50 Best FAQ

How come the 50 Best list only covers Halifax, Annapolis Valley, and South Shore?

It’s an issue of resources. We only have adequate resources, both personnel and finances, to do a good job of covering the areas that we currently cover.

How does one become a volunteer judge?

Once a year we put out a call for judges and interested volunteer diners simply email us to offer their services. We then send each of them a brief survey to determine whether a volunteer is suitable and recruit those who are.

What are you looking for in a volunteer judge?

Objectivity, experience, and tastes that are in line with what Curated Food & Drink Magazine stands for.

Do you pay for judges to eat at local dining destinations?

No, we do not. All judges choose their own dining destinations and pay their own way.

Do you rate dining destinations based on set criteria?

No, we do not. We instead rate dining destinations based on the expectation of a destination’s dining category. As an example, we will rate a pizzeria based on what one would expect from a pizzeria (versus a fine dining restaurant). We DO consider food, service, cleanliness, etc, but always in the context of a given category.

Do you include ALL types of dining destinations in your annual rating process?

Yes, but the key word is “dining”. What we’re looking for are destinations where you can go and sit down for a meal. If it’s a take-out joint, kiosk or food truck, there needs to be a significant amount of available seating. For cafes and dessert destinations, we are looking for a significant food offering.