From Farm-to-Fire-to-Feast

The Inn at Bay Fortune

Welcome to the Inn at Bay Fortune, Prince Edward Island's only 5-Star Inn that is well on its way to becoming one of the world’s leading culinary tourism destinations. I was here, along with my husband, and our daughter, her partner and his family for the famous FireWorks Feast, an immersive farm-to-table dining experience. It takes place over four hours and features foraged ingredients from Chef Michael Smith’s Culinary Farm, along with other local tastes.

One of Canada's Best Known Chefs

Chef Michael is one of Canada’s best known chefs, and he is just the man to bring the world to Prince Edward Island. Upon hearing I was going to have the privilege of having some valuable one-on-one time with this famous chef prior to our dining experience, I was feeling a tad nervous. I read as much as I could on Chef Michael, and the Inn at Bay Fortune to prepare. However, in the end, I went with my gut, put away my notes, and chose to have an informal chat with him versus a scripted Q & A session.

Chef Michael Smith

Everyone took notice when Chef Michael Smith walked into the Inn’s lounge, where our group was enjoying a cocktail. The room fell silent. This guy is tall - really tall! Take it from a girl who pushes it when she tells you she's 5'3", I had to look up, w-a-y up! He's 6'7" but height aside, what impressed me the most about Chef Michael, a well-known celebrity in his own right, was his easy-going, humble demeanor. He welcomed and conversed with our group with ease, then graciously invited me to join him for a one-on-one conversation in a quiet spot inside the restaurant. My nerves started to settle with his friendly ways, and I could finally focus, and muster up a few questions. I soon discovered his absolute commitment for sustainability to deliver a flavourful culinary experience from farm-to-fire-to-feast for all his guests. I was mesmerized by his passion. It doesn't hurt that he sounds exactly like Jeff Bridges, too. I honestly would be happy to just listen to him read the dictionary or a phone book, or better yet one of his 10+ published cookbooks - all day - every day, but I digress...

Organic Farming

What I discovered during our 20-minute chat, was that Chef Michael is a kind, down-to-earth, intelligent man with a desire for healthy living, organic farming, regionalism, and sustainability. He has a clear vision to learn from the past, and to look to the future. He is progressive, while still being thoughtfully reflective with practices & processes re-imagining innovative ways to farm organically, cook with the challenge of live fires, flavour creatively, and provide an imaginative shared communal dining experience. On top of all of that, he delivers guest a dining experience in an environmentally-conscious way.

FireWorks

FireWorks, I learned, is not the restaurant's name, but it also refers to the beloved brick-lined, wood-burning, 'fire-breathing beast' Chef Michael and his Fire Brigade (his team of chefs) proudly practice the ancient art of live-fire cooking in. Chef Michael shared that preparing & presenting food from flame, and sharing it with others has been a deep fire that has burned in him for years. Chef Michael, along with his Fire Brigade, prepare100% of their feast offerings with live fires. I am here to say, we are fortunate that they do, too. There is nothing like it!

Farm-to-Fire-to-Fork

Listening to Chef Michael share his core values & beliefs, as well as his passion & joy for preparing, cooking and sharing flavourful food was delightful. Oh, did I mention he sounds just like Jeff Bridges? But seriously though, I was curious to hear why when he & his wife Chastity chose to live and raise their two girls here - when they could live anywhere in the world. The answer is simple - they love it here. He agreed that he could try to replicate this farm-to-fire-to-fork dining experience elsewhere, but it wouldn’t be the same. There is just something special about this place for Chef Michael - about this island, this ocean, these people. This is home. Michael's chef roots are here, and his wife Chastity is a Maritimes-born girl. So what better place to raise their children than on Prince Edward Island, in the heart of the Maritimes? I get it. But oh my, we are truly blessed to have them here.

Celebrate!

Our group of nine, two forever families connected by our children were vacationing on Prince Edward Island. We were here on this special day at The Inn of Bay Fortune to take in Chef Michael's FireWorks experience. Foodies all - and excited beyond belief, we raised our glasses to what this highly-anticipated special evening would hold for us.

Welcome to The Feast!

