Chef Michael Smith

One of the definite highlights of the Sommo Festival weekend was seeing the one and only Chef Michael Smith (who is based right down the road in Souris, PEI, at his 5-star resort Inn at Bay Fortune).  Long before I stumbled across the Food Network,  I was a fan of Michael Smith’s various television programs and his warm, affable demeanour.      Smith was a guest Chef back in the 2024 edition of Sommo, but was promoted to host of the Culinary stage, and on Sunday afternoon, he had his own slot on the bill and brought to life a lively game loaded with everything a good tourist could want on an Island adventure, from a classic Potato Sack outfit, down to those bright red Anne Shirley braids.  Contestants took turns engaging in some traditional maritime fare, such as providing a local weather forecast, to figuring out how to find key points on a map of the Island.  It was all in great fun, and had the packed house chuckling right along at the festivities.

Chef Michael Smith is everything one could have hoped for, and is a great choice as the Culinary Stage host, as he brings that warmth and sparkle to the proceedings.  You also have to appreciate that he came rocking a COWS t-shirt, supporting yet another iconic PEI brand.    Hopefully, we’ll see the talented host back on a Sommo stage in 2026.