ITMP 2030 Dashboard

June 2026

Work has advanced on the proposed visitor-focused cookery school with the completion of two feasibility study deliverables: a Preliminary Landscape Assessment and a Stakeholder Engagement Report, both completed in June 2026.

The Preliminary Landscape Assessment reviewed existing culinary tourism experiences in Halifax and Nova Scotia, including cooking schools, food tours, farmers’ markets, and culinary education facilities. This work helped clarify how a Halifax-based cookery school could be positioned within the current visitor economy.

The Stakeholder Engagement Report summarized input from culinary, tourism, education, and business-sector representatives. Stakeholders were generally supportive of the concept and saw potential for a visitor-focused cookery school to strengthen the culinary tourism offering in the municipality.

Early findings suggest the opportunity is strongest if the concept is developed as a distinctive Halifax and Nova Scotia experience rather than a generic cooking school. Key themes include:

• Hands-on participation;
• Chef-led demonstrations;
• Mi’kmaq, Acadian, and African Nova Scotian food stories;
• Local seafood; and
• Strong connections to local producers and tourism partners.

The reports also identify practical considerations for the next phase, including location, operating model, seasonality, financial sustainability, industry participation, and the need for strong leadership.

The next step is to use these findings to refine a potential operating model, assess location and partnership options, and determine whether the concept can move toward a more detailed business case.

March 2026

The initiative focuses on developing a visitor-focused cookery school in the Halifax Regional Municipality that celebrates Atlantic Canadian cuisine, and serves as both a signature tourism experience and an economic driver.

Intended as an immersive, hands-on culinary offering, the cookery school would provide a range of programming tailored primarily to visitors, from short introductory classes to more in-depth workshops.

Rooted in the food traditions of our region - including seafood, Acadian influences, and Mi’kmaq foodways - the experience is intended to deepen visitor engagement, extend length of stay, encourage repeat visitation, and further position Halifax as a leading culinary destination.

To advance this opportunity, Discover Halifax has established a partnership with the Culinary Tourism Alliance and Taste of Nova Scotia to undertake a benchmarking and operating model study.

This work represents a critical step in moving from concept to implementation by grounding the initiative in industry best practices and local insight. The study will assess comparable models, explore potential operating and facility approaches, and engage key stakeholders across the sector.

It will provide the evidence needed to guide decision-making, reduce risk, and position the cookery school concept for future investment and long-term success.