2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Award Recipients Announced

For Immediate Release: 2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Award Recipients Announced 

Wolfville, October 21, 2021: Each year, the Taste of Nova Scotia Awards celebrate the people and products at the heart of Nova Scotia’s culinary industry. The 2021 award recipients were announced during DEVOUR! The Food Film Fest in Wolfville on October 21, 2021.

“Food is integral to our culture and our history. It shapes our landscape and coastal communities. It helps to tell the story of who we are and where we’re from,” says Emily Haynes, executive director of Taste of Nova Scotia. “These awards tell the story of five Taste of Nova Scotia members – their passion, their vision, their creativity, their talent and their commitment to their communities and the Nova Scotia culinary industry.”

The following Nova Scotia businesses received 2021 Taste of Nova Scotia Awards:

Award for Service
La Cuisine Robicheau (Saulnierville, NS)

Product of the Year
Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
Tatamagouche Ice Creamery (Tatamagouche, NS)

Restaurant of the Year
The Biscuit Eater Cafe & Books (Mahone Bay, NS)

Producer of the Year
Van Dyk’s by Nature (Queens County, NS)

Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador Award
Hanspeter Stutz

Grand Pré Wines, Fundy Drinks, Magic Winery Bus Limited (Grand Pré, NS)

“Receiving this recognition for The Biscuit Eater Cafe & Books right now is humbling and a huge opportunity to thank our community and staff that have supported us over the last five years, wela’lioq, we appreciate you all,” says Jessika Hepburn, president & co-owner, the Biscuit Eater Cafe and Books.  “Even during a global pandemic, through multiple lockdowns and so much uncertainty, we have been able to keep serving up magnificent tea parties and beautiful food, growing as a Black led business by putting people and community care first. This award is much needed validation and motivation to keep going and sharing our success each step of the way by uplifting Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour through food, community, and collaboration.”

“Van Dyk’s is very honored to receive the Producer of The Year Award for 2021. It is great to be recognized for the years of dedication to producing high quality products for local, domestic and export markets by Taste of Nova Scotia,” says Randy MacDonald, general manager, Van Dyk’s by Nature.

The Taste of Nova Scotia awards returned this year after a brief hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nominations for the Taste of Nova Scotia Awards were received from Taste of Nova Scotia members and the public. The nominations were brought to a judges’ panel and then approved by the Taste of Nova Scotia Board of Directors. These awards are the only province-wide awards that celebrate restaurants, service, food and beverage producers, exporters, and industry leaders, from Yarmouth to Sydney – and everywhere in between.

For more information about Taste of Nova Scotia and its members visit https://tasteofnovascotia.com/.

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Videos of the award recipients can be found on the Taste of Nova Scotia YouTube Channel. High resolution photos of the award recipients can be found in the linked Dropbox folder.

For more information please contact:
Sacha Smith
Manager of Membership Services and Marketing
Cell: (902) 817-9960
Email: membership@tasteofnovascotia.com 
Website: https://tasteofnovascotia.com/

About Taste of Nova Scotia

Taste of Nova Scotia is a unique, province-wide, marketing program whose members are committed to offering exceptional local culinary products and experiences. The Taste of Nova Scotia membership base includes more than 200 quality food producers and processors, locally inspired restaurants, and industry members. https://tasteofnovascotia.com/

Taste of Nova Scotia Award for Service
La Cuisine Robicheau (Saulnierville, NS)

Product of the Year
Ultra-Premium Ice Cream
Tatamagouche Ice Creamery (Tatmagouche, NS)

Restaurant of the Year
The Biscuit Eater Café & Books (Mahone Bay, NS)

Producer of the Year
Van Dyk’s by Nature (Queens County, NS)

Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador Award
Hanspeter Stutz, Grand Pre Wines & Le Caveau Restaurant, Viveau, Magic Winery Bus Limited (Grand Pré, NS)