ELORA – On July 30, Elora’s Longest BBQ will launch Food Day Canada, which falls on Aug. 3 this year.
It’s more than gastronomical wizardry and excellence.
“It’s about fostering community, supporting local businesses and celebrating our vibrant food culture,” said Food Day Canada board director Jeff Stewart.
“Last year we were planning for 500 and hoping for 700 people. We had over 3,000,” Stewart said.
“This year we are expecting over 10,000.
“Good Canadian food isn’t meant to be just for a place of privilege. It’s meant to be a place for the community.”
Stewart is the son of the late Anita Stewart, food historian, culinary journalist, cookbook author, food advocate, University of Guelph food laureate, member of the Order of Canada and long-time resident of Elora.
Anita launched the “World’s Longest Barbecue” 21 years ago in response to a national crisis – bovine spongiform encephalopathy or “mad cow disease” – that devastated beef farmers in Canada.
“It evolved into what we now know as Food Day Canada,” Stewart said.
Last spring, Bill S227, An Act to Establish a Food Day in Canada, which was sponsored in the House of Commons by Perth-Wellington MP John Nater, received Royal Assent in time for the 20th anniversary of Anita’s first barbecue.
Senator Rob Black, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said, “Anita was a wonderful individual. She always kept Canada and Canadians close to her heart and in all she did.
“It’s sad that she couldn’t be there to witness it.”
The day is meant to recognize and celebrate everything from farms to the consuming public and all things in between, Black said, including “farmers, truckers, processors, restaurants, researchers and chefs.”
Set on the Saturday before the first Monday in August, this year Food Day Canada falls on Aug. 3.
Many provinces celebrate by lighting up landmarks, bridges and other iconic infrastructures in red and white, Black noted.
“Anita would want everyone to enjoy it, in a restaurant or your backyard,” he said.
“It’s not just those who can go to restaurants and pay for high-ticket items.”
Canada is food
This year the barbecue has expanded to include Elora’s Jack R. MacDonald Bridge and West Mill Street.
The event features local food and beverages, entertainment, and local chefs and cooks from Elora and Fergus.
Anita’s vision was to engage and inspire Canadians to “shop, cook and dine Canadian,” Stewart said.
“She wanted to bring national awareness to the importance of food in our health, culture and our environment.”
Anita, who died in 2020, shared her passion for Canadian food security with her children. Three of her four sons are now chefs and are board directors at Food Day Canada.
“My mom believed every day should be Food Day Canada,” Stewart said. “Her mantra was ‘Canada is food, and the world is richer for it.’”
Stewart has early memories of going with his mom from market to market talking to vendors during research for her first cookbook, The Farmers Market Cookbook.
FOOD DAY CANADA FOUNDER ANITA STEWART
“She’d ask what was in season, what was their best crop, and how did they cook it,” Stewart said.
A Red Seal chef and sommelier, he began learning how to cook from his mother and grandmother when he was six. His children in turn have learned from him and previously from Anita.
“We were pretty lucky growing up with a mom who was passionate about food and who was good at it,” Stewart said.
“But what became really interesting was travelling with her when I was a teenager and seeing amazing things Canadians were doing with food.
“I have really fond memories of dinners out in Toronto at Michael Stadtländer’s, and Jamie Kennedy’s or Susur Lee’s.”
Along with 18 local chefs, Canadian celebrity chef Michael Smith will be at the barbecue.
Smith, who is passionate about local seafood, will be presenting “Oysters on the Bridge,” and he won’t be promoting any of his several cookbooks, Stewart said.
“He just wants to be here, shuck oysters and hang out with people. But if anybody has something they want him to sign – shirt, apron, book – bring it along.”
Smith is a friend of the Stewart family.
“It’s been almost 10 years since he was here. Last time he stayed with mom and did culinary tours around Wellington,” Stewart said.
“He misses her dearly as well.”
Chef Chance Eberhardt of the Breadalbane Inn (Fergusson Room Pub and Scozia Restaurant) in Fergus is excited to be part of this year’s event.
“We are always eager to be part of anything and everything local,” said Eberhardt.
Foodies and residents peruse culinary offerings presented on the Jack R. MacDonald pedestrian bridge in downtown Elora for a “Party on the Bridge” event on Aug. 1, 2023 to celebrate the legacy of the late Anita Stewart and Food Day Canada. Photo by Jordan Snobelen
He noted Peter Egger, an owner of the Breadlablane, is a long-time advocate for promoting and cooking with local ingredients.
