International Women’s Day
Nova Scotia is home to exceptional entrepreneurs, inventive chefs and a supportive culinary community. On this International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the power of women in Nova Scotia’s culinary industry.
The women featured below are just a few of the award-winning chefs, farmers, fishers, winemakers, brewers, distillers, cider makers, bakers, cheese makers, artisans, entrepreneurs, risk takers and leaders in their fields.
Renée Lavallée
Owner and chef of The Canteen in Downtown Dartmouth, Chef Renée Lavallée is a culinary force of nature. She is an ardent supporter of local farmers, fishers and food producers. She can often be spotted at any number of local farmers’ markets with her husband and business partner Doug, daughter Zoe and son Philippe in tow.
Renée has a long list of professional accolades and has been the spokesperson for a number of culinary brands and organizations, including Taste of Nova Scotia, Select Nova Scotia, Community Food Centres Canada and Dairy Farmers of Canada. Renée was also recently named in the March edition of Chatelaine magazine as one of 23 women in Canada changing the way we eat now.
Stephanie Ogilvie
Chef Stephanie Olgilvie has been an ambassador for the culinary industry since the age of 16. Now, head chef at The Brooklyn Warehouse, she continuously turns heads with her creative dishes. She is prominent in the Halifax food scene and is recognized for her vibrant, bold, and seriously creative style. Follow her Instagram to see her beautiful dishes.
Emily Tipton
Co-founder of Boxing Rock Brewing Company and president of the Craft Brewers Association, Emily Tipton is certainly crashing the glass ceiling. The chemical engineer and brewer started Shelburne-based Boxing Rock in 2012 with business partner Henry Pedro. The craftsmanship of every one of their brews has made the company a favourite among many local beer enthusiasts.
Kathy Cooper-MacDonald & Sheena Russell
Sheena Russell and Kathy Cooper-MacDonald are the brilliant minds behind the delicious, nutritious and successful brand Made With Local, including their real food bars, loaded oats and real food bar mixes. The co-founders wanted to create healthy products with locally-sourced ingredients, and “no weird stuff” that they could happily serve their children.
Sheena and Kathy feature a variety of locally sourced ingredients in their products and are committed to supporting social entreprises through their work with The Flower Cart and the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre (DASC). They believe in the people behind our ingredients and production and strive to inspire people to think about LOVE as an essential nutrient.
Join us in congratulating Sheena and Kathy in their selection as a top 7 venture with sheEO!
Beverly McClare
For almost 30 years, Beverley McClare has been working on the Tangled Garden where herbs and fruit are transformed into jewel-like jellies, flavourful vinegars, oils and liqueurs. Her award-winning garden has been featured in Martha Stewart Living as well as many other publications recognizing it as one of Canada’s must visit destinations. Beverly also hosts weddings and events on the premises as well as an on-site tearoom.
With the Tangled Garden, Beverly has created a culinary landscape and work of art in the heart of the Valley.
Gina Haverstock
One of the first female Nova Scotia winemakers, and co-owner of Annapolis Cider Company, Gina Haverstock is making waves in the beverage industry. She is the winemaker for Gaspereau Vineyards and her wines have received many international awards and accolades. Cheers!
Susan Lane
Photo Credit: The Chronicle Herald
Susan Lane is one of the owners and managers of her family owned business, Lane’s Privateer Inn. Susan and the Lane family have created a haven for local talent at Lane’s Privateer Inn. As a committed community supporter, Susan regularly hosts local musicians, locally-inspired culinary experiences and community events. Lane’s is also home to the Snug Harbour Books & Café featuring many local authors and locally produced gourmet foods.
Susan is a founding member of Taste of Nova Scotia and continually pushes the envelope for adventure and quality culinary experiences. She was recently awarded a TIANS Pineapple Award – given to an individual who goes above and beyond for the tourism industry in Nova Scotia.
Margaret Cornect
Margaret “The Honey Lady” Cornect has been running her family business Cornect Family Farm, (in different roles – as beekeeper, business manager and marketing manager) for nearly 20 years. Her artisan honey products are made from the 300 beehives they keep on the farm. Margaret has made it her business to produce a great variety of high quality honey products.
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