Island Food
World Famous Food
When touring Prince Edward Island, you'll see miles of lush rolling farmlands and coastlines dotted with fishing harbours, so it may not come as a surprise to discover that the food industry is the single most important contributor to our provincial economy. PEI is proud of its "clean and green" reputation world-wide and offers tourists a wonderful opportunity to "tour and taste" some of the best we have to offer.
On an island where the primary industries are farming and fishing, fresh is the operative word when it comes to food experiences. Prince Edward Island is famous for its oysters, mussels and even potatoes, and now visitors can enjoy "field to table" culinary touring with a range of hands-on food experiences. On the Island the "100-mile diet" becomes the 10-mile diet as the lobster on your plate may have been harvested on the fishing boat at the dock outside the window and the salad is made up of herbs and greens from the garden in the yard.
Curious about how those delicious lobsters are caught, or how to shuck an oyster properly? Sign up for a guided experience on a lobster boat or a fishing dory. For a full-on foodie weekend, take a look at the PEI fall schedule - not one, but two, amazing fall food festivals are on the September/October calendars.
The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a lively three days filled with music, mussels and oysters plus the intensely exciting shucking competitions. In late September more than 75 events pack the Fall Flavours Festival agenda. Culinary keeners go from smoking and pickling workshops, to oyster tonging and potato picking, to spectacular fine dining with top chefs cooking up nine-course extravaganzas.
PEI continues to grow its on-Island menu to attract travellers who appreciate fresh, local food. Don't miss your chance to experience a number of food-themed festivals taking place during the fall including, The PEI International Shellfish Festival, also known as the biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada and Fall Flavours, an Island-wide culinary event hosted by Chef Michael Smith. These festivals, in addition to Island-specific adventures such as digging for dinner - an exciting clam digging excursion and tong-and-shuck oysters where local oyster fisherman Brian Lewis teaches guests to tong oysters in Salutation Cove, offer full-on foodie experiences unique to PEI.
Known as the Gentle Island of Rejuvenation, PEI strikes the perfect balance as a destination offering a truly restful vacation, while also providing a myriad of activities. Visitors can blend once-in-a-lifetime experiences like becoming a lobster fisherman for a day and clam digging, with travel favourites such as golf, cycling, cultural events and relaxing at the beach.
Customize your own "Taste the Island" Tour
You could sample the chocolates at the Island Chocolates Company in beautiful Victoria by-the-Sea, then travel north to New Glasgow and taste the wonderful array of jams and chutneys at the sampling table at the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company and then head east to sample wines at the Rossignol Estate Winery.
