The art of the meal

Festival Route 11, the Prince County trad-folk festival, is pivoting to a new dining format for its fifth anniversary: a roaming cinq à sept featuring multiple Island chefs each day. Known for its programming of trad-folk heavy-hitters and inspiring art installations, the festival has also been celebrated for the culinary creations served up to festival-goers. This new format was born of the social nature and family-reunion vibes attendees have always loved about this event.

Long-time festival partner Chef Alex Clark returns, bringing his years of culinary experience and a penchant for fun, local food. The owner of Evermoore Brewing Company, Clark also created the Route 11 Pale Ale in 2024, which will be on tap all weekend. His station will offer festival-goers a PEI plate of seafood and french fries, with Belgian-inspired moules-frites. 

Charlottetown Farmer’s Market regulars will see two familiar faces: Chefs Sarah Forrester and Phil Vanderwood. Forrester, formerly the chef-owner of My Plum, My Duck, now offers catering and special orders as Macro-Mom: nourishing, plant-based, macrobiotic-inspired cuisine. She will offer a selection of crudités with homemade aioli and salads, with produce from Soleil’s Farm. Vanderwood, the owner-operator of Smooth Sailing Smoothies, will be the weekend’s grill-master. His skewer menu includes Negimaki Beef and Portobello, and Citrus-Whiskey Brined Pork Loin. 

Chef Valéry Ladrezeau brings authentic French-Caribbean flavours to Route 11. He’ll be whipping up bokits, a Guadeloupean street-food staple, and his Datcha Bowls, named for his food establishment at the Founders’ Food Hall and Market.

Finishing off the festival’s culinary journey are Chefs Glenna Lohnes and Débora Moura. Lohnes owns and operates Waffles ‘n’ Things at the Summerside Farmers Market. She’ll be making her signature waffles, with a variety of homemade and local-produce toppings. Moura’s cooking ethos mirrors the Festival’s: stirring emotions, creating surprises, and telling stories (through flavours). 

Concert passes with meals are on sale now. Visit festivalroute11.com for full programming details and to access the box office.