Hello, and thanks for being curious about Harvest on the Harbor.
The concept was born of the notion of creating an event similar to the successful culinary tourism event Newport Mansions food and wine festival in Newport, RI. It was 2007, and Visit Portland founded and launched Harvest on the Harbor to give the area’s hospitality business community a boost during the fall. This was exactly when Portland and Maine’s restaurant and hospitality scenes started expanding and finding their sea legs.
Some of the early praise for local chefs and hoteliers that helped to establish Portland as a dining haven included being named the Foodiest Small Town in America and the Restaurant City of the Year. The long list of culinary awards includes recognitions from James Beard Foundation, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, New York Times, and others.
During all of the growth, and after multiple years of successful Harvest on the Harbor fall celebrations, the event changed hands to Gillian Britt and Stefanie Manning (S&G). Gillian is an award-winning publicist and advisor, and owner and producer of Maine Restaurant Week, Maine Lobster Week, and Eat Drink Lucky. Stefanie is co-owner of the landmark Miss Portland Diner and, before landing in Portland, was Associate Publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine at Hearst. Currently, she is responsible for consumer marketing, circulation, and creative services at Portland Press Herald and the Masthead Maine group.
As Harvest on the Harbor caretakers, the duo has stayed true to the mission of celebrating Portland and Maine’s local- and independently-owned restaurants, the crave-worthy food, craft beers and spirits, and everything else locals and travelers love.
We hope you will learn about each of this fall’s Harvest on the Harbor featured events, tastings, and classes.
Most importantly, thank You for reading and for sharing Harvest on the Harbor with some food-loving friends.
