projects + events

Combining my passion for film & TV with my education in Cinema Studies and my love of writing, I decided to launch a new blog/newsletter in February 2024.

The result was watch this: feel that, a Substack newsletter that shares film & TV recommendations for the mood you're in, or how you want to feel, as well as interviews with film & TV industry professionals.

Inspired by Jasper Diamond Nathaniel and his Creativity Nights in Brooklyn, NY, I decided in October 2022 to start hosting a satellite event of sorts in Ottawa. Once a month for a year, participants wrote, drew, painted, and created based on 4 prompts I shared throughout each evening. Guests enjoyed excellent cocktails and hospitality from the team at Ward 14 Consignment Bar, who were fantastic partners in this creative project.

A brief yet enjoyable beginner’s foray into the world of podcasting, The After the Harvest Podcast featured food and drink experts and entrepreneurs. I had the privilege of interviewing the following guests from 2015 to 2017: Mandi Lunan, food entrepreneur; Josh McJannett, Dominion City Brewing Co.; Chef Ned Bell; Joel & Dana from Well Preserved; Chef Chris Hamburger; Sarah Fortunato, chocolatier and pastry chef; and Chef Brad Long.

Held on May 30th, 2015 at the former food co-op and grocery space The West End Well in Ottawa, A Taste of Spring was a vegetarian-themed food and wine event I co-created with Chef Sam Robertson and Nate Shields. After choosing 5 Ontario wines to feature, I then collaborated with Sam and his team on a small plates menu highlighting local, seasonal vegetables. Playfully described as “wine pairing for normal people” by a guest who attended, the event shared my fun and friendly wine descriptors and celebrated community, local food, and great wine. The team at The West End Well was an amazing group of people to work with — a creative and collaborative team dedicated to local gastronomy and environmental sustainability.

Photos by: Maija Liisa Photography. Group photo, L to R: Nate Shields, Charlene, Sam Robertson, me, Greg, Ken.

After the Harvest: Eat. Drink. Connect. is a coffee table book that combines original photos, fiction, travel writing, recipes, wine pairings, and entertaining tips. Self-published, this passion project was inspired by my travels, the people I've had the good fortune to eat and drink with, and my family's dining experiences. I hope you enjoy this book from my heart to your coffee table. 

Photo by Jen Baguss.

Kitchissippi Times, May 27, 2015: Heather Heagney brings a 'Taste of Spring' to Hintonburg

Apt 613, July 2013: Write On Ottawa: New coffee table book celebrates the magic of the dinner table and travel

Kitchissippi Times, June 2013: Forging deep connections bite by bite through After the Harvest

Good Food Revolution, September 2011: Cultivate: A Mini Film Fest in Ottawa

Inspired by a short film I discovered with the same name as my then food blog After the Harvest, Cultivate: A Mini Film Fest was held at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa on September 24, 2011. Generously sponsored by local businesses and entrepreneurs in my network, this “mini” film fest screened two short films. The first, After the Harvest, shared stories about the plight of South American coffee growers and their struggle to feed their families; the second, Ingredients, highlighted the need for support of local farmers. $670 was raised in support of Heifer International, and awareness was raised about food security. It was my pleasure to host this philanthropic mini film fest in support of Heifer International. I was grateful for all who attended and for friends and family who helped make it happen! Many thanks to the generous sponsors who contributed to this event.

Poster art: Jon Marro, Photos by Geoff Clyne.

In 2009, I started a blog called After the Harvest. I took my lifelong passion for food, combined it with my love of writing, and started blogging. These were the early days of blogging, where posts were more like journal entries. Inviting readers to pull up a chair at my online table, I created food and drink-related content with a focus on local, sustainable ingredients and a spotlight on the people behind the food.

Over the years, my posts evolved to include food and wine pairings, feature articles, book and film reviews, recipes, travelogs, and more. I even dipped a toe into sponsored content near the end. The work I did on this blog made me a better writer, photographer, and interviewer. It helped me to develop my knowledge of sustainable farming, unique culinary ingredients, and the world of wine.

Although After the Harvest was never a business, it was certainly a brand. I chose the name After the Harvest to evoke the warm feeling that comes when you gather with loved ones to eat, drink, and connect. Thus, the tagline was born: “Eat. Drink. Connect.”, which later inspired the coffee table book of the same name. The logo image, a scan of a painting by my sister Wendy Heagney-Bakewell, was the perfect representation of my vision for the blog and how I wanted readers to feel.

After the Harvest was originally created with Blogger before I moved it to Squarespace in 2016.