Tasted TV

Tag: Tasted here

  • Nova Scotia’s Got Its Own Fish and Brews — And It’s a Whole Lot Tastier

    Nova Scotia’s Got Its Own Fish and Brews — And It’s a Whole Lot Tastier

    Let’s give Newfoundland its due. Fish and brewis — salt cod, soaked hard tack, pork scrunchions — is a true east coast classic. But over here in Nova Scotia, we’ve taken that humble idea and given it a butter-drenched, beer-paired upgrade. Because why soak old bread when you can crack open a lobster claw and a cold Propeller?

    This is fish and brews — Nova Scotia style.

    First, the lobster. Sweet, salty, caught that morning. It doesn’t take much to find it — local joints have it boiled, grilled, rolled, or butter-poached, no GPS required. But the truly lucky? They end up eating it on a dock, salt air in their lungs, butter dripping from their knuckles, or at some glorious house party where someone’s cousin knows how to host a proper backyard boil.

    Second, the “brews.” And that’s where Propeller Beer comes in.

    This Halifax original has been pouring pints since the ’90s — long before craft beer became something you swirled and sniffed. Their Pilsner is crisp, clean, made for seafood. It cuts through the richness of lobster like it was brewed for it (because it basically was). Prefer something bolder? Grab their ESB or IPA, loaded with character and just enough bite to stand up to grilled tails or garlic butter anything.

    And the best part? You don’t have to hunt it down. Propeller has Tap Rooms and Beer Shops right in Halifax — welcoming, laid-back spots where you can sip, stock up, and maybe grab a T-shirt that proves you know what’s good. Whether you’re pre-gaming a lobster dinner or just popping in off the sidewalk, it’s an easy (and tasty) way to plug into Nova Scotia’s craft culture.

    This isn’t fine dining. This is finer. Casual, coastal, loud with laughter, maybe eaten off a paper plate. The kind of pairing that makes you slow down — not because it’s fancy, but because it’s real.

    So yeah, Newfoundland’s fish and brewis walks so Nova Scotia’s lobster and Propeller could run.

    And honestly? We’ll take ours dockside, beer in hand, friends all around, and a second helping already on the way.

  • A Young Couple, Their Life Savings, and a Dream: The Chapman’s Ice Cream Story

    A Young Couple, Their Life Savings, and a Dream: The Chapman’s Ice Cream Story

    A young couple. Their life savings. And a dream that would become a Canadian treasure. They were David and Penny Chapman — and yes, you’ve heard that name. But behind the familiar brand is a story of grit, heartbreak, and an unbreakable bond with community that still brings tears to Penny’s eyes.

    In 1973, David and Penny bought a small creamery in Markdale, Ontario. It wasn’t glamorous. The building was old, the equipment outdated, and the road ahead uncertain. But they had something stronger than capital — determination, love for family, and a vision to create ice cream that made people smile. Their hands built the business from scratch, working long hours through every season, crafting flavours like Butterscotch Ripple and Dutch Chocolate that soon became favourites in homes across Canada.

    The community embraced them—not just as customers, but as neighbours, friends, and partners. When business was tough, local farmers, suppliers, and families stepped in. They believed in the Chapmans’ dream as if it was their own.

    Then, on a quiet September day in 2009, disaster struck. A welding spark ignited the aging insulation of the century-old plant. Flames tore through years of work, memories, and sweat. Penny still gets choked up remembering that day—the fire that seemed to swallow everything they’d built. The sky darkened with smoke, and the roar of the blaze echoed in the hearts of a small town watching their dream burn.

    But even as the fire raged, David and Penny made a promise: no employee would lose their job, no family would lose hope. In the ashes, the Chapmans’ spirit shone brightest.

    The community rallied in return. Other ice cream makers opened their doors, suppliers sent resources, and volunteers showed up ready to rebuild. Seven weeks later, against every odd, Chapman’s was producing ice cream again—out of a temporary plant, fueled by sheer will and generosity.

    They named their comeback Project Phoenix — rising from the ashes stronger than ever. A new plant was built, modern and safe, with allergy-free lines and sustainable systems. But the heart of Chapman’s was never the building; it was the people who refused to give up.

