Sunday, October 5, 2008

Fall Flavours Keep It Coming...great work..

It's really nice to get home and hear some positive news for a change... unfortunately I was out of the Country during the week of Fall Flavours but I did talk to a lot of friends and operators and everyone seems very happy and hopefully they will build on this event and I'll make sure I don't miss it next year.... by coincidence I was in Nantucket during their annual "Restaurant Week" which has turned into a major tourist week. Almost all of the many restaurants on Nantucket Island had 3 course "table d'hôte" specials on their menu for $45 which was a bargain compared to their normal pricing which is near triple our PEI restaurant prices. I think PEI Fall Flavours was a great idea and I really believe it could be something that our Tourism industry could really build on...Kudos to everyone involved!
Fall Flavours proves big hit
DOUG GALLANT
The Guardian
Response to the inaugural Fall Flavours event has surpassed all expectations, organizers said Friday. Tracey Singleton, director of marketing and development for Tourism Charlottetown, said several of the key Fall Flavours events have sold out and the demand for tickets for the remaining events is high. “Response has been overwhelmingly positive,’’ Singleton said. “Tonight’s (Friday’s) roving feast is sold out, the organic harvest meal is sold out, and the events at the Culinary Institute of Canada are sold out. Right now we’re getting a lot of last minute inquiries. We’re expecting very good crowds for the rest of the weekend.’’ Singleton said the comments she’s heard from visitors have been very encouraging. “They love the décor downtown,’’ Singleton said. “They’ve also commented on how everybody seems to be in synch, our restaurants, our galleries, our craft shops. Everybody is singing from the same book. People are completely blown away by it.’’ The Hotel Association of Prince Edward Island Inc. has also applauded the efforts of Tourism Charlottetown for its initiative to launch another festival. “The concept of Fall Flavours is another feather in the cap to Charlottetown and adds to the list of successful events presented by Tourism Charlottetown,’’ said association president Elaine Thomson. “Festivals and events are a crucial component to the development of the Island’s tourism sector,’’ Thomson said.Organizers believe the success of Fall Flavours in year one bodes well for the future. “It’s been a huge success for an event in its first year,’’ Singleton said. “It solidifies our thought that there was a huge demand out there for culinary tourism. This event is ideal for people travelling at this time of year. Chef Michael Smith has been an amazing ambassador for this event and a huge draw.’’ Fall Flavours wraps up Sunday but there are a number of major events slated to take place before that happens. One of the biggest events of the week, Farm Day In The City, takes place Sunday. Organizers anticipate it could draw 10,000 people.“We believe this will be the largest barbecue ever held on P.E.I. there will be lamb, pork, chicken, beef and veggies.’’ Smith will prepare and serve piping hot potatoes with special sauces from the Cuisine Machine. A big farmer’s market will top it off with P.E.I. farmers and processors selling, promoting and offering demonstrations about their wares to the public. There will be local musicians, kids interactive activities, a pumpkin fair, fresh pressed apple cider and Food Bank fundraisers. Today’s events include the Culinary Boot Camp featuring Chef Rob O’Connon at the Culinary Institute of Canada this morning at 9 a.m., which is already sold out; the P.E.I. Studio Tour, an Islandwide event that starts at 10 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m.; a book signing event at The Confederation Court Mall with Chef Smith and other Island authors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Dipped in Chocolate with the Island Chocolates Company Ltd. at The Chocolate Factory in Victoria from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

1 comment:

Robeast said...

http://nantucket.plumtv.com/videos/sample_nantucket_restaurant_week