Ottawa The Gastronomic Quagmire!
Recently moved to Ottawa from Burlington, Ontario the nations’ capital only to discover that while all the major grocery chains, National Grocers, Metro, Sobeys, are all here, there is a shortage of product on the shelves. To fill a grocery list requires that you travel to several stores and that does not guarantee that you will find what you are looking for. Meat choice is abysmal, beef and pork, in fact tons of pork, some beef, some chicken. Not exactly what the old cardiologist suggests as a healthy diet.
Fish at these stores looks like leftovers that Sylvester wouldn’t eat unless the last bird disappeared from the plant and even then. I was told that I should go to the Byward market to find fresh fish, so off I go, GPS leading me Lapointe Fish Limited, a name trusted for quality fresh fish and seafood, their words not mine. Well Sylvester buddy if you want to eat from their trash can in the alley, knock yourself out, because it’s the same quality inside.
Looking for a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, a common item in groceries throughout North America but alas not one can in all the aforementioned chains. In fact no one knew what I meant as they have never heard of this. Now one of the stores in the National Grocers chain named the Super Store (no i am not being sarcastic, that’s their name) when I asked the manager if they had horseradish root went to get his produce manager who informed me that he thought he knew what it was but not sure. He told me to buy some in a jar. Bravo, wunderbar, that’s the route to fine dining an informed supplier.
People don’t dine in Ottawa they eat supper, early and the earlier the better. Brings me back to the joyous era where women stayed at home and when the man arrived home from his daily chores he expected dinner on the table ready to eat. Ah nostaglia! Birdseye TV dinners are starting to look good.
Now it’s easy to point a finger at the grocery stores, but hey, if nobody wants quality and variety, you can’t blame them for stocking what they do. The sad thing about this is individual stores are all under the gun to be profitable so they cut back further. One just has to walk through the aisles to see empty spots on the shelfs, in the produce bins and in the meat counters. Produce looks like what they put on sale that the elderly grab up on sale.
Now does the Prime Minister eat the same crap? If he doesn’t, where does he get his groceries? Are we paying to get food flown to Sussex Drive? I’m not suggesting that there’s something afoot here, but let’s face it he’s not losing any weight.
As further proof that Ottawa is a culinary nightmare here are the requirements to work in the Cafeteria of the House of Commons. Cafeteria helper ( NOC: 6641 ) 27,609.00 to $34,934.00 Yearly for 35 hours per week Anticipated Start Date: 2010/09/07 Location: Ottawa Centre, Ontario (1 vacancy) Skill Requirements: Education: Completion of high school Credentials (certificates, licences, memberships, courses, etc.): Not required Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years Languages: Speak English, Speak French, Read English, Read French, Write English, Write French Work Setting: Cafeteria, Restaurant, Formal dining room Weight Handling: Up to 9 kg (20 lbs) Security and Safety: Bondable Transportation/Travel Information: Own transportation, Public transportation is available Essential Skills: Reading text, Oral communication, Working with others, Critical thinking Other Information: Experience in a food services environment, team player. Basic Food Safety Training and costumer service experience. Please indicate reference #2009-47. Only those selected will be contacted. Employer: House of Commons How to Apply: Please apply for this job only in the manner specified by the employer. Failure to do so may result in your application not being properl….
Notice no mention of cooking requirements. Duh!
” This food is terrible.” How did you get this job”
“I’m bilingual!”
Say no more!
