(Charlottetown, PE - June 16, 2008) - Chef Michael Smith is an Island original and Host of Food Network's new series Chef Abroad. From September 30 - October 5th, 2008 he's inviting food lovers to visit his home, in Prince Edward Island, to enjoy over 100 interactive culinary events as part of Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island.
"Fall Flavours is a new Island-wide fine food festival set amidst a sea of sunflowers," says Kim Green, CEO of Tourism Charlottetown. "Charlottetown will act as the primary host for the festival, with Direct to the Source Product Experiences, Interactive Taste Workshops, an Island Dining Program and a selection of new Signature Events created exclusively for the festival taking place in communities across the province. Over $110,000 in marketing funds will be leveraged with media partners to promote this festival nationally through outlets like Food Network Canada and the Globe and Mail. Prince Edward Island is set to capitalize on the growth in culinary tourism, with over 15,000 visitors expected to attend during the off-season."
Take in one of many Interactive Taste Workshops like pickling & preserves or the fine art of cheese and wine pairing. On October 4 and 5, The Culinary Institute of Canada will offer 4 Taste Workshops including Culinary Boot Camp, Breads of the Old World, and Smoking and Curing at Home, as well, Chef at Home Live with Chef Michael Smith. These are just a taste of the education opportunities in store during the Festival.
You can also join local hosts and pick potatoes, dig clams, catch lobsters or harvest oysters as part of our Island Direct to the Source Product Experiences. Festival organizers teamed up with Experience PEI to create twelve unique experiences that will be launched during Fall Flavours. "It's our hope that many of these experiences will be offered in the future throughout the summer to visitors as part of an overall culinary experience," adds Green.
"Prince Edward Island is a chef's paradise," boast Chef Michael Smith. "We have a lot to be proud of and the new Fall Flavours Festival is our chance to share our best with the world. I am proud to be a part of it and look forward to welcoming foodies from everywhere to our beautiful island paradise!"
Visitors will also be treated to fine Island cuisine with featured Fall Flavours Menus at select restaurants across Prince Edward Island. Our chefs and food artisans will create Table D'Hote menus that will offer a unique and interactive dining experience. All menus will showcase PEI products and producers, with wine pairing options. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with the local artisans to learn more about our food and producers. Eighteen restaurants have been selected to participate.
Sunflowers are among the most recognized and popular flowers in cultivation and are a sure sign of the beginning of autumn and the fall harvest. A Sea of Sunflowers will greet visitors to Fall Flavours. From the time people enter the city limits, they'll be impressed with the backdrop of sunflowers created just for the Festival. There are many different food festivals every where and the sunflower theme is a sure way to make Fall Flavours distinct and unique. There will also be harvest displays in the downtown, with corn stalks, hay bales and lots of pumpkins. Along with private gardens, sunflowers will be on display all over Charlottetown on city property. One of the more impressive sights will be along the Water Street Parkway, one of the main entrances to the city, with over 23,000 feet of sunflowers. And at the end of September, flower baskets and planters will be replaced with barrels full of miniature sunflowers. Watch for your complimentary packet of sunflower seeds to arrive in the Guardian on June 21st. Large varieties of sunflowers should be planted between June 15 - 27 and dwarf varieties should be planted the end of July to be in perfect bloom for the festival.
The Shops of Confederation Court Mall and the Urban Eatery will be a featured venue during Fall Flavours. "We know from research that there is a strong connection between culinary tourism and shopping," says Tanya O'Brien, General Manager of The Shops of Confederation Court Mall. "The mall will be offering live Island entertainment and culinary demos on the Flavours Stage upstairs at the Urban Eatery during lunchtime daily, as well as a cookbook signing session with Chef Michael Smith and other local authors, Island Photo Exhibit and other programming that is still in development."
All inclusive hotel packages are available online at www.fallflavours.ca. These packages offer a One Stop Shopping Experience. When visitors book by September 15th they will receive a complimentary O.8 L Paderno Pot - based on a 2 night stay minimum and the opportunity to attend an Exclusive VIP Reception hosted by Chef Michael Smith. Booking must be made online at www.charlottetowntickets.com or by calling Prince Edward Tours direct at 1 877 286 6532.
All of the culinary activities can be purchased a la carte and will range in price from $15.00 - $175.00, plus taxes and service fees. For more details visit online at www.fallflavours.ca or call the Aliant Festival hotline at 1 800 955 1864.
Background:
Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island is a project of Tourism Charlottetown. This year marks the inaugural year for the Festival. It is estimated this festival will draw 15,000 visitors to Charlottetown over 6 days.
Media Contact:
Tracey Singleton
Director of Marketing and Development
Tourism Charlottetown
Tel: 902-566-2549 | E: tsingleton@walkandseacharlottetown.com