Toronto Island (37 per cent) and Ottawa's Pink Lake (30 per cent) named top destinations for local outdoor dining this summer
The President's Choice® team asks Ontarians to expect more from their al fresco dining experiences with recipes from Executive Chef Rob Bragagnolo
BRAMPTON, ON, June 30, 2015 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) – Following one of the harshest winters on record, the President's Choice® brand is celebrating the joys 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 Ontarians what foods they were looking forward to indulging in this summer they said juicy beef burgers (76 per cent), crisp salads (66 per cent), healthy veggie platters (55 per cent), dips (52 per cent) and classic potato chips (50 per cent).
When it comes to where Ontarians love to dine under the sun or stars this summer, home is certainly the most popular answer option, with more than 80 per cent preferring their own backyard, followed distantly by the cottage (45 per cent) and the beach (25 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.
"Ontario truly is yours to explore, with perfect outdoor dining locations from the cottage, to city parks, to your own backyard," says Rob Bragagnolo, executive chef at Marben Restaurant in Toronto. "When I was challenged by the President's Choice® team to develop the perfect recipes to match Ontario's top al fresco dining spots, I was inspired by the local bounty of Ontario combined with easy entertaining favourites."
To provide Chef Rob with even more inspiration, the President's Choice® team surveyed residents of Ontario's two largest cities – Toronto and Ottawa – to help determine the top outdoor dining destinations to inspire his creations.
Among Torontonians, Toronto Island took the lead (37 per cent), followed by High Park (25 per cent), Ashbridge's Bay (17 per cent), Bluffer's Park (13 per cent) and Trinity Bellwoods Park (8 per cent).
Inspired by Torontonian's top choice, Chef Rob has created the mouth-watering Centre Island Caprese Club Sandwich with PC® Kettle Cooked Applewood Smoked Bacon Flavour Potato Chips, PC® Loads of Caprese Chicken Burgers, PC® Double Decker Burger Buns, PC® black label Grilled and Marinated Eggplant, PC® Kumato® Gourmet Tomatoes, along with PC® Fresh Basil and PC® Formaggio Di Bufala Mozzarella Fresh Soft Cheese, inspired by his Italian/Canadian heritage.
Chef Rob also developed the highly portable and appetizing Shrimp Pots with PC® Whole Wheat Naan Rounds Buns, served in mason jars for a classic picnic twist. The Shrimp Pots are made with PC® Cooked Peeled Wild Atlantic Cold Water Shrimp, PC® Sustainably Sourced Smoked Wild Sockeye Salmon, avocado mayonnaise and fresh herbs served on PC® Whole Wheat Naan Rounds Buns.
Ottawa residents also weighed in on their top outdoor dining choices, with Pink Lake (Gatineau Park) taking the lead with (30 per cent), followed by Major's Hill Park (28 per cent), Rideau Falls (19 per cent), Long Island Locks (16 per cent) and Petrie Island (7 per cent).
While the President's Choice® team asked Chef Rob to create the ultimate outdoor dining dishes, the range of new PC® products available this summer at Loblaws® and Real Canadian Superstore® allows anyone to create quick and unique meals 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 with PC® Whole Wheat Naan Rounds Buns or grab a PC® Pineapple 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 Ontario, President's Choice®products are available at Real Canadian Superstore®, Loblaws ®, Your Independent Grocer® , Fortinos ®, Zehrs Markets ®, No Frills® and valu-mart ®.
Website: www.pc.ca , www.loblaws.ca
Facebook: President's Choice
Twitter & Instagram: @PresChoice #PCSummer
Chef Rob's full recipe and accompaniment suggestions, as well as product samples and high resolution 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
Kathleen Edmondson, [email protected], 416-934-8097
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