Global Flavours - Experience the World

Join us on a culinary adventure! For the month of February 2021, we invite you to download your Global Flavours Passport and experience the world in St. Thomas. Have fun, show some local love, and make February a delectable month for the record books!​

Today in the blog we thought we'd highlight some of the most popular cultural locales on the passport and how you can enjoy some authentic cuisine!

​Learn more about the event here: Global Flavours

A little history...

Mexican cuisine is a complex, ancient cuisine, and a bit of a melting pot! With techniques and skills developed over thousands of years, it is created mostly with ingredients native to Mexico such as tomatoes, squash, avocado, cocoa and vanilla. Chocolate originated in Mexico and was prized by the Aztecs. It remains an important ingredient in Mexican cookery.

Meat was scarce before the Spaniards arrived, so the natives of Mexico used corn and beans as their main nutritional staples. Chiles and heavy spices were used to give their dishes complex flavor. Mexico's seaside communities relied on the plentiful array of seafood as a source of protein for their dishes. Soon the Spaniards brought over garlic, onions, cheese, wheat, chicken, and more. The native Mexicans soon incorporated these new food items into their indigenous dishes.

With all these influences and ingredients, Mexican cuisine has grown to include a rich selection of ingredients combined in unique and delicious ways.

Learn more about Mexican food here.


Where to try...

• Bella Jacks - Established 2004 and located at 437 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. The chef recommends the steak fajitas, and a tip for customers is to experiment with different hot sauces! Bella Jacks has a great selection, be sure to ask if you'd like to add to your order.
• Gordita Shop - Established in 2016 by mother and son duo Helen and Peter and located at 38 Talbot Street East in Aylmer. The chefs recommend the Gorditas as well as trying out the daily specials! 
• Mennomex - Established in 1997 and located at 49919 Talbot Line, Aylmer, Mennomex is a both a grocer for Mexican ingredients and producer of delicious to-go cuisine! The owners encourage customers to try out the breakfast burrito with a variety of their fresh toppings.

A little history...

In Thailand, food forms a central part of any social occasion, and it often becomes the social occasion in itself! This is partly due to the friendly, social nature of Thai people, but also because of the way in which food is ordered, served, and eaten. Family and friends unite and share through food.

A typical Thai meal includes five main flavors: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy. Indeed, most Thai dishes are not considered satisfying unless they combine all five.

When eating out, or making a meal at home, a group of Thai diners would eat a variety of meat and/or fish dishes, plus vegetables, a noodle dish, and possibly soup. Everything is shared, except the soup

Thais eat slowly and enjoy the food, as a meal is also an opportunity for sharing with loved ones.

Learn more about Thai Cuisine here.


Where to try...

• Le Cafe Siam - Established in 2007 and located at 392 Talbot Street St. Thomas. The favourite dish from the chef is the Green Curry. But for those Pad Thai lovers out there looking for a family meal idea, he says that traditionally Pad Thai is eaten with red curry, coconut rice, papaya salad and garlic stir-fried meat. 
• Lotus Thai - Established in 2005 and located at 295 Talbot Street St. Thomas. The owner's favourite dish is the Pad Thai and they recommend trying ordering with some pho noodle soup, mango salad, and spring rolls.
• Thai Food Aylmer - Established in 2016 and located at 39 King Street Aylmer. The owner recommends their most popular dish of Pad Thai, but don't neglect to try some of their curry as well!

A little history...

British food has been heavily influenced over centuries by foreign invaders. Vikings, Romans, and French brought their own influence and the impact of the Franco-Normans is clearly reflected in the common use of their spices: saffron, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, and sugar. Medieval English cookery abounds with recipes containing these foreign contributions, and these ingredients are still found in traditional recipes.

​With all these different influences, current British food traditions are many and varied. Who hasn't heard of afternoon tea, the full English breakfast, a Sunday roast, or the hallowed British pub?

So rich and diverse is English food, that England boasts three national dishes: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, Fish & Chips, and the recently added Chicken Tikka Masala.

Learn more about the history of British food here.

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Where to try...

• Hammersley's Fish & Chips - Established in the 1930s and located at 771 Talbot Street St. Thomas, Hammersley's has been a local staple for generations. Specializing in traditional fish & chips, the owner recommends the Halibut for a treat, and don't forget a side of mushy peas!
• Sparta House Tea Room - Established in 1996 and located at 46342 Sparta Line in Sparta, the Tea Room has all your British staples! Order everything from bangers n' mash to high tea! And did you know that they have the largest collection of teapots in SW Ontario?

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