February 23rd is National Patty Day!

22 February 2012 No Comments

A PATTY BY ANY OTHER NAME…

True Daley

By True Daley

Every culture has its meat-filled pastry. South Asians have given us samosas, Asia has offered up the spring roll, and from the Caribbean, Jamaica’s delicacy is the world-renown beef patty.

Although patty lovers come from around the world, in North America it’s been a flavourful favourite since its arrival in the 1960s.

Itah Sadu, founder of Toronto’s A Different Booklist, is proclaiming February 23^rd as National Patty Day, an idea inspired by a passerby of another culture who happened to be eating a patty as he hurried about his day. This visual triggered a myriad of memories, ideas and feelings, including the opportunity to commerate the efforts of Torontonian vendors who banded together in opposition to renaming the Jamaican patty – Caribbean pie – as proposed by a city official in 1985.

According to the account in www.torontoist.com, “The vendors around Metropolitan Toronto received notices and visits from federal food inspectors from the department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (CACA). The inspectors were dismayed to find, as they did during an investigation in Western Canada that blew the lid off a cruel deception perpetrated on innocent consumers, that the turnover-like products sold in Toronto as “beef patties” did not match the technical definition of that term under the Meat Inspection Act. An item sold as a “patty” could only contain meat (fresh or cooked), salt, seasonings, and flavour enhancers. A beef patty had to contain at least 10% protein and no more than 30% fat. It could not contain fillers like breadcrumbs, oats, or whatever is stuffed into fast-food tacos. It could not be enclosed in dough or pastry. According to food inspector Sherry Brumwell, “the product in question doesn’t meet the standards, because the common name for patty specified in the regulation says no flour can be added to the meat…if the product doesn’t meet the standard it can’t be called a patty. We are asking for a correction.”

‘The Patty War’ became such a contentious matter, that vendors were threatening law suits to cover the costs of repackaging the food items, and protect their businesses from going under. Manager of Kensington Market’s Patty Palace, Michael Davidson also contended, Jamaican customers would not recognize the term ‘Caribbean Pie’, a name suggested by CACA food specialist Peter Haidle , whose defense was, “When you have a standard, you have to comply with it or the whole system breaks down.”

A highly publicized summit was held on February 19 to resolve the issue. Government officials, Jamaican Consul-General Oswald Murray, lawyer (AKA ‘Patty Guardian’) Lloyd Perry, and Michael Davidson were all in attendance. After much debate and ongoing negative press, both the system and the Jamaican patty remained intact.

It was decided that the name could be kept as long as it wasn’t simply called ‘beef patty’, and the ‘Jamaican Beef Patty’ was born.

A victory celebration was held on February 23, 1985 when customers were treated to a beef patty and a ginger beer for a dollar. Since then, the Jamaican patty continues to be linked to the country of its origin. This significant move speaks volumes to Sadu, who says this point in Canadian history is symbolic of how identity, community, education and politics can all be linked to food. For this reason, she has invited various community leaders, local businesses, and schools throughout the city, to take part in a series of discussions, performances and activities, which simultaneously celebrate African Heritage Month and Jamaica’s 50^th year of independence.

To be sensitive to Muslims, and others whose diet may prevent them from enjoying the traditional beef patty, the bookstore has ensured vegetarian patties are included on the menu. In the GTA, locals are also doing their part to celebrate this historical event.

Omari of A Taste of Life – Organic Vegan Foods will be touring schools and speaking to students about food, health and culture, while local artist and community worker Subliminal AKA Sean Mauricette has created an online buzz after imploring followers to consider his non-traditional patty fillings on Facebook. The passionate postings inspired him to create a humourous demo video of his home recipe.

Dwayne Morgan of Up From The Roots will be performing a poem written specifically for the day, while Sandra Whiting & Associates are also partners in the event which recognizes the Jamaican Patty’s unique and intriguing history in Canada.

Educators will be using the patty to teach math, history, hospitality and politics, stating NPD is an opportunity for their students to learn these subjects in a way that is both tangible and relative to their every day life, while drawing connections to their multi-cultural community.

Enjoy your patty any way you like it, and if you’re in Toronto be sure to stop by A Different Booklist to take part in the festivities. The kick off starts Thursday Feb 23rd, from 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, at A Different Booklist, 746 Bathurst Street. Michael Davidson of Patty Palace, members of the JA50th, patty vendors, celebrities and other special guests will be in attendance for this historic event. Students will be invited to meet Mr. Davidson, and receive a patty and a poster.

Happy National Patty Day!

To learn more about this event or the bookstore, contact Itah Sadu: 416 538 0889 – [email protected]