A conversation with Lot Six’s head bartender, Andrew Keyes. Shucking competitions are nerve-wracking: with the clock ticking and audience roaring, it’s a high-pressure situation. But for Andrew Keyes, it’s another day at the office. Andrew is the head bartender at Lot Six, and where he mixes drinks and serves up oysters by the hundreds at…

Winemaker Gina Haverstock tells us why this pairing works. When you think of Nova Scotia, what comes to mind? Is it the friendly faces? The ocean? Seafood? Or wine, perhaps? In a province rich in both homegrown food and drink, taste is a huge reminder of home.  Gina Haverstock, head winemaker at Gaspereau and Jost Vineyards, says…

In just one week, we’ll be shuckin’ and slurpin’ the night away on the Halifax waterfront. It’s the fifth year of our annual fest, and we’ve grown a ton along the way. This year’s Halifax Oyster Festival is sure to be the best one yet!

Oysters kind of fell into David Burns’ life. But once they did, they never left.  After being suddenly left without work about seven years ago, David applied to Rodney’s Oyster House in Toronto on a bit of a whim.  Always a fan of seafood and great culinary experiences, David was in awe when he first…

Daniel Notkin’s infatuation with the sea started when he was a kid, although he didn’t eat his first oyster until he was 30. Today he is a Canadian championship oyster shucker. He has also competed in China and is the founder of Montreal Oysterfest. But Haligonians probably know him best for his presence at Halifax…

Halifax Oyster Festival and the Halifax Marriott Habourfront Hotel are teaming up to provide a festival package for out-of-town guests. Stay on the waterfront at the Halifax Marriott Habourfront Hotel and walk down to the festival grounds on the city’s famous boardwalk. Package includes 2 tickets to the festival, one night stay and 25% off food…

Our festival’s culinary event, Pearl Jam, combining oysters and cocktails is back—this time we are going on the road. This year we will have Shane Beehan leading a field trip to explore Halifax’s oyster and cocktail scene with designated driving provided by Taste Halifax. During this fun three-hour Pearl Jam tour, the tour bus will visit…

This past January John Bil passed away from cancer at his home in Toronto, Ontario. Bil had been a guest of the Halifax Oyster Festival the past few years, providing encouragement, advice and judging at the front table. To honour his memory and his love of all things oysters we are renaming our annual Nova…

-More oyster farms! We have 20+ registered oyster farms and depending on water temperature at the time of harvest and CFIA clearance, all should be onsite at the Halifax Oyster Festival. -GIANT oysters, you know, the BIG ONES, that intimidate most of us but are the “pearl” for others, will be served at an extra…