    Years later, that spirit took them across the ocean to Florence, Italy—home of gelato. At the International Ice Cream Consortium, Chapman’s faced off against the world’s best, including Italian gelato masters. Against all odds, their Salty Caramel Crunch took home the gold, earning international acclaim and proving that a small-town Canadian dream could stand toe-to-toe with the best on earth.

    That victory is sweet. But what’s sweeter still is the journey—the resilience, the promise kept to employees, the hands held when everything seemed lost. It’s the story of David and Penny, yes, but also of every neighbour, every worker, every fan who believed in a dream and helped it rise again.

    Chapman’s Ice Cream is more than a brand—it’s a testament to heart, community, and the power of never giving up. And every scoop tells that story.

    Chapman’s isn’t just an ice cream brand — it’s a Canadian story of determination, the power of community, and how one couple’s dream can ripple out and inspire an entire town, a province, and a nation. Every scoop is a celebration of resilience, love, and the sweet taste of hope realized.

  • Fall for the South Okanagan

    Fall for the South Okanagan

    If you’re craving something that feels like a world away but is only a short flight from Vancouver or Calgary, the South Okanagan is your autumn escape. Direct flights land you in Penticton; no long drives, no layovers, just you, your carry-on, and a region that knows how to seduce every one of your senses.

    British Columbia shines brightly here.

    This is not the Okanagan of brochures. This is terroir with attitude — where the food has a story, the wines have personalities, and your bed for the night might be a luxury yurt nestled into a mountainside vineyard.

    A Place of Contrasts and Cultures

    Diversity runs deep here. Sit lakeside at Elma in Penticton, where Turkish cuisine meets Okanagan ingredients — a warm, stylish space where wood-fired lamb kebabs and sumac-laced cocktails bring the Aegean coast to British Columbia.

    Then head south to Kismet Estate Winery, where Simran Saini, one of the few female Indian winemakers in the country, crafts elegant wines rooted in both her family’s Indian heritage and the boldness of the desert terroir. Their Mystique blend, paired with butter chicken at the on-site Masala Bistro, is the kind of East-meets-West perfection you don’t forget.

    From Polished to Playful: Two Sides of Okanagan Wine

    Wineries here don’t just pour – they perform. At Poplar Grove, it’s all sleek lines, sweeping lake views, and wines that feel like tailored suits. Their cab franc whispers complexity. The on-site restaurant? Refined, seasonal, and plated like art.

    Then there’s Dirty Laundry in Summerland; cheeky, irreverent, and joyfully uncorked. Named after a former bordello and laundry operation, the winery leans hard into playfulness. Picture wine flights with names like “Peep Show Pinot” and labels that flirt with you. The tasting patio hums with live music, laughter, and a vintage train chugging past on cue. It’s wine country without the pretense.

    Where to Stay and Wander

    For something effortlessly chic in the heart of it all, check into Balcomo by Ramada. This newly renovated Penticton hotel blends sleek, modern rooms with thoughtful details and a walkable location close to the lake, breweries, and downtown tasting rooms. It’s the perfect home base whether you’re hitting wine country or just taking it slow.

    Prefer old-world charm? The Naramata Inn delivers historic character, lush bedding, and a killer local wine bar. And for groups, boutique vineyard villas across Summerland and Okanagan Falls offer space, seclusion, and full kitchens stocked with local provisions.

    Sleep in a Vineyard, Under the Stars

    And if you want something truly unforgettable? Book one of only two luxury yurts at Nighthawk Vineyards in Okanagan Falls. This family-run gem is perched above Green Lake, where small-batch, handcrafted wines are poured with pride. The yurts are secluded, open-air sanctuaries … complete with outdoor soaker tubs, rain showers, and private fire pits. Sip your sparkling rosé as the sun melts over the hills, coyotes howl in the distance, and you remember what quiet feels like..

    Fall is the Secret Season

    The crowds are gone, but the magic is just getting started. The vines turn gold. The air smells like earth and apples. Harvest dinners pop up in orchards. And everywhere you go, someone wants to pour you something beautiful and tell you how they made it.

    Whatever you’re craving this fall… spice, sparkle, silence, or a little bit of scandal; you’ll find it in the South Okanagan. All you have to do is get here.