What’s Cooking: September 25 – October 1

October has arrived and so have the cooler nights, harvest celebrations, and culinary events from our Taste members across the province. What’s cooking in Nova Scotia this week? Keep reading to find out.

Highlights

Devour! The Food Film Festival 9.5

Devour! The Food Film Fest has released their 2020 schedule and made tickets available for immediate purchase. This year’s event will take place from October 21 – 25, via a hybrid in-person and digital program combo. 2020 marks the 10th installment of the festival, to reflect travel restrictions and smaller in-person gatherings, Devour! 9.5 will still deliver all of the festivals baked-in goodness during the five-day event.

Nourish Your Roots Farm to School Program

Nourish Your Roots is a farm-to-school food box fundraiser developed by Nourish Nova Scotia, created to help schools support their healthy eating programs and increase opportunities for children to eat more vegetables and fruit. The food boxes feature local produce from participating Nova Scotia farmers and help connect children and families to healthy, local, and sustainable food choices.

To purchase a Nourish Your Roots food box, visit the Nourish Nova Scotia online store. Food boxes are $35 and include 22-25lbs of farm-fresh Nova Scotia produce.

Thanksgiving 6-Pack

whats cooking

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Jost, Gaspereau, and Mercator Vineyards have come together to add sparkle, fizz, and extraordinary flavor to your weekend. This combination of six local wines will inspire your Thanksgiving preparations. The special 6-pack is $125 (regular $137) with FREE shipping within NS, NB & PEI. Order online at any time, at the Jost Vineyards Winery Boutique, by phone 902-257-2636, or by email tmacdonald@jostwine.com.

Events

September 30 – October 3: Oktoberfest at The Flying Apron

Celebrate the 7th annual Oktoberfest at The Flying Apron. Their German-themed menu features a Bavarian roast chicken, German smoked and cured meats, sausages with sauerkraut, and a creamy potato bacon soup. Featuring live music, trivia, and prizes, get a taste of Oktoberfest all week long at The Flying Apron. Tickets are $50 plus tax and reservations are highly recommended, call to book your Oktoberfest celebration at 902-633-2300.

October 3: Harvest Dinner at Planters Ridge Winery

Planters Ridge Winery is thrilled to host their annual Harvest Dinner as a prelude to Devour! The Food Film Fest. Chef Michael Howell, Founder and Executive Director of Devour! will be delivering five courses inspired by short films. Each will be paired with an excellent Planters Ridge wine for an experience unlike any other. Tickets are $130 and available for purchase at http://www.plantersridge.ca/product/harvest-dinner.

October 4: Harvest Food Celebration at Petite Riviere Vineyards

Petite Riviere

Harvest season is here and Petite Riviere Vineyards is ready to celebrate with you. Gather your friends and book a table for the Harvest Food Celebration on October 4th from 4-6 pm. Chefs from The Old Black Forest Restaurant will prepare three savory small-plates, two dessert selections, each paired with wines from Petite Reviere’s Sommelier. Tickets are $60 and available on Eventbrite or by calling the winery at 902-693-3033.

October 15: The Five Fisherman Italian Dinner Menu Tour

Featured Recipe: Heartwood Bowl with Peanut Sauce

Picture of Heartwood Restaurant meal

Time to spice things up with the ever-popular, tried, and true Heartwood Bowl with Peanut Sauce. This recipe offers a blend of hearty harvest flavors and fresh in-season produce that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Find your produce at Noggins Corner Farm Market, Stirling Fruit Farms, Masstown Market, or one of the many other Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia, and local Maple Syrup from Sugar Moon Farm.

Grocery List

Local Source Guide

Local Beets
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia,
Local Broccoli
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Local Carrots
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Local Garlic
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Local Swiss Chard
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Local Cabbage
- Noggins Corner Farm Market, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms Ltd., any other of the Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia.
Local Maple Syrup
- Sugar Moon Farm, or Acadian Maple

How to Keep Supporting Local

October is harvest season in Nova Scotia and a prime time to support our incredible Nova Scotian producers and businesses. Whether buying fresh market produce, planning a fall foliage road trip, dining in, or ordering takeout – our Get Your Hands on Local page has you covered! Check it out to see how you can support local in any way you desire.