, fourteen of Nova Scotia’s most renowned chefs come together to highlight the best of the east coast while creating a feast for the senses. Featured chefs during this year’s opening gala include: Brad Wammes (Kitchen Door Catering), Chris Velden (The Flying Apron Cookery), Dan Vorstermans (Field Guide), Darrick Mailman (The Flying Apron Cookery), Jonathan Joseph (The Argyler Lodge & Restaurant), Martin Ruíz Salvador (Fleur de Sel & Salt Shaker Deli), Matt Krizan (Mateus Bistro), Michael Carroll (Paddy’s Irish Brew Pub), Mike McKinnon (Acadia University), Nichole Hopkins (The Lobster Shack), Patrick MacIsaac (Glenora Inn Distillery), Renée Lavallée (The Canteen), Stephanie Ogilvie (Brooklyn Warehouse) and Tony Ross (The Lobster Shack).
Guests on this special night will also be treated to drinks from The Good Cheer Trail featuring Avondale Sky Winery, Benjamin Bridge, Blomidon Estate Winery, Boxing Rock, Devonian Coast, Garrison Brewing, Ironworks Distillery, L’Acadie Vineyards, Luckett Vineyards, Meander River Farm and Brewery, Paddy’s Irish Brew Pub, Petite Riviere Vineyards, Planters Ridge Winery Ltd. and Sainte-Famille Wines.
Following the Opening Gala Reception, internationally-renowned actor Bill Pullman will curate his favourite food film of all-time, Babette’s Feast, at the Opening Gala Film. Tickets to the entire opening night experience can be purchased as a package here.
From Thursday to Saturday night, local culinary sensations will pair up with visiting gastronomic heavyweights to create three mouth-watering meals inspired by festival films.
- On Thursday, The Bite House’s Bryan Picard will join Tørst’s Daniel Burns and Newfoundland’s dynamic duo Jeremy Charles (Raymonds) and Todd Perrin (Mallard Cottage) to bring the film The Singhampton Project to life on a plate.
- Friday night will see Ratinaud’s The Kitchen Table’s Joe MacLellan pair up with The Surreal Gourmet’s Bob Blumer, Buca’s Rob Gentile and Pastaga’s Martin Juneau as they create a delectable meal based on The Empire of Scents.
- Saturday evening concludes the dinner events on the ultimate high note with Wild Caraway Inn’s Andrew Aitken collaborating with Four Season Hotel Vancouver’s Ned Bell and the ultimate German duo, Michael Hoffmann (Margaux) and Michael Städtlander (Haisai) for a dinner inspired by the Devour! Spotlight Gala film, Good Things Await.
Each dinner will highlight the beauty of the Annapolis Valley through the comforting atmosphere of the Wolfville Farmer’s Market.
“We’ve really been saving the best for last when it comes to the heart of the festival – our local lineup,” says Lia Rinaldo, Devour! managing director. “The local chefs, producers, processers and artisans that put their passion into the authentic experiences we have here in Nova Scotia truly represent the pride of our province.”
The five-day festival will provide plenty of opportunities to indulge in delicious local cuisine. Back by popular demand is the Select Nova Scotia Food Truck Rally. Featuring $5.00 bites from Edible Sideshow, Morris East – Pizza Oven, Old School Donuts, Taco Stiles, T Dogs and Tin Pan Alley, the hottest rage in North America will hit the streets of Wolfville on both Thursday and Friday. New this year is also Disco Soup with Slow Food Youth Annapolis Valley, as well as an alfresco screening of films highlighting the culinary scene in Nova Scotia and across Canada.
Culinary tours play an important part of the Devour! program with the return of three favourites and the addition of one brand new tour. The widely popular All You Need is Cheese Express tour is back in action, offering beautiful Annapolis Valley views accompanied by award-winning cheese and artisanal beer and cider tastings. This year, The Acadian Express will provide a unique experience of the Acadian history through authentic historical stops, followed by a two-course lunch with Saint John Ale House’s Jesse Vergen and Jason Lynch for a collaborative Acadian lunch at Le Caveau. Also back for round two is The Bubbles Bus – a fun, interactive experience featuring samplings at two of the region’s finest purveyors of traditional method sparkling wines, Benjamin Bridge and L’Acadie Vineyards, along with delicious snacks from Frais Catering’s Stéphane Levac. New this year is The Crafty Beer Bus – a two-hour tour celebrating the fine ale of Sea Level Brewing, the Port Pub & Bistro and Paddy’s Irish Brew Pub.
New this year is The Devour! Chowder Smackdown. Presented by Ocean Wise and the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, this $5.00 family-friendly event is destined to become a signature event. Ten chef contestants (Amy Scott Nickerson of The Hatfield House, Hana Nelson of Afishionado, Jeffrey MacNeil of Rime Restaurant, Jonathan Canning of NSCC Akerley Campus and more) will compete for votes including those of the esteemed judging panel led by Bob Blumer. Returning for the second year is the popular Devour! The Grills. Hosted at the Wolfville Farmer’s Market, this Saturday morning event has something for foodies of all ages. Joseph Crocker of Peasant’s Pantry and Kim Martin of D’Vine Morsels Restaurant at Avondale Sky Winery will take turns grilling on the glorious Big Green Eggs.
Concluding the Devour! culinary festivities is The Golden Tine Awards Brunch. Join Dennis Johnston (formerly Fid Resto) and Tom Fleming (Dallas’ Crossroads Diner) to celebrate the very best of the festival program, including the youth winner of The Nourish Nova Scotia Food & Film Challenge. Featuring delectable eats and brunch cocktails served up by Devour! mixologist, Matt Jones, the Devour! awards brunch will be sure to satisfy each craving until the 2016 festival.
Tickets to the fifth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest are available now through the Devour! website and Ticketpro. 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 fifth edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest is slated for November 4-8, 2015.
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 Contact:
Robyn McIsaac
robyn@devourfest.com
(902) 440-1551
