Wild. Local. Rooted in community.

Roots, Rants & Roars
September 17th–19th, 2026
Elliston, Newfoundland & Labrador

Wild coastline.
World-class chefs.
Local flavours.

Each year on the third weekend of September, Elliston, Newfoundland, the Root Cellar Capital of the World, transforms into a vibrant celebration of Newfoundland & Labrador’s food, culture, land, and sea.

Roots, Rants & Roars showcases the best of our province, from a breathtaking coastal hike with gourmet tastings to the thrilling battle for the Cod Wars champion title. Experience a guided foraging adventure and indulge in a lavish eight-course Feast, each event highlighting our rich culinary heritage and natural beauty.

Join us for a weekend of unforgettable flavours, lively entertainment, and the warm hospitality that makes this place so special.

Meet our 2026 Host

Noah Cappe

Canadian actor and TV Host Noah Cappe is one of Food Network Canada’s most recognizable faces, bringing his signature charm and wit to shows like Wall of Bakers, Best Bite in Town, Carnival Eats, and Wall of Chefs.

Whether he’s sampling the wildest carnival creations or sparring with chefs on-screen, Noah always knows how to keep the energy high and the laughs coming!

Stories of Roots

We’ve welcomed some incredible travel writers, influencers, bloggers, and journalists over the years — each capturing the flavours, sounds, and rugged beauty of the festival in their own unique way. Here are a few of our favourite stories.

YOUTUBE - DAVEY AND SKY

"This is a must-visit food festival in Canada. Roots, Rants & Roars! Held in beautiful Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, it’s two days of incredible food, coastal adventure, and local culture. From Cod Wars, where chefs compete with creative cod dishes, to The Hike with pop-up food spots and ocean views, and The Feast, an eight-course..."

Watch here

CHCH

"Like Dorothy said, 'There's no place like home'!

We are exploring some great Canadian destinations with travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis, who is in beautiful Newfoundland."

Watch here

FOOD & BEVERAGE MAGAZINE

"Fans of Goldman can catch the star in late September at the Roots, Rants and Roars festival in Newfoundland. He'll man an outdoor kitchen on an oceanside cliff during The Hike-an event where diners walk a 2.5-kilometer trail, stopping along the way for beer and wine and to enjoy bites chefs craft from locally harvested ingredients. ..." [Page 26]

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FOOD & WINE

"Since 2009, food lovers have gathered in this Bonavista Peninsula fishing village to honor food, land, sea, and music at Roots, Rants and Roars. There are three key events: The Hike, walking the coastline while sampling local culinary creations and Newfoundland-brewed beer; The Feast, an eight-course dinner served under tents in the open air..."

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CANADA AS YOU LIKE IT

"If you’re visiting in the fall, head to Elliston for the culinary festival known as Roots, Rants, and Roars, featuring rising stars from the local and national culinary scene, along with local entertainers. Elliston’s unique natural backdrop of root cellars and craggy coastline makes for an engaging culinary experience that will connect you with the community, the land..."

DAILY MAIL TRAVEL

"The highlight of the three-day festival is The Food Hike, a three-mile walk along a craggy shore, with stop-offs at food stalls where top Canadian chefs serve up their spin on culinary traditions.

Taste: Crab rolls, clam chowder and giant potato gnocchi stuffed with salt beef.

Don't miss: Performances from local musicians."

ATLANTIC BUSINESS

"Meandering the five-kilometre loop past root cellars and brightly-painted saltbox homes with 500 new friends, I devoured chowder made with bacon and razor clams on top of charred buttermilk biscuits by Food Network Chef Duff Goldman and giant potato gnocchi stuffed with salt beef and topped with..."

SALTWIRE

"The Food Hike this past Saturday, Sept. 15, in Elliston was just one part of the annual Roots, Rants and Roars food festival, which features hundreds of foodies eagerly ready to sample the cooking of famous chefs—from Newfoundland and Labrador and abroad. The hike saw five stations throughout the road to Maberly with food like grilled sweet corn..."

WANDERLYNDS

"We were greeted at the festival grounds with a glass of champagne and a cheese board by Five Brothers Artisan Cheese, complimented by homemade pickles from The Jewish Deli.

The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Cod Wars, where renowned chefs across the island compete for the best cod dish and..."

MY FOOD INFACTUATION

"For me - someone who spends the majority of their time staring at pictures of food, taking pictures of food (yes I'm one of those), pinning recipes (like there's no tomorrow), and wasting hours browsing Munchies and the Food Network - having the opportunity to spend a weekend volunteering at the Roots, Rants & Roars Festival with the creme de la..."

FEAST - AN EDIBLE ROAD TRIP

"We learned about Roots, Rants, and Roars while we were on our historic root cellar tour last year, and it immediately topped our ‘festivals-to-go-to list.’ We’d been so charmed by the community of Elliston during our road trip, it felt unreal to be back on those familiar shores less than a year later..."

FREE CANDIE

"Elliston has quick become one of my favourite places in Newfoundland, and the Roots Rants and Roars Festival this week was the icing on the cake. Or the dressing on the cod. Or the beans on the pork belly. Whatever.

What is Roots Rants and Roars? It’s a “regional celebration of the Natural Gifts of..."

TINT OF INK

"The community of Elliston, nestled in on the northeast side of the Bonavista peninsula, played host to a world-class festival this past weekend as it welcomed some of the best chefs and musicians from across our province – and the country. This is the sixth year of the unique Roots, Rants & Roars festival..."

Wild. Local. Rooted in community.

Wild coastline. World-class chefs. Local flavours.

Each year on the third weekend of September, Elliston, Newfoundland, the Root Cellar Capital of the World, transforms into a vibrant celebration of Newfoundland & Labrador’s food, culture, land, and sea.

​

Meet our 2026 Host

Stories of Roots

Don't miss a bite!

Wild coastline.
World-class chefs.
Local flavours.