2026 Taste of Nova Scotia Award Recipients Announced

Wolfville, October 22, 2026: The Taste of Nova Scotia Awards are presented each year to celebrate the people, places, and products that help shape Nova Scotia’s vibrant culinary industry. The 2026 award recipients were announced during Devour! The Food Film Fest in Wolfville on October 22, 2026.

“The Taste of Nova Scotia Awards celebrate the people whose passion, creativity and dedication continue to shape our culinary industry and bring our province’s unique taste of place to life”, says Emily Haynes, Executive Director, Taste of Nova Scotia. “Through the products they create and the experiences they offer, this year’s recipients showcase the talent, innovation and sense of place that make Nova Scotia’s culinary sector so distinctive. Their achievements strengthen our communities, enrich our visitor experiences and help share Nova Scotia’s culinary story with the world.”

The following Nova Scotia businesses and individuals received 2026 Taste of Nova Scotia Awards:

Award for Service
J.D. Goossens — Grape Escapes (Halifax, NS)

Product of the Year
Rum Cakes — Lunenburg Rum Cakes (Lunenburg, NS)

Restaurant of the Year
Dear Friend Bar (Dartmouth, NS)

Producer of the Year
ROUSSEAU Chocolatier (Halifax, NS)

Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador Award
The McConnell-Gordon Family — Benjamin Bridge (Gaspereau, NS)

”Being named Producer of the Year is an honour we share with our team and the community that has helped us grow. This award is a beautiful recognition of that shared work,” says Nathalie Rousseau. “Our chocolates bring together a passion for extraordinary craftsmanship and the exceptional ingredients of local growers and producers. We are deeply grateful to build our family business here in Nova Scotia”.

The Taste of Nova Scotia 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.

“Receiving product of the year makes me feel like we’ve finally made it, we’re not so small anymore” says Sarah Batten, owner of Lunenburg Rum cakes. “Our Rum Cakes being seen province wide will be so advantageous for us. I’m beyond thankful and thrilled to be receiving the product of the year award.”

“Dear Friend has always been known as a bar first, so being named Restaurant of the Year means a great deal to us. Over the past year we’ve worked hard to elevate our culinary program with Chef Jason, and to see that recognized is an honour,” says Matt Boyle, CEO Clever Barkeep & Dear Friend Bar. “Halifax has some of the best restaurants in the country and we know firsthand how hard it is to build, run and sustain a place in this industry. We’re grateful for every guest who walks through our door, our families and friends who have supported us through it all, and for the team that shows up every day to make it happen.

Nominations for the 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.

-30-

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:
Amber MacLean
Manager of Membership Services & Events
Email: amber@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 approximately 200 quality food producers and processors, locally inspired restaurants, and industry members. For more information about Taste of Nova Scotia and its members, visit www.tasteofnovascotia.com.