On the Table

IN A YEAR of health crisis, travel restrictions and disrupted global supply chains, it is more important than ever to recognize the value of the dedicated Canadians who put food on our tables — from the farmers, foragers and fishers who harvest the bounty of land and sea, to the chefs, bakers, cheesemakers, brewers and other artisans whose creativity and commitment to quality contributes to our flourishing food scene. And how about the grocery store workers, food delivery drivers and folks who man drive-thru windows so we can be sure of a bite to eat at any time of the day or night? Thank you, one and all!

Food Day Canada brings together all Canadians with the University of Guelph and food system partners to celebrate Canadian food and the people who create and study it. Last year #FoodDayCanada reached almost 15 million Canadians online. This year Crystal Mackay, a University of Guelph alumna and well-known advocate for Canadian food and farming, will be coordinator of Food Day Canada, stepping into the role left vacant when FDC founder Anita Stewart passed away in 2020.

We've been celebrating Food Day Canada since 2011 and this year will be no different. In this issue you'll find a feast of recipes inspired by Canadian chefs and Canadian ingredients, starting with the gorgeous nutmeg-scented breakfast bakes from Chef Michael Smith that you see on the cover.

For a bit of armchair travel, we pay a visit to the Mediterranean island that is the subject of Vancouver-based author Christina Loucas' new book, Cyprus Cuisine. And there's more deliciousness from another Canadian chef with international roots — Shahir Massoud. His new Egyptian-inspired cookbook Eat, Habibi, Eat! connects with one of the world's most ancient cuisines in a thoroughly contemporary way.

We'll also introduce you to Skipper Otto, the first Community Supported Fishery in Canada. We were excited to learn about this maritime equivalent of a farm share, which ensures that traditional fishing families in British Columbia can earn a decent living while helping consumers navigate the complex issues surrounding the sustainability of our seafood resources. And there’s more in this issue — Ottawa–based writer Susan Hallett's story about Prague is the first in a series of articles about UNESCO World Heritage Sites that we'll be featuring in upcoming issues. You can also learn to make a perfect pavlova, cook with rose petals, and read about a gorgeous new spa in the California desert.

Enjoy!