“We like to jump on opportunities to show what we can bring to the table regarding local farms and greeneries” and other local suppliers, Eberhardt said.
“It’ll be great to allow everyone to walk around carefree and just be able to enjoy tasting everything local.”
Eberhardt said the Breadalbane will showcase local fishery Springhills at the barbecue.
There will be a dedicated children’s area featuring interactive activities to entertain and inspire kids.
Live music will add to the event’s festive atmosphere.
A beer garden will feature craft beers from Elora Brewing Company and spirits from Elora Distilling Company.
Chef Resa Lent of Elora will bake carrot cake again this year for the event’s ribbon cutting ceremony, using Anita’s recipe.
Geoffrey Wild, chef and co-owner of The Wild Tart and The Badley in Elora, said he, chef de cuisine Paul Torrence, pastry chef Mark Collier and others are preparing for the event.
Beef sourced locally though Woodward Meats will be featured, including cuts of Denver and Delmonico steaks.
Wild said when he first moved to the area several years ago, Anita was able to provide great insight into the local food culture.
He noted they shared a passion for locally-sourced food.
On continuing with Food Day Canada, Wild said Stewart “is a great inspiration and someone we really look up to. He really drives this initiative, and has taken the mantle.”
Wild said he is excited for the opportunity to be “out of the kitchen,” noting the barbecue is a great opportunity for people to experience dining in natural daylight and watching their food be prepared.
The Elora BIA, Elora Centre for the Arts, Elora Mill Hotel and Spa, Fergus Food School, Grand River Agricultural Society, Riverfest Elora “and a whole team of engaged community supporters” are on the organizing committee, Stewart said.
Elora Mill Hotel and Spa managing partner Jocelyn Maurice said she is “excited to see the town come alive and show off amazing Canadian food and show off Elora.”
“I love it when the streets are closed. It is just joyful. There’s so much freedom. I love to see the kids out,” said Maurice.
She stressed it is important to introduce great food to kids.
“If they start eating great food, they keep eating great. We know great food contributes to people feeling good in every way. And we have to start talking about that,” she said.
“I really believe in it. I don’t think Food Day Canada should be a one-day celebration. I think we should be eating this way all the time and celebrating what is great about Canada.”
Last year, the first official Food Day Canada was celebrated across Canada. Over 3,000 people attended Elora’s Longest BBQ in August 2023. Jessica West Photography
Centre Wellington Township community development coordinator Paula Sealey said West Mill Street will be closed to vehicles by noon on July 30.
“We can’t wait to see the community come together to enjoy delicious, locally inspired dishes,” Sealey said.
“It’s events like these that highlight the unique spirit and culinary excellence of Centre Wellington.”
Food Day Canada will be providing shuttles during the event, with pick-up and drop-off locations at Grand River Raceway and the Jack R. MacDonald bridge.
Stewart said his mom “wanted to shout it from the rooftops, about how great everybody is doing, that all the boats are rising together on the tide.
“It’s not about competing; it’s just trying to encourage everybody to enjoy what we have.”
A visit to Food Day Canada’s website is an opportunity to dive into all things Canadian food.
From food security to rules and regulations on labelling, to analysis and reviews of Canadian products, Anita Stewart’s legacy – often in her own words – speak loud and clear.
“Local food is better for the planet and for keeping our producers and processors in business and reviving the sector …” Anita wrote.
“Besides, using local ingredients is a whole lot of fun.”
A Food Day Canada documentary celebrating the legacy of Anita Stewart will be premiered on July 25 from 5 to 7pm at the University of Guelph Arboretum. Admission is free.
Join in Elora’s Longest BBQ on July 30 from 4 to 9pm for a “whole lot of fun.”
For more information visit fooddaycanada.ca.
Food tickets are $6 per sample and will be available at the event, or pre-purchase by clicking here.
Sample menu teasers
Elora Brewing Company will offer: tuna tostada (EBC dry rub, marinated tuna, gucamole, gochujang and cilantro) and smoked brisket sliders (4th Line Cattle Company smoked brisket, provolone, sweet pickles and roasted aioli).
The Evelyn will have carnitas tacos (smoked and braised pork butt, fresh tomato and jalapeno salsa in a flour tortilla).
The Friendly Society will offer Ontario lamb sujuk on flatbread with tomatoes and pickles.
