Recipefiesta

There are so many bars, alleyways, shops and gardens I want to explore – but right now, its confidence and self-assurance seem unimaginable

I can feel the damp of that late-evening heat. It made my skin glisten as I stood shoulder to shoulder on the balcony of a Tokyo hotel with my fiance, an espresso martini chilling my fingertips. Below, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace sprawled in the darkness, bats swooped above the trees and warm August rain began to plop between the leaves. Wrapped in cool silk gowns, we stood in silence watching Shinjuku’s lights strobe and wink across the city. The soundless vision betrayed the roar of life below: gloved teens playing solo dance games in arcades, late-night shoppers clutching bags and bubble tea, drinkers doing shots in Golden Gai, friends paying for ramen at vending machines, and lovers kissing by the light of red lanterns.

This was five years ago, our first time in Japan, a place I had delayed visiting until I’d met the person with whom I wanted to make those memories. Like many I had bought into Sofia Coppola’s soft-focus illusion of the country (in her 2003 film Lost In Translation) as a kaleidoscope of karaoke, cat cafes and mad crossings, but I quickly realised her film was a reductionist insult.

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from Travel | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3cs7V2w

There are two types of people in this world — the ones who prefer peppery bak kut teh and the ones who prefer the herbal version. There’s no sitting on the fence for this one. It’s all about personal preference.

Whatever it is, this soupy dish just seems to have this magical ability to kick start your appetite, even if you weren’t hungry in the first place. And one of the best parts of bak kut teh isn’t even the dish itself, it’s the side dishes that come along with it. Preserved vegetables, vinegar pig trotters and braised intestines — all part of the package.

We’ve compiled this guide of 15 bak kut teh places in Singapore that are offering islandwide delivery during this period.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/365bkt/

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BALESTIER BAK KUT TEH

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Balestier Bak Kut Teh has seen generations of customers faithfully patronising them for their solid peppery broth. They’ve become so popular that even tourists recognise this name.

If you stay within 2km of them, congratulations! You get to enjoy free delivery with a minimum order of S$10. For areas beyond a 2km radius, there’ll be a delivery fee of S$5 to S$10. But you’ll get free delivery if you spend S$60 and above!

Contact +65 6258 8159 for orders between 12pm to 12am and +65 6951 4798 for orders between 12am to 5am.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/founderbakkutteh/

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FOUNDER BAK KUT TEH

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One of the most popular bak kut teh restaurants in Singapore, Founder Bak Kut Teh has really made quite a name for itself over the years. Just look at the mosaic of celebrity photographs plastered across the walls of their shops and you’ll know.

Their peppery broth has got a feisty kick to it, perfectly complementing the fork-tender ribs.

Enjoy free delivery islandwide with a minimum spending of just S$30. Place your orders at least one day in advance to secure your slots.

WhatsApp +65 8896 5136 to order.

Photo Credit: Lim Ai Li

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HONG JI BAK KUT TEH

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If you’re looking for claypot-style herbal bak kut teh, you’ve hit the jackpot. Hong Ji’s Claypot Bak Kut Teh comes packed with ingredients, all drowning in a mildly herbal broth.

Lunch delivery is from 11.30am to 1pm while dinner delivery is from 5.30pm to 8pm. Do order at least 1 to 2 hours in advance. There is a minimum order of S$20 and delivery fees range from S$8 to S$12, depending on distance.

WhatsApp or call +65 9799 2614 to order.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/jiabinklangbakkutteh/

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JIA BIN KLANG BAK KUT TEH

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Have you ever had Malaysian bak kut teh? Well, Jia Bin Klang Bak Kut Teh is a good place to start. Their Klang-style bak kut teh looks dangerously herbal, but is actually really gentle on the palate and slightly sweet.

For something a little different, their Dry Bak Kut Teh is not to be missed. Mixed pork cuts, dried cuttlefish and other ingredients are stir-fried in their signature broth — really good stuff.

Hit a minimum spending of S$58 and enjoy islandwide delivery with a flat fee of S$5.

Call or WhatsApp +65 9140 8228 to order.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/joosiahbakkootteh/

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JOO SIAH BAK KOOT TEH

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You just can’t go wrong with flavourful peppery broth and fall-off-the-bone ribs. And that’s exactly Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh’s forte. They also offer crowd favourites such as Braised Pork Belly and Braised Pork Leg.

If you stay in Jurong East, Jurong West, Taman Jurong or Boon Lay, you get to enjoy free lunch (11am – 12pm) and dinner delivery (5pm – 6pm). Simply hit a minimum spending of S$15.

For other areas, islandwide delivery is available with a minimum order of S$30. Delivery fee ranges from S$4 to S$10, depending on distance.

They’re closed on Mondays.

WhatsApp +65 9111 8129 to order.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/kamparclaypotfood/

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KAM PAR CLAYPOT BAK KUT TEH & CHICKEN RICE

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Kill two birds with one stone by ordering from Kam Par, which offers both claypot bak kut teh and claypot chicken rice. Rich broth in one hand and sizzling rice in the other — ah, what a life.

