Ethiopia: Eatery names dishes after leaders

Toronto Sun, March 30, 2011
TORONTO - Prime Minister Stephen Harper is beefy, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is rather hot and spicy and the NDP's Jack Layton is well-seasoned.

Sirak Ayele, owner of Abyssinaia holds

his politically inspired dishes

In addition to what's happening on the campaign trail, the trio are being judged in a in a heated race at a Toronto Ethiopian restaurant.

Sirak Ayele, 35, owner of Abyssinia Restaurant at Bloor and Christie Sts., has created a special political menu of Ethiopian dishes representing the personalities of federal party leaders.

At the restaurant sits a board which displays the popularity of the dishes.

Since the dishes made their debut on Monday, it's been neck-and-neck between Ignatieff and Harper, followed by Layton.

In last place sits the Green Party Elizabeth May's veggie dish.

Sam Getachew, who helped to create the specialized dishes, said he's hoping for a strong turnout at the polls on May 2.

"I thought by making these dishes in relation to the party leaders' personalities, the participation rate to vote might go up from a dismal 55%. I just wanted to help Canadians start talking about our political process and go out and vote," Getachew said.

Ayele said Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe was not added to the menu because he will never become prime minister.

The restaurateur will donate $200 to a charity chosen by the first party leader to show up at the restaurant to order his or her dish between now and election day.

STEPHEN HARPER'S DISH, $11.99:

Tender pieces of marinated beef sauteed with chunks of red pepper, onion, garlic and tomatoes on a sheet of ethiopian Injera bread.

* "Harper's dish is a small portion of beef. It has no flavours or spice. It's a traditional ethiopian dish, which reflects a small government holding traditional values," Ayele says.

MICHAEL IGNATIEFF'S DISH, $10.99:

A spicy number comprising lean beef warmed in spiced butter. It's cooked with hot mitmita and cottage cheese.

* "It's got all kinds of stuff served on one platter to reflect the 'all of the above' policy of the Liberals and their leader," the restaurateur says.

JACK LAYTON'S DISH, $12.99:

Strips of charbroiled beef seasoned with garlic, black pepper, onions, green chillies and a touch of rosemary.

* "This dish reflects youth and idealism, and most people who like this dish are in their 20s," Ayele says.

ELIZABETH MAY'S DISH, $11.99:

A generous portion of peas, lentils, spiced chickpeas and green beans cooked in a light hot sauce.

* "This is a more environmentally and healthy meal that everyone likes in theory," Ayele says.