Have you ever met someone with whom you clicked instantly? For me, it was Gary MacDonald, the former general manager of The Five Fishermen. I was lucky enough to work with “GMac” for over four years, where he put up with the tantrums, the screaming, the sometimes unreasonable requests and two pregnancies.
Gary & I hamming it up at a function.
This was a man who made me laugh, cry and pull out my hair. I still remember the last conversation we had, just mere hours before he passed, when he inquired about my bust size (I was VERY pregnant and many things had “bloomed”). Oh Gmac, how I miss you.
Why am I writing about GMac? Well, Gary played an important role as a key member of the Taste Of Nova Scotia board of directors for many years. Gary was without a doubt a true Nova Scotian culinary ambassador. As a result, an award was developed in recognition of his passion for our province.
The Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador Award, was handed out for the second time at the Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards. The awards took place last week and this year’s recipient is a friend, colleague and all around nice guy, Craig Flinn. (Last year's winner was another great friend, Alain Bossé.)
Craig is the chef/owner of Chives Canadian Bistro, and I was so happy to learn that he had been selected as the winner of this award that means so much to me. Craig truly does epitomize “Nova Scotia culinary” by not only cooking with Nova Scotian products, but by representing the province through his cookbooks, his charity work and his involvement in the 2012 Canadian Chefs’ Congress.
I know that somewhere, up in the heavens, GMac is looking down, with a rum in one hand a cigarette in the other, cheering Craig on and being proud that such a deserving guy was handed this award.
The Prestige Awards weren’t just all about this one award. Several others were handed out to many deserving and hard working Nova Scotians, many of whom I admire greatly. Kudos to all who were recognized.
There are some amazing videos that Taste of Nova Scotia produced which profile all the winners - so please make sure to check them out. (Admittedly, I am a wee bit biased as my husband, Doug, did all the videos!)
2012 Prestige Award Winners
Essence Of Nova Scotia Restaurant of the Year: Trellis Cafe (Hubbards)
Chef Inspired Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Le Caveau (Grand Pre)
Chef Inspired Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Wild Caraway (Advocate Harbour)
Innovative Product of the Year: Ironworks Pear Eau De Vie (Lunenburg)
Producer of the Year: Fox Hill Cheese House (Port Williams)
Server of the Year: Andrea Davidson of Fleur De Sel (Lunenburg)
Consumers Choice Product of the Year: Eel Lake Oysters (Ste. Anne Du Ruisseau)
Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year: Craig Flinn of Chives Canadian Bistro (Halifax)
All of these folks are playing an important role in our thriving culinary scene in Nova Scotia.
BIG congrats to all the winners!