2014 Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards: Celebrating Culinary Excellence

For Immediate Release
November 25, 2014

Press Release
Halifax, N.S. – The Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards celebrates excellence in the culinary industry and recognizes producers and restaurants that provide exceptional culinary experiences. Winners, from consumer and industry nominations, were announced during the annual Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s (TIANS) Tourism Summit on November 25, 2014.

“Over the past four years, through our revised awards program, we have celebrated 32 local businesses…farmers, fishermen, chefs, winemakers…the hands and products exemplifying culinary excellence in our province,” says Janice Ruddock, executive director of Taste of Nova Scotia. “It is just astounding the ongoing dedication to Nova Scotia foods that we have in our province. This is a small opportunity to recognize the dedicated companies and individuals who strive to continually exceed our expectations. It is truly an honour to be in the same room and hear their stories.” Taste of Nova Scotia

Prestige Awards for 2014 were presented in the following categories:

Restaurant of the Year – Essence of Nova Scotia
Lobster Shack (Barrington Passage, NS)

Restaurant of the Year – Chef Inspired Casual Dining
Brooklyn Warehouse (Halifax, NS)

Restaurant of the Year – Chef Inspired Fine Dining
Fleur de Sel (Lunenburg, NS)

Innovative Product of the Year
Olde Port of Halifax, Tideview Cider (Annapolis Valley, NS)

Producer of the Year
Grand Pré Wines (Grand Pré, NS)

Server of the Year
Cora Beck, Charlotte Lane (Shelburne, NS)

Consumer Choice Product of the Year
Bliss, Avondale Sky Winery (Newport Landing, NS)

Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year
Lia Rinaldo & Michael Howell, Devour! The Food Film Fest

“It was the most amazing moment when we became Taste of Nova Scotia members and even more so when we won this award,” says Nichole Hopkins, owner of The Lobster Shack in Barrington Passage. “We are the lobster capital of the world…for us it’s so important to showcase our local product. We give fresh local product back to the community and Taste of Nova Scotia gives us the voice to do that.”

Nominations for the Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige 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.

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For more information please contact:

Christine White
Director of Communications & Events, Taste of Nova Scotia
Phone: (902) 492-9291, ext 115
Cell: (902) 880-2180
Email: christine@tasteofnovascotia.com

About Taste of Nova Scotia
Taste of Nova Scotia is a unique, province-wide marketing program, whose members are committed to offering the very best culinary experiences and products that Nova Scotia has to offer. The Taste of Nova Scotia membership base includes more than 150 quality food producers and processors, as well as a collection of the best restaurants in the province. www.tasteofnovascotia.com