About the Taste Canada Literary Festival
The Taste Canada Literary Festival is a public celebration of Canadian-authored food writing. Through books that explore culture, heritage and community, the Festival invites audiences to discover the diverse stories and perspectives that help us understand and shape our shared Canadian identity, together.
Over three days, authors and readers will come together for conversations, readings, book signings, workshops and cultural experiences. Together, these experiences will allow authors to share their work directly with readers while deepening public appreciation for Canadian food-inspired literature and the voices behind it.
The Festival Experience
As the Literary Festival plans take shape, the event is being designed to offer a range of literary and cultural experiences that may include
- Author conversations and panel discussions
- Readings and book signings
- Writing and creative workshops
- Cultural storytelling and shared food histories
- Illustration, photography and related visual arts
- Opportunities to connect directly with Canadian authors and creators
Stay tuned as more programming details are announced.
“The proposed Taste Canada Literary Festival will address reader demand for more books by and about Canadians in the culinary category.”
Ainsley Sparkes
Director – Research & Communications
BookNet Canada“It does not just publish or award Canadian food writing, it puts Canadian authors in front of Canadian audiences, in person, year after year.”
Dana McCauley
CEO, Canadian Food Innovation Network
Food writer and best-selling cookbook author“It will build connections between Canadian authors and diverse audiences, celebrate literary excellence, and give the public a welcoming and accessible way to engage with books that illuminate Canadian life.”
Martin Kouprie
CCC, Managing Partner, Alton Mill Arts Centre“By recognizing and promoting the work of Canadian authors and their published books, we can celebrate their contributions to Canada’s food landscape and evolution.”
Michele McKenzie
Acting C.E.O., Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21“The proposed literary festival represents a natural and exciting extension of Taste Canada’s mandate to champion Canadian food writing.”
Rebecca Beausaert
Ph.D., Francis and Ruth Redelmeier Professor in Rural History, University of Guelph“Our organization supports Taste Canada and its array of programs already celebrating this unique Canadian literature.”
Fiona Lucas
Co-founder; Editor, Culinary Chronicles; Board Member Emeritus, Culinary Historians of Canada
Why Food Stories Matter
Food stories are stories of people, place and belonging.
Canadian food writing preserves memories, documents traditions, explores migration and identity, and helps us understand the diverse communities that shape our country. By bringing these stories into public spaces, the Festival creates opportunities for readers to discover new voices, reflect on shared experiences and connect across cultures.
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
The inaugural Taste Canada Literary Festival will take place at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
As a place deeply connected to stories of migration, identity, cultural exchange and belonging, Pier 21 provides a meaningful setting for conversations about how food writing preserves memory, carries traditions forward and helps shape our understanding of Canada.
Discover Taste Canada-recognized books across Canada’s literary community.
Taste Canada award-winning and shortlisted titles are featured through leading Canadian book discovery and cataloguing platforms, including 49th Shelf, BNC CataList and Bookmanager.
English 
French