With all the HP Sauce news coming out of Birmingham, England these past couple of months, one might be tempted to think that perhaps the Heinz decision to move production of HP sauce to Holland just might impact the average HP Sauce lover living outside of the UK. I’m here to say that it has in fact not changed things much at all, at least from where I’m sitting. Unfortunately, word of the impending closure of the Aston plant has yet to spur anger the hearts and minds of the general (HP consuming) populous residing on this side of the pond. I am in fact the only one I know of in Canada (or anywhere else really, save Malta) who has actively taken any interest in seeing the Birmingham HP Sauce heritage preserved. If I am being totally honest, I must admit then that I am somewhat disheartened by this realization. None of us today would be enjoying delicious HP Sauce at all if it weren’t for the Aston factory!

I am encouraged however to learn about the continued fight being fought by the Birmingham HP factory workers who have now joined forces with the powerful US based Teamsters union. The Teamsters Union which both owns shares in Heinz and has close ties with Britain’s Transport & General Workers’ Union, will soon be launching a barrage of hostile questions aimed directly at the Heinz board - directly addressing the controversial planned closure of the Birmingham factory. Perhaps this move might finally raise some eyebrows where it counts, I wish them every bit of luck!

Meanwhile, back in Winnipeg - I have just come back from a shopping run at the local ubermarket grocery store where I’ve just picked up a fresh bottle of HP Sauce. Around its neck is a tag which announces a new promotion by HP Sauce, Lea & Perrins and the Canadian Beef Information Center. This promotion contains two new recipes (shown below) for “Beef Skewers with Golden Grilled Vegetables” and “Marinated Steak with Sassy Beef Sauce”. They both look very tasty, and as this is right in the middle of BBQ season I quite look forward to trying them both. I’m not sure how any recipe can improve upon a bacon butty however. There’s something so very enticingly simple about toast, bacon & HP Sauce. It’s delicous, and it makes great snack while staying up to watch “Are You Being Served?” on television in the evening. Still…one must try new things!

Both “Beef Skewers with Golden Grilled Vegetables“ and “Marinated Steak with Sassy Beef Sauce“ recipes can be found in the recipes section. Enjoy!

^*Although it is not very obvious, there is indeed a bit of Heinz influence at play with these recipes. 10 points for simply spotting it, and 1000 points for boo-ing, hissing, writing your MP, generally calling attention to the Heinz nastiness and signing the petition!