A popular food and wine festival that spotlights local Nova Scotia businesses is set to launch its 22nd edition in Halifax.
Savour Food and Wine Festival kicks off at a time when restaurants continue to deal with escalating operational and food costs, following a recent report from Restaurants Canada that shows three-quarters of Canadians are eating out less often.
Thursday’s event at the Halifax Convention Centre will feature 75 restaurants and exhibitors showcasing their wares.
According to the executive director of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, one of the groups behind Savour, the event is a great marketing opportunity for food businesses during tough times.
“We don’t charge our exhibitors to be in the event; it is something we do for our members,” says Natasha Chestnut. “The other thing is, the timing that it’s aligned with. We know historically that January, February, March are a slower time of year (and) that people aren’t dining out as much, so I think it is really great timing.”
Chestnut says that with 1,300 guests expected Thursday night, the event is sold out, but people can get tickets to other Savour festival events, such as Imbibe: A Cocktail Event on April 29 at the Lighthouse Arts Centre.
Due to its popularity, she said the organizers are now looking at expanding the one-day festival in the future.
“We have an entire Savour Food and Wine committee,” says Chestnut, adding following this year’s event, the group will look at options to lengthen the festival or create pop-up events throughout the year. “We don’t want anyone to miss out, so we have to find a way to build it out and look at how we can make sure everyone gets to experience it.”
