Islanders have once again proven their love for local.
The local pork initiative, PEI Porktoberfest, recently completed its inaugural October campaign with great success.
The Prince Edward Island Hog Producers, Hometown Pork, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, PEI Flavours and Fresh Media partnered to create this new culinary campaign to raise the profile of the Island pork industry and its farmers.
The campaign encouraged local chefs to build the ultimate gourmet Island pork sausage on a bun. Fifteen restaurants jumped on board to craft an original twist on PEI pork sausage on a bun – a testament to their continued support for local farmers and local products.
Creating greater demand for Prince Edward Island pork in restaurants and grocery stores was the aim of the campaign. This love for local resulted in Islanders savoring more than 2,800 sausages during the month of October.
“The Hog Board is pleased with the awareness the campaign created about the important role the hog industry plays in the provincial economy,” said Tim Seeber, manager of the PEI Hog Marketing Board. “We wanted to put a spotlight on the Island’s hard-working hog farmers, as well as the local markets that sell our pork. We’re proud to say that PEI Porktoberfest did just that.”
“The province was very pleased to partner in this creative campaign to encourage Islanders to eat more local pork,” said Minister of Agriculture and Forestry George Webster. “Encouraging Islanders to buy more local pork supports our hog producers, the provincial economy and our rural communities.”
Winning the culinary title of Best PEI Porktoberfest Chef are Geoff and Debbie Crowther of the Kitchen Witch in New London with their recipe Island Magic, the only 100% gluten-free entry. The Kitchen Witch will continue to offer Island Magic on its menu.
Holly Fraser won the Home Chef Challenge for her creation, “Three Pigs Go To Cuba,” a twist on a classic Cuban sandwich. It featured sweet Italian pork sausages, Island bacon and roasted pork, dill pickles, gruyere cheese, and mustard on a grilled panini bun.
“Over 60 entries were narrowed down to the three finalists by our panel of judges,” said Melody Dover, owner of Fresh Media, the Charlottetown marketing agency that came up with the idea for PEI Porktoberfest. “The creativity, imagination and culinary skills of these home chefs was impressive! Islanders voted for the winner online and there were 2,614 votes cast, which is just amazing.”
One of the highlights of the campaign saw Rick Mercer, popular host of CBC’s Rick Mercer Report, end one of his shows by telling viewers that when on PEI, to enjoy a PEI Porktoberfest sausage in his own comedic style.
“Knowing where your food comes from is so important, and that’s what we wanted to remind Islanders of with this campaign,” said Scott Dingwell, owner of Hometown Pork and a member of the PEI Hog Marketing Board. “Having Rick Mercer promote our pork to all of Canada was certainly a nice bonus.”
Profiles of the Best PEI Porktoberfest Chef and the Home Chef Challenge winner can be found at www.peiporktoberfest.ca.