77 pounds of haggis for dim sum and traditional one pounders, to be served with Chinese Lettuce Wrap


Haggis display at the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow, Scotland.  The furry figure top left is described as a "wild haggis".  The bottom right figure wrapped in plastic is described as a "domestic haggis".  - photo T. Wong

There are 77 pounds of haggis that I have just picked up from Peter Black & Sons at Park Royal South in West Vancouver.  I will deliver them to Floata Restaurant tonight, enroute to my appearance to "Address the Haggis" at the Burns Supper for the Vancouver & District Labour Council.

Many people outside of Scotland revile the poor wee haggis.  It is the butt of many jokes.  While in Scotland, I visited the Kelvingrove Museum and even found a display of a "wild haggis."  (see the picture above).  There was an accompanying sign that read: 

A "ceremonial haggis" should be "as lang's my arm" in length.  It is also called a "piper's haggis", because it is piped in at dinners on a large serving plate for everyone to see.
Dim Sum can be translated as "pieces of the heart" or "touch the heart" or "pieces of heaven."  These are small portions of food that are succulent and delicious.  But what happens when you add haggis to this little heavenly morsels?  Will haggis, one of the world's most celebrated and reviled foods ascend to the celestial kingdom?

But you cannot give a proper "Address to A Haggis" if it's already cut up into little wee piece.

Traditional Scots still like to see a traditional haggis at a Burns Dinner.  We serve a one pounder of haggis to each table.  It might be not enough for 10 Scots guests - but it is more than enough for 10 non-Scottish diners.  To solve the problem we encourage people to share.

We also serve a 7 pound banquet haggis that is "as lang's my arm" to our head table.  This ensures that it is pretty in pictures... as well as extra leftovers for any of our guests.


Bagpiper Joe McDonald does the honours at the 2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner - photo VFK.

Watch Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson cut up the haggis at the 2009 Dinner

Gung Haggis Fat Choy 2009 8 min - 29 Jan 2009 www.youtube.com

Now imagine layering a little bit of haggis with Chinese plum sauce, adding crispy noodles, finely diced vegetables and Chinese water chestnuts, and serving on a delicate leaf of lettuce.  This is our Gung Haggis lettuce wrap, a cultural and culinalry fusion twist. But people say they have never seen people eat so much haggis, or eat haggis so quickly!

And what does our traditional haggis maker think of all this?

Peter Black describes himself as a haggis rancher.

In 2006, we were paid a high compliment when haggis rancher Peter Black attended the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner with his family!  Peter loved what we had done with his haggis.

Peter Black & Sons, at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver, is BC's largest producer of haggis.  Peter's haggis is a family secret with extra spices.  It is different from a traditional lard recipe - which I have occasionally gagged on.  I describe a Peter Black haggis to be like a nice liver pate, suitable for serving with crackers at your next Super Bowl party.

Be sure to visit Peter Black & Sons at Park Royal South - because there is an annual display of "live wild haggis."  Often the haggis is sleeping, and you have to be very careful not to disturb it - but if you're quiet, you can sneak up on it.


Peter Black & Sons with family at the 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner, linking hands to sing Auld Lang Syne to bring a finale to the dinner event - photo Ray Shum

Here are some of the menus from our past dinners:

2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy menu revealed... to welcome the Year of the Ox

2008 Gung Haggis Fat Choy menu announced: now with Mongolian Beef to celebrate Year of the Rat

2007 Menu for Gung Haggis Fat Choy™:Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner

2006 Menu for Gung Haggis Fat Choy™: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner - Celebrating the Year of the Dog

2005 Menu for Gung Haggis Fat Choy� at Floata Restaurant