Nova Scotia Seafood Academy Serves Up a Taste of Culinary Culture and Community

WOLFVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA — August 11, 2026 — Nova Scotia’s renowned seafood industry is taking centre stage in a new culinary tourism experience designed to bring visitors closer to the province’s food, culture and communities.

With $135,000 in support from the Government of Canada, Devour! Studios is developing and piloting the Nova Scotia Seafood Academy, a three-day, hands-on culinary experience in Wolfville that invites home chefs and culinary travellers from across North America to discover the stories and traditions behind Nova Scotia seafood.

The academy offers participants an immersive introduction to seafood preparation, sustainable sourcing and local products, while showcasing the people and communities that contribute to the province’s vibrant seafood sector. The pilot program is already underway, with opportunities to connect the experience to local accommodations, restaurants and other tourism businesses.

The initiative reflects the growing importance of culinary tourism as a way to encourage visitors to explore destinations more deeply, stay longer and experience local culture through food.

“Atlantic Canada’s tourism sector is powered by authentic experiences that connect visitors with our communities, cultures and local products,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “By supporting Devour! Studios as it pilots the Nova Scotia Seafood Academy, we’re helping create new reasons for people to visit Nova Scotia, while supporting local businesses and the people who make this region such a remarkable place.”

For Nova Scotia, the academy offers another opportunity to share the province’s culinary identity with visitors from Canada and around the world.

“From our world-class seafood to the creativity of our chefs and producers, Nova Scotia has a fantastic story to share,” said Kody Blois, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants. “This investment is helping Devour! Studios turn that story into an unforgettable experience that brings more visitors to the Annapolis Valley and connects them with the people, businesses and cultures that make the region so vibrant.”

The Nova Scotia Seafood Academy builds on the culinary and cultural programming of Devour! Studios, which is also home to Devour! The Food Film Fest. The studio offers year-round cooking courses, musical events and other programming aimed at strengthening Nova Scotia’s reputation as a destination for food and culture.

According to Michael Howell, Executive Director of Devour! Studios and Devour! The Food Film Fest, the academy is about more than seafood.

“The Nova Scotia Seafood Academy celebrates our province’s incredible seafood while helping people learn lifelong culinary skills,” Howell said, adding that the initiative builds on Devour!’s broader role as a culinary and cultural hub.

By combining hands-on cooking, local stories and authentic community connections, the Nova Scotia Seafood Academy is positioning food as a gateway to discovering the province—one seafood experience at a time.