Brady C.

De Winton, Alberta

Calgary Regional Heritage School Fair

French Canadian Cuisine

My project is on the history of French Canadian cuisine. It explores how French Cuisine was developed right here in Canada and is unique to our country.  Due to the dynamic nature of life in Quebec leads to constantly evolving new recipes creating uniquely Canadian flavours and dishes, such as Montreal smoked meat, poutine and tourtieres.

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

Quebec is at the very top of the French Canadian food market, but there is an amazing presence of French culture and recipes even out on the Alberta prairies. Recipes such as poutine can be found everywhere from food carts to upscale restaurants today. French Canadian cuisine is a diverse method of cooking it is truly amazing to think all of the recipes and methods came from them all that way back from the settlement of Quebec until modern times.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

I have learned that if the French immigrants did not come to Canada we may not have not had the French Canadian cuisine that we enjoy today. Here in Alberta, I can easily go out and find a local restaurant proudly serving French Canadian recipes. French Canadians throughout the country have helped shape the cuisine that we enjoy even out on the prairies. French, as one of Canada's founding peoples, continue to influence the nation in which we live.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

My life today has benefitted from advances in technology and modernized cooking techniques and tools. Today, it is much easier to store and preserve food. We have modern kitchens and machines to help us cook and prepare our meals, whereas in the past food could not be stored properly and the time prepare meals was much longer. I have benefited from this study by learning of advantages of taking my time to prepare and enjoy a meal with friends and family. I am a proud Canadian, have a passion for cooking and have truly enjoyed experimenting with French Canadian. recipes.