Inaugural food tourism award handed at N.B. gala

Article content

Food tourism operators were recognized with their own category for the first time at the annual Tourism Industry Association New Brunswick Awards.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Maxime Gauvin, executive director of Savour NB, said his newly formed organization has a mandate to support various aspects of the food and beverage industry and decided to sponsor the first ever Food Tourism Award at the TIANB awards gala in Saint John on Nov. 14.

Food producers or restauranteurs have won awards in other categories at the TIANB awards gala, but have never had a category of their own. Gauvin pointed out the food tourism sector is growing in the province as more tourism operators, restaurants, and culinary chefs begin to offer events and experiences highlighting local New Brunswick food and products.

“It’s more than just a tourism experience and we really see food as something central to what can move forward the New Brunswick economy and the pride of place,” he said. “It was a way for us to recognize people doing great work.”

To qualify for the award, participants had to either be nominated or nominate themselves and be a member of Savour NB, which is a free membership.

Ballet by the Ocean, Château Scoudouc and Bouctouche Farmers Market were the shortlisted finalists with Ballet by the Ocean being announced as the winner.

The Ballet by the Ocean first began in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions often prevented performing arts events from happening indoors. As part of the experience guests enjoy the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean at a protected wetland in Grand-Digue. The performance features new choreography by Atlantic Ballet’s Igor Dobrovolskiy on an outdoor stage, along with a three-course meal made from locally sourced ingredients by the team of chefs from Atelier Tony.

Article content

Article content

Susan Chalmers-Gauvin, co-founder and CEO of the Atlantic Ballet Canada, said Ballet by the Ocean showcases the best of New Brunswick, both the food, scenery, and the arts.

The ballet provides an opportunity for the patrons eat locally-made food and have conversations while eating and watching the performance, along with unique moments like hearing about the protected wetland and then hearing the birds singing while the dance is going on.

“The total experience is really quite magical,” she said.

She congratulated the Atlantic Ballet team and the chefs from Atelier Tony after winning the food tourism award.

Jordan Holden, executive chef of Atelier Tony, said he was unable to attend the gala, but was thrilled to learn Ballet by the Ocean took home the award.

“It’s very exciting to be recognized for what we’re doing. We do put a lot of work into it,” he said.

Preparing meals for the ballet event was different than at the Atelier Tony restaurant. Holden said his team gets to prepare food with the natural backdrop of the ocean, and have more interactions with the guests to hear their feedback.

“We get to cook literally on the ocean overlooking this beautiful piece of art which is the ballet. It’s really different than being in the kitchen all day where it’s hot and sweaty,” said Holden.

This was Atelier Tony’s second year being involved with Ballet by the Ocean.

At first, Holden said he was surprised people came from across Canada and from other countries and had included Ballet by the Ocean in their travel plans, but once he got to participate in the event for himself, he understood how it got to be so popular.

Article content

Chalmers-Gauvin noted people have come from every province, the U.S., France, Australia, and other countries to experience the ballet.

Ballet by the Ocean has helped with exposure for the restaurant, and Holden said they have seen people who attended the ballet become repeat customers at Atelier Tony.

He noted it is good to have an award dedicated to food tourism and he hopes it will encourage restaurants and tourism operators to strive for high quality offerings and to grow the industry.

Chalmers-Gauvin said the coming year is a milestone for both Ballet by the Ocean and Atelier Tony as both are celebrating their fifth anniversary. The team is planning for the coming year and tickets are available at balletbytheocean.ca.

Here is the list of the other TIANB award winners:
Delta Hotels NB Tourism Ambassador Award- Daniel Clavette
Small Business Marketing Award- Cliff Valley Astronomy and Tourisme Péninsule Acadienne
Large Business Marketing Award- L’Office du tourisme Edmundston Madawaska
Tourism Product Development Award – Le Pays de la Sagouine for Akadi Lumina
Tourism Partnership Award- Festival des mollusques de Bouctouche
Indigenous Business Award- Jenna’s Nut-Free Dessertery
Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award- Mountain Bike Minto
Large Festival & Event Award- La Grande Grouille
Small Festival & Event Award- Fundy Sea Shanty Festival

Article content