- Celebrity Chef Michael Smith highlights PEI’s People, Places and Foods in New Series -
The Culinary Alliance of Prince Edward Island is proud to announce that it has partnered with Canada’s most famous chef to showcase the province’s culinary excellence in a new original online web video series, Food Country. The ongoing weekly series features Chef Michael Smith’s food adventures as he sources ingredients throughout the province then returns to his kitchen to cook and create the simple flavourful dishes he’s known for.
“Food Country is an online showcase of Prince Edward Island’s flavours, people and stories,” says Chef Michael Smith. “We’re showing the world what a special food destination we are, how food is woven into the tapestry of our culture and why we’re worth a special visit.”
Each week a new episode will launch, alternating between “field” and “kitchen” episodes. In the field, Chef Michael Smith visits potato farms, vegetable farms, beef farms, oyster beds, local markets, a vodka distillery or heads to sea aboard a lobster boat. In the kitchen, Michael transforms the ingredients he finds into simple dishes that will inspire viewers in their own kitchen.
“Our government, through ACOA, is pleased to partner in the online Food Country series,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “This project will profile the fishing and farming communities in Prince Edward Island, the world class produce and product they’re famous for, and showcase the outstanding culinary experiences to be discovered throughout the province.”
As Prince Edward Island’s Food Ambassador, Chef Michael Smith is already well known throughout the world for his advocacy of the Island and support of local food. He continually brings his passion and expertise to the table in highlighting his beloved Island’s products and producers.
“The Province of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner with Chef Michael Smith, to increase awareness of the Island as a travel and culinary destination,” said Minister of Tourism and Culture Robert Vessey. “This series takes an innovative look at the rich food culture of Prince Edward Island, starting at the foundation -- our fishing and farming industries which provide fresh, world class ingredients for the finest culinary experiences.”
“Prince Edward Island is a place that produces some world famous foods such as Malpeque oysters, mussels, beef, lobster and of course potatoes. It is also rapidly gaining the reputation as one of the great culinary tourism destinations in North America,” says Jeff McCourt, chair of the Culinary Alliance.
Launching on Friday January 7, 2011, on Food Country’s first episode, Chef Michael visits Brookfield Gardens, a vegetable farm in the heart of Prince Edward Island where he finds carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and a surprising pig roast. The following Tuesday, the associated kitchen episode will air as Chef Michael Smith shows how to transform the bounty of Brookfield Gardens into Garlic Steamed Broccoli.
There are 24 episodes initially created for Food Country, and they can be found at www.foodcountry.ca
About The Prince Edward Island Culinary Alliance
The PEI Culinary Alliance is a partnership between the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the PEI Department of Tourism and Culture, the PEI Department of Agriculture, the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and industry. The PEI Culinary Alliance was created to develop innovative food industry partnerships, culinary experiences and promotional programs.
About Chef Michael Smith
Chef Michael Smith, Canada’s best-known chef, is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and inspiring families to create their own healthy food lifestyle. He is the winner of the James Beard Award for Cooking Show Excellence and host of Chef Abroad, Chef at Home and Chef at Large seen on Food Network Canada and in more than 100 other countries.
Michael is Prince Edward Island’s official food ambassador, an award-winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, professional chef and home cook. He recently returned from leading the team of chefs that cooked for the world’s Olympians in the Whistler Athletes Village. His fourth cookbook, The Best of Chef at Home, is a smash hit across Canada. Although Michael is a true chef at large, his favorite role is Dad, home on Prince Edward Island with his son Gabriel.