Food News
The tastiest ways to celebrate Food Day Canada
The 2017 Food Day Canada preview feast at River Café, Calgary | Image: Genevieve Renee
Food News
The tastiest ways to celebrate Food Day Canada
Celebrate our country’s delicious culinary history and your love for Canadian cuisine on Food Day Canada this Saturday, August 4, 2018.
It's no surprise we're huge fans of homemade meals using the freshest Canadian ingredients—grown and raised by local farmers, caught by local fishermen, prepared by local chefs. So celebrating the bounty this country has to offer is right up our alley.
Fifteen years ago, on the Saturday of the Civic holiday long weekend in August, the Canadian beef industry was in crisis mode—a black Angus cow from Northern Alberta tested positive for “mad cow disease,” causing a few dozen countries to close their borders to Canadian beef and cattle. It could’ve been catastrophic for the industry, but Canucks did what we do best—we rallied, fired up our barbecues and grilled 100% Canadian beef, from burgers to filet mignon. What was dubbed the World’s Longest Barbecue evolved into Food Day Canada, and it’s celebrating its 15th anniversary this weekend.
Foreign Concept Chef/Owner Duncan Ly at River Cafe's Food Day Canada preview feast (on right). | Images: Genevieve Renee
Since inception, Food Day Canada's message has been as short and sweet as a spoonful of Plum Berry Grunt: cook and eat local food, then share your experience.
While there will be celebrations across the country to mark the day (if you’re in Toronto, Ont., the CN Tower will be lit in honour of this special anniversary), there’s lots you can do in your kitchen and on your grill to fete the event with friends and family.
Pilgrimme Chef/Owner Jesse McCleery foraging for reindeer lichen. | Image courtesy of Food Day Canada
SHOP LOCAL
Head out to your neighbourhood farmers’ market and fill up your basket with everything fresh and in season. (Or shop your grocery store’s Made in Canada products). Depending on where you live, take your pick from juicy fruit (cherries, blueberries, peaches, plums and more) and crisp veggies (think broccoli, carrots, corn, sweet potatoes, herbs and tomatoes). If your favourite recipes call for produce that’s not grown locally, swap them out with what you find at the market. (Tip: Talk to the farmers. They can offer advice on how to eat their crops, and maybe even help you forage some safe, homegrown produce yourself!)
COOK LOCAL
Not sure what to put on your Food Canada Day menu? We have you covered with our favourite recipes from our home and native land:
- Start with Squash Waffles with Candied Bacon
- Or try a Sausage and Potato Omelette—don’t forget to use PEI spuds.
- Then do lunch like a Maritimer. East Coast Donairs are made with spiced meat and garlic sauce. Hold the lettuce, if you’re going for an authentic experience.
- Light your grill and throw on Maple-Glazed Salmon, using West Coast salmon and Quebec maple syrup, obviously.
- When you need a little something sweet after dinner, our Best Maple Butter Tarts are a go-to classic (we tried pecans and chocolate instead of raisins)
- You also can’t go wrong with Nanaimo Bars, which are best served room temperature.
EAT LOCAL
Not keen to cook on the long weekend? No prob. Visit a Canadian restaurant with chefs that pride themselves on using local ingredients and care about preserving our nation’s diverse culinary heritage. You can find participating restaurants from coast to coast on Food Day Canada’s website. Oh, and if you’re near a Beavertails (yes, the 40-year-old deep-fried pastry that’s truly a Canadian institution), you know what to do.
Join in on the Food Day Canada festivities, or follow along, by using #CanadaISfood and #FoodDayCanada on Instagram and Twitter!
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