Canadian Food???

Last weeks look at maple syrup got me thinking about other typical Canadian foods. Aside from maple sugar, which was taught to European settlers by first nations peoples, there are very few truly “Canadian” foods. This is partly because Canada is so big that there are more regional foods as opposed to “Canadian”, but also because Canada really is a country of immigrants. There are very few foods that are specifically Canadian. There have been many foods that we have perfected (take the donut for example!) but few dishes that have started here. Our food tends to reflect the fact hat we are a multicultural community, especially here in the Toronto area. There has been the French and English from early on, followed by people from all across Europe and now from all over the world. I cannot think of any people group that is not represented here in the Toronto area. If I look at the food in my town alone I see this fact. There have been pubs and fish and chip shops for years, and many North American franchises. In the past few years, however, we have added Indian, West Indian, Jerk, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Greek, Thai, Latino and Philipino restaurants and markets. It truly continues to be a growing community of immigrants and our food continues to be a favourite way to explore this reality. We don’t always get this multi-cultural thing perfect. It is not always easy, there is sometimes tension, and we certainly make mistakes as we all try to figure out what this extremely diverse community should look like, but it is also very exciting. I am not sure what kind of food will be served at the banquet that Jesus talks about in the kingdom, but I am reminded about the kind of people that will make up the kingdom of God. Revelation 5:9 speaks of a song that is sung to the Lamb on the throne which states:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with you blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation...”

And again in Revelation 7:9 we are told of a “multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” It is a pretty amazing picture to consider!