The President's Choice® team asks Haligonians to expect more from their al fresco dining experiences with recipes from Chef Kathy Jollimore
HALIFAX, June 30, 2015 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) – Following one of the harshest winters on record, the President's Choice® brand is celebrating the joy of summer by providing Canadians with chef-created recipes. The mouth-watering, warm-weather recipes are inspired by local outdoor dining destinations and favourite summer food items. With barbeque season in full swing, it's no surprise that when the President's Choice® team asked Atlantic Canadians what foods they were looking forward to indulging in this summer they said juicy beef burgers (76 per cent), crisp salads (58 per cent), fresh fruit (57 per cent), cheese (54 per cent), healthy veggie platters (45 per cent), dips (45 per cent), classic potato chips (53 per cent) and, of course, ice cream (59 per cent).
When it comes to where Atlantic Canadians love to dine under the sun or stars this summer, home is certainly the most popular answer option, with 74 per cent preferring their own backyard, followed by the cottage (34 per cent), the beach (25 per cent) and a campground (23 per cent).
The President's Choice® team has partnered with some of Canada's top chefs to create locally inspired dishes using PC® products that are perfect for outdoor summer dining – whether it's a backyard barbeque, a picnic in the park or a beach-side grill.
"Nova Scotians know that there's really nowhere better than right here at home to relax and indulge in the best that summer has to offer – sunshine, amazing scenery, the ocean, friends and family," says Halifax chef and food writer Kathy Jollimore. "When I was challenged by the President's Choice® team to develop the perfect recipes to match Halifax's top al-fresco dining spots, I was, of course, inspired by local seafood offerings combined with easy entertaining favourites."
To provide Chef Kathy with even more inspiration, the President's Choice® team surveyed residents of Halifax to help determine the top outdoor dining destinations to inspire her creations.
Point Pleasant Park took the lead among Haligonians (43 per cent), followed by Shubie Park (21 per cent), Sir Sanford Fleming Park (the Dingle) (18 per cent), Citadel Hill (12 per cent), and York Redoubt National Historic Site (6 per cent).
Inspired by Haligonians' top choice, Point Pleasant Park – in the heart of the city but away from it all, and complete with a fresh ocean breeze no matter which spot you choose for a picnic – Chef Kathy has created the mouth-watering Double Decker Lobster Clubhouse, a combination of the famed Atlantic lobster roll and a classic diner clubhouse. It can be made in advance or assembled al fresco, grilling the lobster and the new PC® Double Decker Hamburger Buns to order.
Chef Kathy also developed a Grilled Summer Vegetable and Halloom Sandwich made with PC® Whole Wheat Naan Rounds Buns for the vegetarians at the gathering. And, to finish on the perfect sweet note, she has taken the traditional picnic watermelon slice to a new level with Mint Brownie Watermelon Crunch Ice Cream Sandwiches.
While the President's Choice® team asked Chef Kathy to create the ultimate outdoor dining dishes, the range of new PC® products available this summer at Atlantic Superstore® allows anyone to create a quick and unique meal suited for their city, province, neighbourhood or family's tastes. Whether you pile the new PC® Double Decker Burger high with toppings, create your own picnic dips featuring PC® Traditional Naan Dippers Flat Breads or grab a PC® Pineapple and Kale 100% Vegetable & Fruit Smoothie while you're on the run, the choice is yours to get the most out of al fresco dining and entertaining this summer. Learn more about all things summer at pc.ca and join the conversation using the hashtag #pcsummer.
Check out pc.ca for more sensational summer treats and entertaining ideas. In Nova Scotia, President's Choice® products are available at Atlantic Superstore®, Your Independent Grocer®, SaveEasy® and No Frills®.
Website: www.pc.ca, www.atlanticsuperstore.ca
Facebook: President's Choice
Twitter & Instagram: @PresChoice #PCSummer
Chef Kathy's full recipe and accompaniment suggestions, as well as product samples and high resolution recipe images are available upon request.
National Survey (n=3000)
From May 27th to May 30th, 2015 an online survey was conducted among 3,021 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 1.8%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
City-Specific Survey (n=1950)
From May 27th to June 1st, 2015 an online survey was conducted among 1,972 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. There were approximately n=150 respondents in each of Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Ottawa, St. John's, and Halifax. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to age, gender and region. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,300 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 192,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers.
Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,250 Shoppers Drug Mart® and Pharmaprix® locations and more than 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial® no-fee banking; affordable Joe Fresh® fashion and family apparel; and three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand®, no name® and President's Choice®. Through the PC Plus® and Shoppers Optimum® loyalty programs, more than one in every three Canadians are rewarded for shopping with the companies.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited
