Written by Rosemary Mantini | 24 February 2011
Posted in KitchenMama

The Dairy Farmers of Canada spent last Friday and Saturday immersed in cheese. They were judging the seventh Canadian Cheese Grand Prix. They sniffed, tasted and ultimately evaluated 203 of the best cheese this country makes. What a great job that would be, don't you think? After two days (and palate fatigue, no doubt) they arrived at 51 finalists in 18 categories. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until April 20 to hear who has been awarded Champion of each category and, ultimately, Grand Champion.

Competitions like this one are a great way to draw attention to the superior products Canadians produce. The judges were: Phil Bélanger, Jury Chairman; Gurth M. Pretty, Chef and author; Allison Spurrell, Owner of the cheese boutique Les Amis du Fromage and the cheese-inspired restaurant Au Petit Chavignol in Vancouver; Antoine Sicotte, artist, television host, photographer, musician and self-taught cook; Ian Picard, Vice-President of La Fromagerie Hamel in Montreal; Rita Demontis, writer, Lifestyle and Food editor, and National Food Editor; Michael Howell, Chef, cookbook author, leader of Slow Food Nova Scotia, owner of Tempest Restaurant in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 21 February 2011
Posted in KitchenMama

It's easy to be cynical (at least, it's easy for me) about the commitment that corporations may feel toward the communities to which they sell their products. In an ideal world, companies big and small would care for their establishments, their employees and their communities to the best of their ability. Imagine, if you will, a company as wealthy as Wal-Mart sourcing its products from local manufacturers, selling its wares out of environmentally-friendly buildings (maybe those with green roofs!). Not practical, you say? Sure, Wal-Mart (and others like it) serve a purpose. Whether it's cheap prices or greater selection, national and international corporations can offer the consumer something that smaller, community-based companies can't always do.

But, why not set a higher expectation regardless?

Have you heard about how the little boutique-style stores tend to close up shop when a big multi-national moves into town? Coincidence? Go ahead, argue that it's all about competition. If the little mom-and-pops aren't serving the needs of their clientèle as well as the new kid taking up the block, then good riddance. True — in a unidimensional kind of way. Serving the locals' needs is only one part of it. How about serving the planet's needs, too? And in so doing, serving ourselves better stuff. Ok, not everything that these huge mega-companies do is bad. McDonalds does still promote from within. Eat a burger and dream of being the boss. No reason why it shouldn't happen. Oh, but then there are those sticky issues, like the fact that finding fair trade, organic or even original products within the walls of these heavyweights can be pretty tricky. It can't all be about the bottom line, right? Well, sometimes it's not.

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 14 February 2011
Posted in KitchenMama

I know you love food like I do. Why else would you check in to Tidings online if you weren't interested in all things food and wine related? I'm also guessing that, like me, you enjoy at least a few great meals during a typical week. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as we are. Take school-aged kids, for instance. The Breakfast Clubs of Canada has released new stats indicating that 1-in-10 Canadian children go to school on an empty stomach every day. To that end, Breakfast Clubs of Canada is hitting the road on an eight-city cross-country tour to raise funds and awareness for school breakfast programs.

Called The Taste for Learning Tour, the Breakfast Clubs hope to raise $2.5 million dollars. They use the money to provide funding, equipment, food donations, management tools and support to school breakfast programs throughout Canada. They're hoping that with part of the money raised from this year's fundraiser, they can add 400 more programs in urban and First Nations communities.

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 18 January 2011
Posted in KitchenMama

Have you always wanted to go to Prince Edward Island, but circumstances have so far conspired against you? That's been my excuse. I haven't yet travelled east of Quebec; although I keep making it a New Year's resolution. Well, the Culinary Alliance of Prince Edward Island has teamed with Chef Michael Smith to bring you a web series that highlights PEI’s People, Places and Foods called, Food Country. The ongoing weekly series features Chef Michael Smith’s food adventures as he sources ingredients throughout the province then returns to his kitchen to cook and create the simple flavourful dishes he’s known for. “Food Country is an online showcase of Prince Edward Island’s flavours, people and stories,” says Chef Michael Smith. “We’re showing the world what a special food destination we are, how food is woven into the tapestry of our culture and why we’re worth a special visit.”