News Release

CARAQUET (GNB) – The 2015 Buy Local tour van made a stop in Caraquet today as part of the FestiVin wine festival.

The event took place at the déja BU! wine bar-restaurant and featured food and wine pairings by nationally-renowned chefs and sommeliers who used locally-available products.

“This type of event highlights the diversity of products available in each of the province’s regions,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “In addition to providing access to delicious fresh products, it is important to support our local industries because the spin-offs remain in our communities, allowing us to create local jobs.”

Chefs Jonathan Canning and Andrew Stevens assisted the restaurant’s team to give the participants a first-rate culinary experience. Everything was paired with a selection of wines chosen by master sommelier and Canada’s best sommelier for 2015, Élyse Lambert, and best sommelier in Atlantic Canada Robert Noël.

“These chefs have worked for nationally-renowned restaurants such as Catch in Calgary, Lumière in Vancouver, Raw Bar in Calgary, Eden in Banff, Little Louis in Moncton, and Rush in Calgary,” said déjà BU! owner and wine and kitchen director Robert Noël. “These two accomplished chefs are now culinary instructors at the Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley campus, where they share their passion and savoir-faire with the next generation of up-and-coming chefs.”

The Buy Local tour will stop at several other locations across the province until mid-October. More information on future events, the tour schedule, and special articles are available online.