“From Arctic game to west
coast sushi to French
Canadian delicacies, there is
no shoe boxing Canadian
food.”
What Defines A Canadian?
-SOS Cuisine
Weekly Newsletter
What do ketchup chips, Nanaimo bars,
Beavertails and butter tarts all have in common?
They are all parts of Canada’s unique cuisine.
Growing up in Canada, we assume that our favorite
flavor of chips or our favorite pastries are available
worldwide, however; this idea is false. Our country
has its own unique creations and flavorings distinct
to our sometimes frigid climate. To be considered
‘Canadian’ the
food concoction
must originate in
Canada, although
the influence does
not need to stay
within the
confines of our
country. Some of
our countries ‘delicacies’, even franchises, have
been accepted abroad. Although we may be laughed
at when explaining the word poutine, as toque
wearers and hockey watchers, we all know that our
food is as important to being a Canadian as knowing
how to survive in -40 temperatures.
The fact that I had to add the word poutine to my
computers dictionary as I wrote this only goes to
further prove the unknown cuisine of Canada.
Poutine, a combination of french fries, cheese curds
and gravy is a favorite in rinks, ski hills and
restaurants all the same. Although the exact origin
point of the food is questioned, it is agreed that the
gooey combination started in Quebec in the 1950’s.
Although we may not know exactly where it started,
poutine’s influence did not stop in the country’s
most French speaking quadrant. In the decades to
follow the dishes creation, poutine has become so
loved within the nation that it is even debated to be
Canada’s national dish. The favorite treat has also
inspired countless variations. Some of the poutine
inspired dishes include ingredients such as bacon,
foie gras and even doughnuts. Although the tasty
treat is served internationally, it is not very wide
spread and is sometimes served under other names.
The knowledge of poutine is not substantial to many
foreign to our nation, but that does not mean they do
not fall in love with the dish once experiencing it.
One American
taste tester
featured on the
popular
website Buzz
Feed declared
that poutine
tasted like
decadence and
sin. I believe
many would
argue with this and declare the dish heavenly.
Poutine is largely loved by Canadians, and slowly
the world. It is a staple at sporting events and is
debated to be our countries favorite dish; it is a key
factor to being Canadian.
Similar to the rest of the world, Canadians enjoy
their junk food; however some of our favorite treats
can’t be easily found outside the borders of our
country. Canada has its own set of chocolates and
chip flavors, as well as popular baking and deep
fried pastries. One item of our cuisine that many are
surprised does not exist outside of our nation is
Smarties. Almost every Canadian can quote the
phrase “Do you eat the red ones last?” without
realizing that this box of chocolate is predominately
found in Canada. Although we can find similar
candies such as M&Ms outside our borders, one is
unable to find Smarties readily available in gas
stations in our
southern
neighbor, The
United States.
Also not
available in
foreign
countries:
Coffee Crisp
bars, All Dressed chips, and Ketchup chips. Along
with packaged treats, the Canucks also appreciate
baking and pastries. A pastry that is not known by
all Canadians, but loved by those who have tasted it,
is Beavertails. Named after the countries national
animal, the beaver, the snack is truly Canadian and
truly amazing. Beavertails, which is also the name
of the successful business, was created in 1978 by
Grant Hooker, a resident of Ontario. The treat
consists of deep fried dough covered in cinnamon
and sugar with toppings of one’s choice. Variations
such as apple pie, or hazelnut spread are favorites,
and one is even able to pick their own toppings for
the tasty morsel! The treat is only served from its
own stores, and has locations across the country and
even one internationally located in Korea. Another
piece of dessert loved by Canadians, originating on
the west coast is the Nanaimo bar. Although the
exact origins of the bar unknown, it is believed to
have originated in the city of Nanaimo in British
Columbia. The no bake dessert is popular in
kitchens across the country, and was even voted
“Canada’s Favorite Confectionary” by a survey
done by the National Post. Canada has its own set of
sweets and treats loved by the nation which can be
difficult to find outside the countries confines.
Along with the extensive amount of food that exist
only in Canada, our nation also has its own set of
franchises. From burgers, to fried chicken to coffee
and doughnuts, the northern inhabitants of North
America have found replacements for foreign food
chains such as McDonalds and Kentucky Fried
Chicken. Many Canadians are as faithful to coffee
franchise Tim Hortons, as the sport that its founder
played: hockey. Tim Horton opened his first
franchise in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964 and the
company has since grown to over 3,000 locations in
Canada and over 600 located in our neighbors to the
south. If asked why we love this coffee franchise,
one may not know how to respond, but a quote from
Pete Bladshaw explains it quite well “As Canadians,
we're a little bit insecure culturally, given U.S.
media and cultural domination, whether it's the CBC
-- our TV
network -hockey [or]
Olympic
victory, we
cling to our
remaining
cultural
icons. Tim's
is one of
them”. Our
nation loves this franchise so much, even giving it
the endearing term ‘Timmie’s’ that we associate it
as being a cultural icon. Another famous Canadian
franchise is Boston Pizza. Although the name is
misleading, the casual dining restaurant was
founded in Edmonton Alberta in 1964 by Gus
Agioritis. The restaurant, based in Richmond,
British Columbia, has spread across the country with
more 340 restaurants in Canada and over 40 in the
U.S. and Mexico. One of my favorite Canadian
Franchises is cold, creamy and filled with puns.
Cows is an ice cream manufacturer and series of ice
cream parlors that were founded in Prince Edward
Island. Not only has cows been named “Canada’s
Best Ice Cream”, they also sell merchandise printed
with all the cow puns that a human could possibly
think off. Equipped with a life size dairy cow
figurine residing outside most of their locations
helps get the business attention if its amazing ice
cream hasn’t already done the trick. The company is
 Misses addressing the ‘impact’ portion of the
prompt
also beginning to produce cheese alongside the ice
cream. If the cheese is as half as cheesy as the puns
dawning the merchandise, then the business venture
will surely succeed. Not only does out nation have a
distinct taste in food, we also have distinct places to
obtain that food. Canadian franchises have not only
marked the face of our nation, but are also loved
worldwide. Canadian food from a Canadian
company, what could be better?
Being Canadian is a lot of things. It’s telling your
American friends that not all of us live in igloos, and
that sadly, we can’t actually ride the polar bears. It’s
living in a climate that over the seasons can shift
over seventy degrees Celsius. The word Celsius,
another part of being Canadian. Over all its loving
where we live and loving life. And who can love life
without food? Although our unique cuisine may not
grace our tables every night, when we get the chance
we will delve into a meal consisting of poutine,
Beavertails and Cows. If you mention that you’re
having the above meal to a non-Canadian, they may
think that you are crazy, but we know it’s just crazy
delicious.
General Comments:
 Well written, well explained
 Thesis is that one aspect of Canadian identity
in defined by the food we consume.
However, the prompt asks for the writer to
discuss the impact of an event, person or
social issue on Canadian identity. Impact
implies bringing about a change, or an
insight rather than using something to define
or show an aspect of Canadian identity. This
thesis circles around the prompt.
Rubric Feedback:
Message
 Strong, clear flow to the message
 Strong use of details and descriptions to
explain the point/argument
Structure
 Clear and engaging intro and conclusion
 Paragraphs are well structured, and expertly
include many examples and details
Craft
 Strong, precise word choice
 Excellent and interesting sentences
Conventions
 Experimentation with semi-colons
 Skillful control of basic conventions and
grammar ( a couple of awkward sentences)
 Presentation is creative
 Some discrepancies with plurals and
possessives