Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM

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The suave and debonair Travelling Gourmet TM goes to the official Residence of Her Excellency The High Commissioner of Canada to a…

MEMORABLE event to celebrate the 15oth Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada! Yes, this year in 2017, Canada celebrates its 105th Birthday with many celebrations and special events. The friendly and charming High Commissioner, Lynn McDonald, graciously welcomed me into her grand abode near the Singapore Botanic Gardens which has an outdoor swimming pool complete with cute waterfalls. Simply dressed in a simple white dress and chic off-white short jacket with neatly coiffed shiny blonde hair, the High Commissioner is in her forties.

The Travelling Gourmet TM with HE Lynn McDonald the High Commissioner of Canada to the Republic of Singapore

Comfortably enscounced in the cosy study of her official residence, HE The High Commissioner kindly gave me an exclusive interview. I asked Lynn, “Canada has wonderful produce and food so how are you promoting Canadian seafood like Lobster and Crab and also Canadian wines to celebrate CANADA 150?”

Lynn answered cheerfully, “Canada is the largest seafood exporter to Singa pore and Atlantic Lobster, often referred to as Boston Lobster is available  in many restaurants and store. We work with partners to carry out theme promotions and activities in supermarkets, and also bring out special retail packs. Our seafood is sustainable like sustainable cold water lobster, Canadian scallops, Geoduck, Salmon. We also have Dungeness Crab form the British Columbian coast. This July to September, Canadian food will be showcased in speciality food stores. In March, during the World Gourmet Summit, Canadian food like seafood and pork will also be one of the stars! Not many know that Canada is the biggest exporter of soya beans to Singapore. Eighty percent of the soya beans in Singapore come from Canada. Canada also exports healthy Canola oil.”

I was impressed! I’ll give you a tip. They have very good Canadian Lobster and King Crab at Beach Road Kitchen of the J W Marriott.

My next query was on one of my favourite wines, namely Icewines. “Canada is rightly famous for its Icewines so do you like Ice wines?”

Smiling happily, Lynn remarked, “I do enjoy Ice wine! It needs to be served at the right temperature and at the appropriate time…must be served cold in a special dessert wine glass. Ice wine goes well with not a sweet sweet dessert, perhaps a small plate of Foie gras and cheeses, dried Maple cookies..but not a rich chocolate dessert, or with some tropical fruit and a light tangy sorbet. In addition to Ice wines, our table wines are winning more and more awards, as more people become aware of sustainable “cool climate” Canadian wines. I want to get restaurants to introduce more Canadian table wines on their wine. In May in the Marina Mandarin Hotel, Pillitteri wines will be featured in their Peach Blossoms restaurant.”

My final cheeky question was, “Have you tried the King of Fruits, the noble Durian?”

Lynn chuckled, “No! ..but I will try it! My husband is Chinese from Hong Kong and he loves durian!”

Later at the Reception to celebrate the launch of CANADA 150 there were delicious Canadian specialities cooked by the High Commissioner’s talented and humble Resident Chef Anand Kumar. Discussing food with him, Anand told me that Canadian food products are of very high quality. Of course, there were winsome Canadian wines too!

Canadian Lobster is very yummie!

With Her Excellency The Canadian High Commissioner at the Arts and Culture Event celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary

For more information on CANADA 150 events in Singapore please go to http://www.singapore.gc.ca

We wish Canada a very happy 150th Anniversary!