A new guide showcasing Prince Edward Island’s culinary highlights is the latest example of how the province is cementing its reputation as a top culinary destination, thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments.
The first-ever Zagat Prince Edward Island Restaurants and Markets Survey was launched today by the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue; Prince Edward Island Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson; and Austin Clement, Vice Chair of the Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance. Prince Edward Island was recently named by the Zagat Blog as one of their favourite foodie destinations in the world.
“Our Government is very pleased to support the culinary tourism sector in Prince Edward Island,” said the Honourable Gail Shea Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie. “Job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity are our priorities, and tourism is an important economic driver on the Island. With tools like the Zagat and specific programs like the Culinary Trail, we continue to promote P.E.I. as a one of the top tourist destinations in the world.”
“The Government of Prince Edward Island recognizes the quality of food produced here and is pleased to support initiatives that promote Island culinary exports and position the Island as a world-class destination for food lovers,” said Minister Robert Henderson, Prince Edward Island Minister for Tourism and Culture. “Strategic investments such as this strengthen our tourism, fisheries and agriculture industries.”
Zagat is the world’s first provider of user-based survey information, producing accurate ratings and curated reviews of restaurants, nightlife, shopping, hotels and other leisure-based establishments around the world. The Prince Edward Island Restaurants and Markets Survey is based on the collective opinions of 623 diners who rated and reviewed 75 local restaurants and markets. The guide will be available at local Visitor Information Centres and Island Information Service. The Prince Edward Island ratings and reviews will also be available online at www.zagat.com and www.peiflavours.ca.
The Zagat ratings will also be included in the restaurant and market listings in the Prince Edward Island Culinary Trail Guide, which was released today. The Culinary Trail Guide showcases the unique restaurants, farms, markets, fishers, authentic Prince Edward Island products and culinary adventures.
The trail links tourism, agriculture and fisheries while encouraging visitors to explore rural communities in all regions of the province. It also creates organized culinary routes for visitors to discover unique Island restaurants, culinary adventures, authentic P.E.I. products, farmers, fishers, local markets, and culinary festivals and events all while experiencing our scenic coastal drives.
A total of 100,000 copies of the Culinary Trail Guides are available in various locations across Prince Edward Island, listing nearly 150 culinary activities in communities around the province. The Guide is open to businesses that meet the established criteria in the following categories: Restaurants and Take Outs, Culinary Adventures, Authentic P.E.I. Products, Farmers, Fishers, Local Markets, and Culinary Festivals & Events. The Culinary Trail is also supported by a website www.peiflavours.ca .
The Zagat guide and the Culinary Trail Guide are initiatives of the Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance.
“Prince Edward Island has world-class harvested and produced products, local food and culinary experiences,” said Clement. “The Culinary Trail brings all of these together so visitors and Islanders can see all of the culinary offerings in one guide.”
Through provincial and federal government investments in the P.E.I. Culinary Alliance, Prince Edward Island is raising the profile of its culinary products, successfully marketing the province as a top culinary tourism destination, and strengthening its economy by supporting its primary industries.
Culinary tourism has been recognized as a key sector by the Prince Edward Island tourism industry. Through the promotion of its fresh seafood, including lobster, oysters and mussels, and its small-farm raised beef, vegetables and grains, Prince Edward Island has positioned itself as a food lovers’ paradise.
“The culinary trail has proven to be a most helpful marketing tool. Prince Edward Island has great local food and the Culinary Trail is a great way to promote our products,” said Roger Greaves of the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market.
The P.E.I. Culinary Alliance is a partnership between the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Prince Edward Island departments of Tourism and Culture, Innovation and Advanced Learning, Agriculture and Forestry, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, as well as industry representatives. The Alliance was created to develop innovative food industry partnerships, culinary experiences and promotional programs.
Backgrounder
The top markets and restaurants in the Food and Popularity categories are as follows:
Top Food
1) Lot 30 (Eclectic)
2) Sirenella (Italian)
3) Pearl Cafe (Eclectic)
4) Shipwright’s (Canadian)
5) Selkirk (Continental)
6) Malpeque Oyster (Seafood)
7) Inn at Bay Fortune (American/Seafood)
8) Cafe Maplethorpe (Canadian)
9) PEI Preserve Co. (American/Canadian)
10) Home Place (Canadian)
Most Popular
1) Gahan House (Pub Food)
2) PEI Preserve Co. (American/Canadian)
3) Fisherman's Wharf (Seafood)
4) Lot 30 (Eclectic)
5) New Glasgow Lobster (Seafood)
6) Pearl Cafe (Eclectic)
7) Pilot House (Eclectic/Pub Food)
8) Dalvay by the Sea (European)
9) Claddagh Oyster (Seafood)
10) Sims Corner (Seafood/Steak)
Top Markets
Most Popular – Charlottetown Farmers Market
Top Quality – Summerside Farmers Market
Top Display – Riverview Country Market
Top Service – Summerside Farmers Market