Have you always wanted to go to Prince Edward Island, but circumstances have so far conspired against you? That’s been my excuse. I haven’t yet travelled east of Quebec; although I keep making it a New Year’s resolution. Well, the Culinary Alliance of Prince Edward Island has teamed with Chef Michael Smith to bring you a web series that highlights PEI’s People, Places and Foods called, Food Country. The ongoing weekly series features Chef Michael Smith’s food adventures as he sources ingredients throughout the province then returns to his kitchen to cook and create the simple flavourful dishes he’s known for. “Food Country is an online showcase of Prince Edward Island’s flavours, people and stories,” says Chef Michael Smith. “We’re showing the world what a special food destination we are, how food is woven into the tapestry of our culture and why we’re worth a special visit.”

In the field, Chef Smith visits potato farms, vegetable farms, beef farms, oyster beds, local markets, a vodka distillery or heads to sea aboard a lobster boat. In the kitchen, he transforms the ingredients he finds into simple dishes. I really like the fact that he creates dishes that are easy to reproduce and that I can easily see myself making on any given weeknight. Fancy and complicated recipes certainly have their place. But, for the most part, my kitchen time is spent preparing everyday, ordinary (hopefully great tasting) meals. The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway explains: “Our government, through ACOA, is pleased to partner in the online Food Country series. This project will profile the fishing and farming communities in Prince Edward Island, the world class produce and product they’re famous for, and showcase the outstanding culinary experiences to be discovered throughout the province.”

“Prince Edward Island is a place that produces some world famous foods such as Malpeque oysters, mussels, beef, lobster and of course potatoes. It is also rapidly gaining the reputation as one of the great culinary tourism destinations in North America,” says Jeff McCourt, chair of the Culinary Alliance. Does the thought of all of that great food make you want to run out and book a trip to PEI? Uh huh, me, too.

The series launched on PEI’s website www.foodcountry.ca on January 7, 2011. Here, Chef Smith explains how to clean mushrooms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuqIf6bcBE