An illuminating examination of the history of food in Ottawa and the National Capital Region — an area with a culinary culture that has developed significantly in the last two decades. During the past 20 years the food scene in Ottawa has changed from a landscape of pub grub-driven dining to a vibrant environment for trendy eateries and forward-thinking chefs. The once bland and mundane culinary culture has been transformed, and the result is an array of destination restaurants and purveyors of high-quality food and drink products. Many of these new and successful players leverage the nearby farms — nearly 2,000 in total — and artisan food makers that can provide a huge range of ingredients and possibilities.