How the donair became the official food of Halifax
Plus, a look into the storied history of the donair in Edmonton
You asked for it and Secret Life of Canada has answered. An episode dedicated to the history of the beloved Halifax Donair. Falen and Leah speak to Book of Donair author Lindsay Wickstrom about how its originator, Greek immigrant Peter Gamouloukas, brought the kebab to Nova Scotia in the 1970s and invented the signature sweet sauce.
They also talk to writer and filmmaker Omar Mouallem and learn: how the Levantine dish travelled the world courtesy of Lebanese immigrants, what happened in Alberta to cause the province to produced the most Donair meat in the country and why he may be the person responsible for Halifax declaring the donair its official dish.
Then, they hear about all of the different versions of the recipe across Canada including all the unauthorised toppings that British Columbia's restaurants seem to be putting into pitas and calling a donair.
Key References
- The Last Baron Documentary by Omar Mouallem
- Eat This Town Halifax Food Blog by Lindsay Wickstrom
- Book of Donair: Everything you wanted to know about the Halifax street food that became Canada's favourite kebab by Lindsay Wickstrom
- Halifax declares donairs the official food of the city CBC News
- Donairs explained: How a humble street food conquered Edmonton Edmonton Journal
- Doner dinner: 50 years of the kebab The Guardian
- Everything You Need to Know About Halifax's Official Food: The Donair Discover Halifax
- Bountiful Empire: A History of Ottoman Cuisine by Priscilla Mary Işin
- Greek Canadians The Canadian Encyclopedia
- The Lebanese Community in Canada Government of Canada
- Maritime Donair Sauce Recipe Allrecipies
- King of Donair
