FireWorks Feast: An Iconic Canadian Food Tourism Experience
In no uncertain terms, the FireWorks Feast from Chef Michael Smith and The Inn at Bay Fortune is iconic Canadiana and should be towards the top of the bucket list of any avid and adventurous culinary tourist.
This is more than the story of an immersive culinary experience. This is the story of Chef Michael Smith living the manifestation of his ode to a bygone era where what was served on the plate was what was grown, harvested and produced locally, with a seasonal selection that literally ebbed and flowed with the tides of the surrounding region.
Located on bountiful Prince Edward Island, these island flavours are sourced from a chef’s paradise anchored by the rusty red dirt of the land and the mid-tone blue of the sea.The Feast showcases an array of ingredients and products from the many culinary artisans that call the island home.
The FireWorks Feast is an authentically relaxing getaway and an immersive farm-to-table dining experience. Every evening seats at the FireWorks Feast are guaranteed for all overnight guests. A limited number of seats are also available for visitors from off property. Demand is high so if you are not staying at the Inn, reservations must be made ahead, months in advance in some cases. But if you are going to navigate all the way there, I would highly recommend at least one night at the historic Inn to take in the full experience. It may happen only once in your lifetime.
If you are as lucky as I was.
The Feast includes a sit-down multi-course meal in front of a 25-foot live-fire hearth. They serve a bread course, a mythical maritime chowder, an earth plate and salad course, a shared plate, a meat or catch-of-the-day with vegetables course, and farm dessert which includes house-made marshmallows roasted over an open fire. Hungry yet? I am.
The Inn at Bay Fortune features its own cookbook, observation deck, fire garden, experimental chefs garden, immersive forest trails, mushroom patch, apple orchard and many other experiential features. They have even welcomed their own flock of free-range hens so you can enjoy farm-fresh eggs for breakfast.
FireWorks Feast Hours:
May to August – The Culinary Farm Tour starts at 5:00 pm, Oyster Hour at 6:00 pm and The FireWorks Feast at 7:00 pm.
In September & October, everything begins an hour earlier.
Included in the FireWorks Feast
The unique dining experience takes place over four hours featuring ingredients from the culinary farm, foraged and local tastes.
A Culinary Farm Tour with a petite Farm Taste.
Oyster Hour features ember roasted oysters, unlimited raw oysters and three fire
stations with hors d’oeuvre’s cooked or smoked with live fire.
A sabre toast with sparkling wine.
It may sound cliché, but I have always known this to be true – life is short. Take in the moments where you can experience elevated food, beverages, company and surroundings. From the moment you arrive at the Inn you will feel the enigmatic energy of the Atlantic. You will experience the embrace of Chef Smith and his talented team. And as the indulgences pass your lips, you will welcome the bounty of Prince Edward Island into your body with sensations that stimulate your mind and stir your spirit.
This is exactly what Canada tastes like.
Travel Well,
Joe
