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The country’s capital, also the self-proclaimed Shawarma Capital of Canada, is serving up the popular Middle Eastern dish in an unusual way. The City of Ottawa is using illustrations of the food to explain weather warnings.
Shawarma is typically made of lamb, beef or chicken that has been put on a spit and is roasted slowly. The meat is shaved off and often served in a pita or wrap with a variety of toppings and sauces.
Ottawa has almost 200 shawarma restaurants, according to councillor Laura Dudas, the Ottawa Citizen reported. Dudas brought forward a motion that was approved in April, naming Ottawa the Shawarma Capital of Canada.
“Shawarma is a civic institution and is objectively delicious,” one of the clauses of the motion stated. “Ottawa’s Shawarma is the great uniter, bringing together Ottawa residents from all backgrounds.”
In a post on social media, the city showed two renderings of the food to symbolize a weather warning versus a weather alert.
“We know our shawarma,” says the post on X, “but weather alerts can be confusing, let’s talk about the difference between a ‘watch’ and a ‘warning.’ Remember: Watch = Be aware. Warning = Take action.”
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A deconstructed shawarma, featuring toppings (garlic sauce, onion, peppers, tomato and lettuce), meat and a wrap separated indicates a “weather watch.” The caption reads: “We have all the ingredients for a shawarma!”
Whereas the next illustration, the shawarma that is ready to eat, indicates a “weather warning.” The caption reads: “We are having shawarma right now!”
Some people in the comments on X found the post comical. One person called the analogy “awesome,” adding “now I’m hungry.” One person challenged Ottawa’s claim, saying “Toronto has better shawarma.”
In an effort to educate residents even more, the city put out a news release along with the shawarma social media post. The release further explained that “a watch is issued when weather conditions increase the potential for storm or severe weather.” A warning is an “urgent message that severe weather is either occurring or imminent.”
“During the summer, weather conditions, like heat and humidity, create the potential for severe storms. That’s why it’s important to stay updated with weather reports and always be prepared at home or on the road,” per the release.
Ottawa has faced extreme stormy weather in the past. Last summer, flash flooding occurred due to heavy rainfall, CTV News reported, and three tornadoes touched down in the city’s south end.
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