This has been a banner time for awards! Faith Drinnan, our defacto circulation director at the Oyster Group, received a Women of Excellence award on November 16 at the World Trade and Convention Centre, in Halifax. The annual event is organized by the Canadian Progress Club as a fundraiser primarily for Phoenix Youth Programs (Phoenix is a non-profit organization that provides shelter and resources for homeless and at-risk youth). More than 600 people were at the $150/plate dinner to celebrate extraordinary women nominated in six business sectors. "In the 22 years we've been doing this we've raised close to $1 million," says event co-chair, Jacqueline Gallagher.

There were seven categories and three winners in all but one category; Faith shared the stage in the communications and public affairs sector with Jill Murray, of Advocate Printing, and Sara Napier, IWK Health Centre.

Candidates were judged on contributions to their profession and their community, and personal accomplishments.

"What's especially thrilling is that we have connections with all these women," says Linda Gourlay, Saltscapes co-publisher. "The Advocate prints our magazines, and one - Living Healthy in Atlantic Canada - is in partnership with the IWK Health Centre as well as the QEII Foundation.

"We are surrounded by awesome women!"

In other news, the winners of Cuisine Canada and the University of Guelph's Canadian Culinary Book Awards were announced November 7 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Chefs Jeff McCourt, Allan Williams, and Austin Clement, of PEI's Culinary Institute of Canada, won gold in the category of Best Canadian Cultural Cookbook for their Flavours of PEI - A Culinary Journey. And, of course, our own Marie Nightingale, author of the immensely popular Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens was on hand to get her Canadian Culinary Landmarks Hall of Fame Award.

Congratulations, all!