Saltscapes' food editor wins first-ever Culinary Ambassador of the Year award.

The Taste of Nova Scotia Prestige Awards were handed out last week during the Annual Tourism Summit in Halifax. (Taste of Nova Scotia is a province-wide marketing program, whose members have met and are committed to maintaining the program's quality standards for food, service and hospitality.)

We are pleased to say that Saltscapes' food editor, Alain Bossé (aka the Kilted Chef), won the inaugural Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year award — much to his own surprise. "I was just sitting there, recalling memories of Gary as they spoke about him, when all of a sudden my picture appeared on the screen," says Alain. "It was me, as a boy, with a lobster in my hand, when I was six or seven years old. Everybody got up and cheered. I was in tears! It was pretty special."

Al says he's passionate about Atlantic Canadian foods, and that his role is "all about spreading the gospel about the wonderful products we have here in Atlantic Canada." Amen.

Here is the full list of winners, from more than 900 nominations:

Innovative Product of the Year
Lavender Syrup, Sledding Hill, Bear River

Restaurant of the Year — Chef Inspired Fine Dining
Fleur de Sel, Lunenburg

Restaurant of the Year — Chef Inspired Casual Dining
Charlotte Lane Café, Shelburne

Restaurant of the Year — Essence of Nova Scotia
The Red Shoe Pub, Mabou

Producer of the Year
Meadowbrook Meat Market, Berwick

Server of the Year
Simone Mombourquette, Trattoria della Nonna, Lunenburg

Consumer Choice Product of the Year
Pumpkin Muffins, Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet, Mahone Bay

Gary MacDonald Culinary Ambassador of the Year
Chef Alain Bossé, Alain Bossé Consulting