Savour Food and Wine Show-5

One of the main highlights and focus of my recent Halifax trip was attending Savour Food and Wine Show at the WTCC. Having a five-minute indoor walk from the hotel to the show (via the Downtown Halifax Link, a handy indoor pedway system) was a blessing! Imagine -8C and heading to one of the city’s premier food and drink events without a coat.

This was truly a luxury (other hotels connected to the link include the Delta Barrington, Delta Halifax, and Marriott Halifax Harbourfront).

Five Fishermen Executive Chef Carmelo Olivar
[Five Fishermen Executive Chef Carmelo Olivar]

For 12 years now, Savour Food and Wine’s brought the city together for an evening to showcase Nova Scotia’s culinary talent. The show, promoted by RANS (Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia), forms part of a larger two-month festival including Dine Around, Decadence: Chocolate, Wine & Cheese, Rare & Fine Wine and Imbibe: A Cocktail Event.

Scanway Catering's doughnut tower
[Scanway Catering’s doughnut tower, paired with homemade ice cream!]

For an out-of-towner like myself, this was the perfect chance to sample from numerous restaurants, wineries, craft brewers and pastry chefs who were onsite to proudly serve their creations.

Nova Scotian maple wine! Savour Food and Wine Show-11

One of my favourite discoveries? Nova Scotian maple wine! Produced by Devonian Coast Wineries in St. Margaret’s Bay, this smooth dessert sipper’s produced from 100% Nova Scotia maple syrup, its sap cool-fermented for a full-bodied wine with strong toffee and maple notes.

Tess' Belgian chocolate mousse torte

Not quite as sweet as an ice wine, this paired fantastically with a slice of Chez Tess’ gluten/dairy-free Belgian chocolate mousse torte. Now that I’ve also fallen in love with that sumptuous torte, I am ready to head back this way and sample from their lunch and dinner menus.

Pete Luckett of Luckett Vineyards pouring 2013 Triumphe Red Luckett Vineyards and the red phone booth
[Pete Luckett pouring his 2013 Triumphe, a smooth-textured red using Gasperau Valley grapes]

Gahan House: seared scallop, braised pork belly, apple whiskey reduction, shoot salad
[Gahan House: seared scallop, braised pork belly, apple whiskey reduction, shoot salad]

Gahan House offered up a beautiful seared scallop with braised pork belly and apple whiskey, dressed with shoot salad in a 1772 IPA vinaigrette.

Savour Food and Wine Show-1

Alongside popular craft brewers Propeller Brewing, Rockbottom Brewpub (love their award-winning Fathom IPA!), and Boxing Rock, I sampled Bulwark craft cider, finding a fast favourite in their winter cider. The smooth, sweet taste derived from Annapolis Valley apples is married with nutmeg and cinnamon. I could easily envision heating this lovely concoction on the stove for late evening sips by the fireplace.

Croque Monsieur/Le Bistro by Liz Savour Food and Wine Show-7
[Top: Mini Croque Monsieurs by Le Bistro by Liz]

Live music and somewhat challenging (for photos) though atmospheric lighting made the evening complete. This is a tight-knit community of foodies and industry members that I had the pleasure to get to know just a bit more over the course of the evening (and media tour leading to the two-and-a-half hour public event).

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With over 75 participants, the program guide proved handy with a numbered map and exhibitor list. I’m holding on to it for future visits!

Below is a video I shot of Halifax, including some Savour moments:

I was a guest of Savour via Destination Halifax. Opinions, as always, are my own.

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