Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
July 31, 2003
U of G community supporting Canadian beef industry
Members of the University of Guelph are helping to support the Canadian beef industry by participating in a nation-wide event Aug. 2 at 6 p.m.
The "World's Longest Barbecue" is the initiative of U of G friend and culinary expert Anita Stewart. She decided to spearhead an event to help Canada's beef industry after a single case of mad cow disease detected in May caused the United States, Japan and other nations to ban Canadian beef products.
The concept for the event is quite simple: Stewart is asking the country to cook Canadian beef on the campfire, gas stove, or barbecue on Saturday at 6 p.m. in each time zone. She has been monitoring the success of the event through in-coming emails of people describing their BBQ plans. "Judging from the response I've received, this idea has hit a cord with the people of Canada," Stewart said.
U of G's Food Safety Network will be participating in the event with a live Webcam broadcast — www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/beef.htm — from the backyard of professor Douglas Powell, the network's scientific director.
"The measures that the Canadian government have taken, to this point, to further manage the spread of bovine spongiform encephlopaphy are rigorous and robust," said Powell. "This is an opportunity to highlight safe food handling practices and emphasize the steps taken by everyone in the farm-to-fork food safety system to deliver safe, affordable Canadian beef."
Dave Hume, interim associate vice-president for Agri-Food and Partnerships, and his wife, Jean, will also be hosting a barbecue on Saturday. "First, we're participating to support the beef industry," said Hume. "We also wanted to entertain some good friends." They'll be using marinades and moist heat in the barbeque to cook inexpensive cuts because it's the cheaper cuts of meat that are most out of balance between supply and demand, said Hume. Their guests include Ontario Agri-Food Technologies president Gord Surgeoner, Ontario Agricultural College agricultural policy advisor Terry Daynard, and agriculture economics and business professor George Brinkman.
Craig Pearson, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at U of G will be hosting his own backyard beef barbecue on Saturday for family and friends. Pearson will be serving Canadian sirloin steak, Niagara white wine and, "to encourage international trade, Australian red wine. The objective is to remind everyone that our food, Canadian food, is safer and of better quality than ever!" he said.
For more information and recipes, visit www.foodtv.ca/longestBarbecue.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
