The Canadian Club of Halton dinner on September 21, 2017 featured Lindy Mechefske, a free-lance food columnist with the Kingston Whig-Standard and a writer for a variety of Canadian magazines and literary journals. Lindy has written two successful books, A Taste of Wintergreen and her most recent Sir John’s Table: The Culinary Life and Times of Canada’s First Prime Minister. Burlington-based Different Drummer Books was on hand with Lindy’s books for sale and signing. Lindy is currently working on her next food-related book.
Lindy spent her early years in Yorkshire in northern England before moving to Canada, eventually settling in Kingston, Ontario. She has a science degree from the University of Waterloo and spent a number of years as a scientific copy editor.
Lindy and her family had the good fortune to move into an 1840’s home in Kingston, previously owned and lived in by Sir John A Macdonald and his family. Lindy claims she can feel his presence to this day. Her stories about the life, food and career of Sir John A compelled the audience to learn more about this colourful, engaging political figure.
Sir John A. was 4 years old when he gave his first speech, standing on the kitchen table in the middle of a party. Honest and charming, he continued to be a colourful figure throughout his life. His salary was $8,000 per year as prime minister while the average salary in those days was in the $2,000-$3,000 range. Lindy’s book is full of interesting details about the life and times of the era and includes many recipes popular at the time. A great book to read to explore our Canadian heritage!
Lindy has two daughters, Laura, a military doctor in Kingston who is getting married at the end of September, and Elly, who recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Queen’s and much to her Mom’s relief already has a job in her field! Lola is their big, beautiful, reasonably-behaved, white Goldendoodle.
Lindy loves hiking, especially long-distance. She has walked the Tour Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland; the Camino de Santiago in Spain last Fall; and great stretches of other trails including the Bruce Trail and the Appalachian Trail.
She is also interested in transgender issues and has written many articles on this topic.
Her passion is food, reducing food waste, access to food, food security, and of course, cooking.
Article and photos courtesy of Janet Bedford.
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