A short selection of global food news deemed important, absurd, strange, or hilarious!
Illegal Bushmeat passing through airports for consumption (Paris, France)
A new study released by zoologists uncover the dark secret of the illicit bushmeat trade, or the trade of exotic meats such as primates, crocodile, anteater, porcupine, and other rare or protected animals for human consumption. In a 17-day study, security officials searched individuals and found several carrying bushmeat in their personal luggages. It is estimated that over 600,000 lbs of bushmeat is smuggled into Europe, where the meat is consumed as a luxury good. I’m all for eating interesting and unique meats, but there reaches a point where enough is enough and you have to say no. So be careful the next time you decide to eat an exotic meat patty burger, as you never know what else you’ll find. Camel? Monkey? What about horse? [BBC News] [Newsweek]
Newsweek
Seal meat at the 2010 G-8 and G-20 Summit? (Toronto, Canada)
Anarchists abound, the G-8/G-20 Summit will take place this weekend in Toronto Canada. In case you didn’t know, it’s kind of a big deal, with heads of state and international delegates coming together for a weekend of discussion and party. On the agenda: financial markets and the world economy. What’s on the menu list? With a $1 billion CAD price tag, you’re sure to find a menu full of Canadian flair and flavor. But that’s shrouded in mystery due to security reasons. Last year’s G-20 summit in Pittsburgh USA was impeccably hosted by Michelle Obama with an exquisite luncheon menu. Maybe Canada will try sneaking seal meat stuffed ravioli to European delegates to ease EU seal-trade restrictions. For those less daring, a poutine (fries and cheese curds covered in gravy) will have to do. [GlobeandMail]
Globe and Mail
Thai Airways Plan on Selling Take-out Food (Bangkok, Thailand)
I’ve never been a fan of airline food, it tastes bad and leaves the cabin with a nauseating stench. I even go on long-hauls without eating, preferring to wait it off and reduce my chances of a diarrhea run to the 1×1 meter washroom. So it comes to a surprise that Thai Airways is planning to introduce a line of ready-made curry sauces to be sold at their Puff & Pie Bakery shops in several cities in Thailand. As a way to recover losses from political upheaval in Thailand, passengers aboard their planes can now enjoy Thai curries back home. Do you fancy airplane food? I’m sure it’ll taste the same as it does onboard a plane: nasty and dull. Note, I’ve never been on a business/first class flight, so my opinion may change with time and money! [Herald Sun] [Belfast Telegraph]
Airbus, Flickr
Vancouver’s Gastown is most certainly a place to check out as a traveller or a proud resident of the beautiful city. While I fall into the latter category, I admit to only recently haunting this up-and-coming area; I mean, really? 
I was going to start my first article with a formal introduction, but frankly, I don’t really know where to begin! I love food, plain and simple, and I like learning about what I eat. Whenever I go travel, I make sure I do my research on the things I need to eat to really get to know a country. For example, I made sure I ate at an asado in Argentina, Peking duck in Beijing, and Roti in Malaysia. And each dish is but one in several thousands that you would have to sample to really appreciate what the country has to offer. There’s simply TOO MUCH to eat. So I thought I’d start small, start local, and try to appreciate the things that are closer to home. This is a start of my documentation of Canadian food in a series I’d like to call “Eh Canadian Flavour”.
