June 13, 2012
MP TOEWS TAKES 1ST PLACE AND TOP PRIZE
MP TOEWS TAKES 1ST PLACE AND TOP PRIZE IN
“EVERYONE WINS WITH CANADIAN CHICKEN” CONTEST,
ASKS MANITOBANS TO DONATE TO THEIR LOCAL FOOD BANK
Ottawa, June 12, 2012— The Honourable Vic Toews, Regional Minister for Manitoba and Member of Parliament for Provencher, today participated in the final challenge of the Everyone Wins with Canadian Chicken contest, held live on CTV Morning Live in Ottawa. During the course of the broadcast, Minister Toews’ recipe was awarded 1st place and a $10,000 donation to be divided among the food banks in his riding.
“This contest has done a wonderful job of raising the profile of local food banks during what is often a slow time for donations,” said Toews. “I am honoured that my “Provencher” Pesto Chicken Philly-Melt has been judged to be the best of the recipes submitted by MPs from across Canada and urge Canadians to consider making a donation to their local food bank.”
The Everyone Wins with Canadian Chicken contest was organized by the Chicken Farmers of Canada, Maple Leaf, Food Banks Canada and the Hill Times. The contest received 72 entries from Members of Parliament from ridings across Canada, all of whom were competing for a donation to their local food bank and the chance for their recipe to be served at the 20th Annual Great Canadian Chicken BBQ in Ottawa on July 1st.
Minister Toews’ winning entry includes a home-grown featured ingredient, 2 year old Bothwell cheddar. A local Manitoba success story, Bothwell Cheese has been manufacturing a wide variety of cheeses since 1936 in New Bothwell, using only the freshest locally-produced milk.
Winners of the contest and their take-home prize for a food bank in their riding are:
First Prize: $10,000 donation MP Vic Toews
Second Prize: $5,000 donation MP Olivia Chow
Third Prize: $2,500 donation MP Sylvain Chicoine
Minister Toews’ winnings will be divided among the five food banks located in the riding of Provencher: South East Helping Hands, the Morris Food Bank, the Lorette Food Bank, the Springfield Food Bank, and the Lac du Bonnet and area Food Bank.
“While Canada’s economy is on the right track for recovery, there are families across this country who access their local food banks for a helping hand,” said Toews. “I am thrilled to have been able to participate in an event that supports such a good cause.”
The 72 recipes will be compiled in a digital cookbook and made available at http://www.victoews.com/and http://www.chicken.ca/.
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Further Information (Media Only)
Office of the Honourable Vic Toews
BACKGROUNDER
The “Provencher” Pesto-Chicken Philly-melt
What you'll need:
1 breast of grilled chicken
Montreal Steak Spice
Oregano
Olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh pesto
1 tablespoon mayo
1 tablespoon of jalapenos (optional)
3 slices of 2 year old Bothwell cheddar
1/4 of a green pepper, sliced
1/4 of a red pepper, sliced
1/4 of an onion, sliced
3 slices of tomato
Fresh garlic
Shredded lettuce
Splash of balsamic vinegar
1 6-inch Ciabatta bun
1. Marinade chicken over night with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and fresh garlic.
2. Add Montreal Steak Spice to chicken and BBQ on high heat to ensure a crisp but not blackened outside.
3. While barbequing the chicken, sauté green pepper, red pepper and onion with a small amount of olive oil and oregano.
4. Mix pesto with mayo and jalapenos then apply to both sides of Ciabatta bun.
5. Slice chicken to desired thickness.
6. Place sautéed veggies on the bottom half of bun, followed by sliced chicken.
7. Put 2 slices of cheddar on top of the chicken and 2 halves of the other slice on the top of the bun.
8. Place buns open face on the top rack of the BBQ until the cheese melts, ensuring the bun is not overly crispy.
9. Add shredded lettuce and sliced tomato on top of the chicken.
10. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar on top of the tomato and some fresh cracked pepper.
11. Close sandwich, press down and enjoy!