What’s Cooking: January 29 – February 5

Serving up Winter Plans

If January has felt a little too quiet, consider this your sign to get back out there, because the local food scene is just starting to heat up! From the first cracks of a South Shore lobster claw to clinking glasses at Winter Wine fest, February is shaping up to be a month-long feast. Read on for the delicious events coming your way this winter!

Shellebrate the Season with The South Shore Lobster Crawl

Spanning throughout February, this annual celebration stretches from the “Lobster Capital of Canada” in Barrington all the way to Peggy’s Cove. The fun kicks off on February 2nd when the province’s famous crustacean, Lucy the Lobster, makes her appearance to predict an early/late spring. The excitement continues on February 3rd with the highly anticipated Lobster Roll-Off, where chefs go head-to-head for the title of the best lobster roll.

From there, you can travel all around the South Shore, where you’ll find seafood specials at restaurants, brewery pop-ups, and unique experiences at every stop. Here are a few of our participating members, who you can find along the route:

Be sure to check out lobstercrawl.ca to learn more!

It’s Winter Wine Time!

Mark your calendars, because the Nova Scotia Winter Wine Festival is returning on February 7th! Hosted at the beautiful Luckett Vineyards, this is the premier event for anyone wanting to experience the magic of wine country in winter.

We’ll be sharing more details in the coming week, but in the meantime, you can get a head start on the season with the Winter Wine Passport, which runs from now until March 29th through Wines of Nova Scotia. Visit each participating winery for a Sip & Snack pairing, collect a signature at every stop, and drop your completed passport at your final winery for a chance to win a grand prize!

Here are the four stops and what pairings you can expect:

Benjamin Bridge: Butternut Squash Tart with caramelized onion, apple, sage and terroir cheese, paired with our Cabernet Franc Rosé.
Lightfoot & Wolfville: Three cheese mushroom arancini, with Feeny’s Funghi Farm mushroom and fennel conserva, tarragon aioli, Annapolis Fine Cheese herb and garlic and Ciro’s mozzarella and asiago, paired with a 3oz pour of our NV Rosé.
Domaine de Grand Pré: Your choice of duck fat fries and a 3oz glass of bubbly.
Planters Ridge: Carol’s famous carrot cake with butter pecan filling and cream cheese frosting. Featuring fresh cheese from Annapolis Fine Cheese. Paired with a 3oz pour of 2022 Riesling.

Chain Yard Urban Cidery Welcomes the Whole Family

If you’re a parent looking to get out of the house without the stress of finding a sitter, look no further than Chain Yard on January 31st! Their BYOBB (Bring Your Own Baby to the Bar) event was designed by the owners themselves after becoming parents, creating a zone where both adults and kids are welcome. It’s the perfect midday outing to enjoy a local cider in a relaxed atmosphere where nobody minds a bit of extra energy from the little ones.

The taproom is prepped for the whole family, offering high chairs for babies and a big screen playing movies with headphones to keep the older kids entertained. The event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and admission is free, but because it’s such a local favorite, you’ll definitely want to book a reservation ahead of time to secure your spot.

Dare to Dine Around?

Dine Around Halifax is back! From February 1–28, select restaurants, pubs, cafés and bars will be offering curated menus at set price points, from $10 up to $60. This foodie event is the perfect way to explore the local culinary scene without breaking the bank!

Most participating businesses are located throughout Halifax, but some can be found in communities around the province as well. To see the full list of restaurants, menus, and details, visit the Dine Around website , or check out the list below for a preview of some of our participating members!

Unwind in the Valley: Yoga & Wine night at Planters Ridge Winery

If you’re looking to find some balance this winter, Planters Ridge is offering two wine & yoga sessions, allowing attendees to unwind, surrounded by the winter landscape of the Annapolis Valley. With the purchase of a $30 ticket, you’ll get a guided one-hour class, followed by a glass of their award-winning wine. Stay for longer afterwards to relax in their candle-lit tasting room, and purchase a curated local snack board!

Currently, they have two evening options available: January 29 or February 26, from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

Keep an eye on their social media and website for upcoming dates and ticket releases, as spots tend to fill up fast!

Support Local

By eating out at local restaurants, you’re not only supporting those restaurants but also the local producers and suppliers they purchase from. When you support local, more of your money stays in the province and circulates back through Nova Scotia’s economy.