PEI Fireworks Feast is an experience and inspiration

Canadian travel is top of mind right now. With turbulent receptions about the world, PEI’s FireWorks Feast is a culinary experience that should direct a next vacation lens toward Canada’s smallest maritime province.

Small in stature, sure, PEI takes a back seat to nowhere when it comes to culinary delights, and the FireWorks Feast is just one way to experience it.

Prince Edward Island’s culinary scene is tough to define, maybe grassroots? The famous potatoes of Cavendish, to some of the best seafood experiences in the world laid bare in heartwarming shacks, mom-and-pop pop ups, side of the road chalets and porch after porch reaching out over the Atlantic. Experience and talent dance together in kitchen after kitchen on the coasts of red clay. And the entertainment, well, that’s all yours to enjoy.

So take the trip out east, and see why one of the smallest parts of our country, has one of the largest reputations.

Award-winning chef Michael Smith offers visitors a culinary experience at an annual FireWorks Feast held at his seaside Inn of Bay Fortune on Prince Edward Island. Smith calls the feast the inspiration for his new cookbook Wood, Fire & Smoke.

The event runs nightly from May 16 to October 11 and is named after Chef Smith’s enormous 25-foot wood-burning fireplace that anchors the seven-course dinner. The FireWorks Feast has become one of largest farm-to-fire-to-fork dinners in North America.

“It’s as a unique expression of PEI and our Culinary Farm, as it is of time and place,” said Smith. “We are a culinary destination by design. We grow what we serve, and we are as much an outdoor experience as we are an indoor experience. Our guests spend significant time on our eight-acre culinary farm with 40 acres of trails in our Art Forest, then sit down for a unique taste of PEI”.

Smith is a member of the Order of Canada, a Pinnacle Chef of the Year, and the author of 12 bestselling cookbooks. He’s also hosted and judged several TV cooking shows on The Food Network. Season Two of his latest TV show Chef on Fire airs this year on Bell Fibe TV 1.

Chef Smith, his family, along with his ‘Fire Brigade’ (team) have operated the FireWorks Feast for a decade. The immersive dining experience takes over four hours and features locally sourced meat, fish, oysters, PEI artisan products and vegetables picked from Smith’s Culinary Garden. Fresh oysters are harvested from the bay directly in front of the inn. Adding yet another unique dimension, the meal also features an array of wild foods foraged in the woods, fields, streams and seashores surrounding his property.

The festivities begin at 3 p.m. when guests are invited to join the open house self-guided tour where they can explore the extensive picture-perfect grounds, Woodland Trails and Art Forest. Signs with QR codes add to the immersive guest experience.

At 4:30 guests head to the Farmers Classroom overlooking the Chefs Garden for a weekday Farmers Chat & Taste led by farmer Kevin Petrie. Guests get to taste the farm’s terroir while learning about its unique ecosystems and sustainable regenerative agriculture techniques. New this year is a Foragers Chat & Taste on Saturdays with forager Nick of North.

At 5 p.m. guests head to the Fire Garden which is a celebration of live-fire cooking featuring five unique cooking stations as well as the Bay Fortune Oyster Bar. Guests can get their fill of raw oysters while also enjoying ember-roasted oysters, slow cooked salmon and other specialties.

There’s an air of excitement and anticipation as guests head into the FireWorks Restaurant to sit down for dinner at long communal tables. Dinner includes a Bread Course, Maritime Chowder, Earth Plate & Salad Course, Shared Plate, Meat or Catch of the Day with Vegetables Course and Farm Dessert. After dinner, guests gather around the roaring campfire to enjoy house-made marshmallows.

“The FireWorks Feast is summarized in three words that have guided us since before we opened –Farm, Fire and Feast,” said Smith. “Feast is the idea of a shared communal celebration. It’s the cooks and our guests, and we are all having a great time. It’s an expression of joy when you are asked to share your craft with your guests. Talking to people in our space is intoxicating. There’s a reason why we’ve grown so much over 10 years. It truly is an authentic, real experience that people love so much that they can’t wait to come back and see what we’re doing next time.”

By mid February the chef proudly states that the feast is “half-sold for the season.”

Forty seats are reserved nightly for guests staying at their Inn of Bay Fortune and Fortune Bridge House, with 20 seats available to the public. Smith is also proud that the farm and feast are a family affair.

“My wife Chas (Chastity) looks after the hotel and the finesse side of the business, and I look after the food aspect and the farm. It’s not just me; my wife and kids are engaged as well.”

The price to attend the FireWorks Feast is $255 per person, plus tax, with service gratuities included. Beverages can be purchased at an additional cost.

Sidebar:

Where to Stay

Inn guests are guaranteed seats to the FireWorks Feast with tickets purchased at an additional cost.

The Inn at Bay Fortune

Set on 75 acres, Inn at Bay Fortune is a seaside sanctuary, beautifully decorated with antiques, modern furnishings and local artwork. Creature comforts include cozy robes and slippers, luxury linens, heated bathroom floors, gourmet breakfast and more.

The Classic Courtyard features nine original rooms with unique layouts and newly remodeled Art Deco bathrooms. Several rooms feature propane fireplaces. Six additional rooms offer million-dollar views from the North and South Towers.

Fortune Bridge House

This stunning boutique hotel was once a family home and the Johnson General Store, which has been extensively renovated to become one of PEI’s leading country inns. The property features six large rooms/suites decorated with fine French antiques.

“It’s a level up as we worked with architects and completely renovated a historic property,” says Michael Smith. “Luxury! It’s about one kilometer away along the Fortune River and guests are given chauffeur service to The Inn at Bay Fortune in our Bentley. They love it and it’s so much fun.”