Small Town Delicacies and Canada's 150 Birthday

Canada 150th and Port Stanley's Shawarma
The Chordekars via Israel and India

CTV News had yesterday a "Canada 150 success story" (150 years of Canada's confederation) about a family that came from Tel Aviv to Port Stanley, a town on the shores of Lake Eerie. They are touted as immigrants who shunned the big city lights of Toronto and got themselves to a smaller town instead. Well they were in Toronto for several years before they made it to Port Stanley, so they are not the Third-World-Country-to-Small-Town-Canada type at all. Their move is really not much different from immigrants who slowly move their way out of congested cities to other more pleasant locations, which they once again exit to other more secluded, pleasant small towns.

Below is the television story:



So, they opened up a "shwarma" place in this pretty town. Not some fancy French restaurant, or a lively Irish pub, or a menu-rich American Diner.

No. It's just another meat-wrapped-in-a-pita place. That is, a Middle Eastern fast-food joint.

And modesty runs shallow as they talk about opening another place:

The Chordekars are working on plans to expand their business and hire locals to work at their restaurant

says the eulogizing CTV reporter.

Of course all this money comes from government subsidized new business (and immigrant business) start-up funds, which means the ordinary Canadian tax payer is invested in yet another corner shop "venture" whether he wants to or not.

They appear to be professional re-locators. They stress their Tel Aviv connection (they lived there eight years ago) but they originally came from India (Mumbai, as Bombay is now called). They give no concrete reason for why they left India or Israel. The Israeli relocation seems more for financial reasons than personal safety, as does their move to Canada. The CTV news narrator says cryptically:

Living in Tel Aviv, Mumbai before that, the family longed for a country where safety wasn't a concern. Canada promised good education and opportunity. Eight years ago they moved...

They met in Israel where:

Gabriel had experience in the Hotel industry in Eilat, a resort city on the Red Sea with hotels and beaches packed with thousands of tourists from around the world, where Gabriel and Doris Chordekar met and married in Israel before emigrating to Canada.

I believe that the ultimate goal for both of them has always been to get to North America (Canada, the United States, it's all the same). Like most Third World immigrants, they will have a plethora of connections on both sides of the border which they will use constantly - for travel for business an even for future re-locations.

Here is a 2017 reprt which describes their business thus:

Shebaz’s Shawarma & Falafel is owned and operated by Gabriel and Doris Chordekar. Gabriel and Doris had previously resided in the Greater Toronto Area and settled in Port Stanley in 2012. They arrived in Port Stanley armed with a master’s degree in business, training in Middle Eastern Cuisine, and a passion for customer service. It was not long before they decided to follow their dream and open a Middle Eastern themed take-out restaurant. The local community quickly embraced this venture and continues to support the business. The Elgin Business Resource Centre and the County of Elgin Economic Development team are proud to have supported these entrepreneurs through the planning and launch phases of their business. Not only have the Chordekars enhanced the culinary landscape of Port Stanley but their young family has been a great addition to the community.

Well they made it.

If you listen to them talking, it is clear that they are not destitute refugees who might have genuine reasons for running across the globe. They clearly come from some kind reasonably secure segment of their native society where, among other things, they have learned to speak good English and procured an MBA between them.


William Road in Port Stanley:

From left to right:
- Shebaz Shwarma and Falafel "[has] delicious Middle Eastern flavours awaiting you, just minutes away from the main beach."
- Succs On The Beach "is all about showcasing succulents in natural and/or reclaimed vessels, put together with skill and love."
- Sushi Punk "is a hip new sushi/noodle bar & coffee house located in Port Stanley. There's a lounge for you to kick back in with a latte, bubble tea or smoothie and dig the vibes." (Sushi Punk is more an "eclectic" place run by what looks like a former punkrocker-type who is now into food, coffee and antiques). No Japanese there.

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Sushi Punk


Emily Sheeler from Sushi Punk
From an ad for a cooking (sushi) presentation at Pepper Tree Spice Co.,this past May.

NEW! SUSHI WORKSHOP

Thurs. May. 18th , 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, $60

We are positively thrilled to have Sushi Punk join us in Port and we want to share! Welcome Emily Sheerer from Sushi Punk to our kitchen as she leads you in this fun sushi workshop. Prepare to roll up your sleeves and learn the secret to making perfect Sushi Rice, Futomaki (Sushi rolls with multiple fillings, seaweed on the outside),

Uramaki (Inside out sushi rolls, seaweed on the outside), Nigiri (individual hand formed sushi pieces) and finally Chirashi, scattered sushi. In addition you will all be taking home your own Sushi making tool kit ($20 Value). Vegetarian & Vegan options are a cinch to create once you have the basics.

Sheeler is clearly an expert. But she doesn't just stop there. Her vintage furniture bring some history into this shopping block, and "Canada 150" would do well to visit her collections.

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Succs on the Beach



Elgin County Tourism:

[Succs on the Beach]...is a magical nature filled Artisan Gift Shop, abundant with locally handmade crafts and an array of beautiful Succulent arrangements.

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