At 5 o'clock... I swear I heard a Sangria calling my name, so we wandered outside (others heard the call too but for some reason they heard a Signature Caesar beckoning). We could see other guests signing in, and beginning to mill around the extensive grounds, and just like that - it was wine o'clock! For those that preferred other libations, have no worries - there were many options to choose from. Even those not staying at the Inn, that were designated drivers, can enjoy an iced tea or a choice of naturally flavoured water blends. Then to much fanfare - Chef Michael appeared and began mingling, and the evening was afoot as he declared,“Welcome to the Feast!”

The Farm Tour

A half hour later, a guided tour was offered for all FireWorks Feast guests with a walk-through explanation of the workings of the Inn at Bay Fortune’s organic farm, greenhouses and gardens. Chef Michael happened to be available to lead it on this day. Often that is not the case, but we were lucky. The informative walking emphasized the connectivity the chefs have to the land, water and animals. As described on the Inn's Farm/Fires/Feast handout... "We chop wood. We build fires. We forage. We farm. We fish. We ferment. We grow vegetables. We raise pigs. We cook. We bake. We smoke. We pickle and preserve. We serve and share. We are the Fire Brigade." In a nutshell, they do it all.

The Fire Brigade

The Fire Brigade chefs are hands-on every step of the way. They also become masters of studying live fire cooking techniques. Their job requires them to be physically & mentally fully present as they bring the feast you enjoy from farm-to-fire-to-fork. It is a masterful process when you take the time to appreciate all the steps & processes that culminate in each course being delivered to the table throughout the feast. All for you to savour every morsel of that 'just right' flavour intensity that Chef Michaelangelo - the mastermind behind it, has envisioned. I mean really... he already had me at “Hello.”

Oyster Hour

Following the farm tour, Oyster hour commences. A social cocktail hour continues with an added journey of edible discoveries through an outdoor array of fire-fuelled flavours. Oyster Hour features ember-roasted oysters, unlimited raw oysters, and three fire stations with hors d’oeuvre’s cooked or smoked with live fire. I have three words for you - Oh My YUM!

A Sabre Toast

Just prior to the communal long table feast gathering inside the Inn, guests were gathered on the front lawn for a sabre toast with sparkling wine as Chef Michael delivered a reflective toast giving thanks & blessings.

FireWorks Feast

The FireWorks Feast is truly - a feast for all the senses. I was discussing the experience with one of the Fire Brigade (the chefs and cooks that make this possible with Chef Michael’s tutelage) and he was trying to put his finger on what it is exactly.“You know, I think… it’s the Four F’s - Farm - Fires - Feast … & Feel!” I nodded, but added “I think you need to add one more F and make it the Five F’s - to add Family too!” “That’s it!” he grinned “You nailed it!’

Multi-Course Meal

The Feast includes a sit-down multi-course meal, which I highly recommend you pair with their suggested wines for a total experience. If you are going to do it - do it right and go big. It all happened right in front of the Inn’s 25-foot live-fire hearth for us, too, which gave us a front row seat to observe the Fire Brigade bringing it all to life right before our eyes. The courses just keep on coming & coming beginning with a bread course, followed by a Maritime Chowder, then an Earth Plate & Salad Course, then a Shared Plate, Meat or Catch of the day with Vegetables Course, culminating with a Farm Dessert. Then scrumptious house-made marshmallows appear to roast over an open fire at the end of the evening.

Unique Culinary Experience

Chef Michael & his wife Chastity (Chazz) have created a world-class culinary experience at the Inn at Bay Fortune. The unique ambiance of their farm setting on Prince Edward Island with a shared communal experience of coming together at long tables around a flavourful food harvest curated from their very farm is really something special. It is everything you expect, and so much more. I hope you get the opportunity to enjoy it at least one in your lifetime. If you do, please tell Michael & Chazz, the Maritimes Maven sent you. Cheers!

Inn at Fortune Bridge

I had the opportunity to return one year after my first experience enjoying the FireWorks Feast at the Inn at Bay Fortune to then be hosted at the Inn at Fortune Bridge, Michael & Chastity Smith’s newest boutique hotel. Fall asleep in Prince Edward Island and wake up in Paris. Be swept up in this luxurious setting with all the modern comforts while surrounded by19th Century French antiques. Then be swept away to Chef Michael’s Famous Fireworks Feast at The Inn at Bay Fortune in a chauffeured vintage Bentley to arrive and depart in style. For more information on booking your FireWorks Feast and/or staying at Chef Michael’s Inn at Bay Fortune or Inn at Fortune Bridge, click on the photo links below.

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