PRESS RELEASE: 2019 Taste of Nova Scotia Chowder Cook-off

PHOTO: Chef Chris Pyne (right) of Founders House Dining & Drinks was the winner of the 2019 Taste of Nova Scotia Chowder Cook-Off at last weekend’s Saltscapes Expo. The competition was emceed by the Kilted Chef, Alain Bossé.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halifax, N.S. – Chris Pyne, head chef of Founders House Dining & Drinks in Annapolis Royal, is the winner of the 2019 Taste of Nova Scotia Chowder Cook-Off. Pyne was one of eight local chefs who faced-off on the Taste of Nova Scotia culinary stage during the Saltscapes East Coast Expo from April 26 to 28, 2019.

“It’s super humbling,” Pyne said of his win. “Being a young chef surrounded by so much great talent in Nova Scotia, I’m almost at a loss for words.”

Pyne recognizes the importance of supporting local and says this has been a focus at Founders House since day one.

“Being in Annapolis Royal, which is one of the best growing regions in Canada, is such a privilege in my opinion because I can produce some of the best food in the country using the food provided by all the agricultural people around me,” says Pyne.

Pyne’s winning seafood chowder is gluten free, with a potato velouté to thicken the base, and features grapefruit chutney and Nova Scotia Digby scallops.

As part of the competition, chefs were asked to pair their chowders with a local beer, wine, spirit or cider from Nova Scotia’s Good Cheer Trail. Pyne paired his chowder with the Planters Ridge Quintessence White.

Second place in the Chowder Cook-off was awarded to Chef Renée Lavallée from the Canteen on Portland and Little C in Dartmouth, while Chef April Gratto from Rhubarb Restaurant in Indian Harbour, placed third.

Competitors in the Taste of Nova Scotia Chowder Cook-off also included Chefs Mark Lambert (Luckett Vineyard’s Crush Pad Bistro, Wolfville), Amanda Bezanson (the Henley House, Sheet Harbour), Chickie Dorey (Old Fish Factory Restaurant & Ice House Bar, Lunenburg), Richard Sanford (Durty Nelly’s: An Authentic Irish Pub, Halifax), and Shaun Zwarun (Kiju’s Restaurant, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Membertou). Final scores for the competition were compiled based on a combination of the judges’ marks and votes from the audience.

-30-

For more information please contact:

Emily Hiltz
Events & Social Media Coordinator, Taste of Nova Scotia
Phone: (902)492-9291, ext. 113
Cell: (902)318-1953
Email: events@tasteofnovascotia.com
Website: www.tasteofnovasotia.com

About Taste of Nova Scotia

Taste of Nova Scotia is a province-wide, marketing program, whose members are committed to offering exceptional local culinary products and experiences. Launched in 1989 as a joint marketing initiative between Nova Scotia’s private and public sectors, our key mandate is to facilitate the growth of our members while promoting the unique quality of our Nova Scotia food and beverage products to consumers, both locally and around the world. www.tasteofnovascotia.com