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My Perfect PEI Day - Chef Michael Smith

Chef Michael Smith Fortune, PEI

Host of Chef at Home and Chef at Large on Food Network Canada, and The Inn Chef on Prime, chef Michael Smith can be seen on TV in more than 25 countries. He is an award-winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, roving Canadian cuisine ambassador, restaurant chef and home cook. But Smith says his favourite role by far is Dad, at home on PEI with his partner Rachel and their son Gabriel. More on Michael, www.chefmichael.tv

I would start my day with breakfast at the Saturday or Wednesday Charlottetown Farmers’ Market with one of Kim Dormaar’s smoked salmon bagels in one hand and a carrot juice in the other. Next, a morning walk through the flavourful rows of a local u-pick strawberry patch. The rest of the morning would be spent with my family hiking on any one of the Island’s amazing white sand beaches hunting for beach treasure. For lunch, I take my appetite to The Culinary Institute of Canada to dine in their student-run dining room; incredible value and a world-class meal. Next, a stroll with Johnny Flynn in Souris through his famous Colville Bay oyster beds, opening a few as we go. Just for fun we take a quick ride on my son Gabe’s favourite miniature railroad at the Elmira Railroad Museum, winding through the woods on the rails then checking out the huge island-shaped model railroad diorama. I enioy exploring the nooks and crannies of any of the working fishing ports around the province. My favourite is at North Lake where you just might see a boat landing a giant Bluefin tuna and the wharf has a great observation tower for viewing the action!

A stop by the Island’s only winery is a must to sample some of Rossignol Estate Winery’s award-winning fruit wines and to talk terroir with John Rossignol, the passionate winemaker. I would complete my perfect day with family and friends at dinner in one of the famous lobster supper houses that dot the Island, an authentic Island way to enjoy our favourite crustacean!

What’s the cost?

Breakfast at Farmers Market $6.55

Picking strawberries $3.00

Treasure hunting at the beach free!

Lunch at The Culinary Institute $8.50

Ride on the miniature railroad $10.95

Touring North Lake Harbour free!

Sampling at Rossignol Estates $6.00

Dinner at lobster supper $27.95

Total for Michael’s day $62.95