Delivery is available from 9am to 8.30pm daily. For deliveries to the West area (Teck Whye, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Gombak, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang), there is a minimum order of S$10 with a delivery fee of S$3. Hit S$40 and you get free delivery!

For delivery to other areas, do order one day in advance. Delivery fee will be advised.

Contact +65 9481 8480 to place your order. Alternatively, you can place your order via their order form here.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/koonbkt/

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KOON BAK KUT TEH

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Bak kut teh and zi char dishes? We’re sold. Koon Bak Kut Teh’s menu is winning us over with its enticing variety. Think superior chicken stews, salted egg clams and even luncheon meat fries?!

If you want an easy fuss-free meal, you can opt for their bentos which range from Sesame Oil Chicken to Deep Fried Pork Belly.

There is a flat islandwide delivery fee of S$8.

Order via their Oddle platform here.

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KOTA ZHENG ZONG BAK KUT TEH

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This famous bak kut teh claypot restaurant from Johor Bahru cooks their soups over charcoal flames, promising full-bodied broths packed with flavour. Their signature Herbal Claypot Bak Kut Teh s stewed for at least an hour and a half, simmering with the essence of over 15 Chinese herbs.

Delivery is from 12pm to 9pm daily with customers given the options of lunch (12pm – 2pm) and dinner (5pm – 8pm) time slots. Delivery fees range from S$8 to S$12, depending on location. A minimum order of S$30 is required for delivery.

Order via their in-house form here.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/legendarybakkuttehrangoon/

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LEGENDARY BAK KUT TEH

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Flaunting a pepper-style bak kut teh, Legendary Bak Kut Teh is founded upon long-standing recipes that’s been passed down generations. Fresh Indonesian pork is used to ensure clean-tasting broths free of any gaminess.

The deliver every day from 9am to 11pm. They’re offering free delivery to all customers who hit a minimum spending of S$60.

WhatsApp 65 +9645 0125 to order.

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NG AH SIO BAK KUT TEH

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One of our favourite bak kut teh restaurants in Singapore, Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh’s robust broth and premium ribs have been drawing the crowds for over 60 years.

Their delivery menu offers bak kut teh sets for hassle-free meals, catered to both solo diners and bigger families. Individual servings of various braised ingredients are also available.

Get 20% off all takeaway and self-collection orders at their Rangoon Road outlet!

Place your order via their Oddle platform here.

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OUTRAM PARK YA HUA ROU GU CHA

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Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha needs no introduction. This establishment has been featured extensively and everyone knows about their famous bak kut teh.

If you’re craving for a mean bowl of bak kut teh, you can count on them to do the job.

Order via their Oddle platform here.

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OLD STREET BAK KUT TEH

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Is it just us or is Old Street Bak Kut Teh in almost every shopping mall? Not that we’re complaining since it is so accessible.

We recommend going for their set meals which come with rice, youtiao and silky soft beancurd. Besides their bak kut teh, have a go at their range of zi char dishes too, from salted egg prawns to assam fish head.

Minimum order of S$50 is required for delivery. Delivery is available daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

Order via their in-house online platform here.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/rongchengbkt/

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RONG CHENG BAK KUT TEH

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Meet the self-proclaimed bak kut teh establishment that pioneered the clear broth in Singapore, as well as loin ribs. But, not only that, they’re also the first shop we’ve come across to have udon bak kut teh!

That’s right, we’re talking Sanuki Udon flown in from Japan. Doughy noodles backed up by a strong broth — a genius combination.

Get your udon bak kut teh through their islandwide delivery service via GrabFood. Delivery charges vary with distance.

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SONG FA BAK KUT TEH

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If you didn’t already know, Song Fa Bak Kut Teh was the first bak kut teh establishment in Singapore to have been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Their delivery service is available from 10am – 8.30pm daily. Hit a minimum spending of S$30 for delivery which goes at a flat fee of S$3. Enjoy free delivery when your order hits S$50!

WhatsApp +65 9383 6049 to order. Or, you can order from them via their islandwide GrabFood delivery service. Delivery charges vary with distance.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/tuanyuan.sg/

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TUAN YUAN PORK RIBS SOUP

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Opened by the same family behind Outram Park Ya Hua Rou Gu Cha, Tuan Yuan Pork Ribs Soup dishes out the same respectable standard of bak kut teh. Even if you’re on team herbal, Tuan Yuan Pork Ribs Soup is sure to convert you. Their divinely tender ribs are every carnivore’s dream come true.

Enjoy S$5 off your first online delivery order with a minimum spend of S$50. Enter the code “TYBKT5” upon checkout. They’re also offering free delivery for orders above S$100!

Order via their online platform here.

 

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TUGA Singapore and SPRMRKT are two new restaurants at Dempsey we came across when we were in the area for some takeaway food. The TUGA Portuguese restaurant is new to Singapore while SPRMRKT is a familiar name without vowels. TUGA Singapore Portuguese Restaurant TUGA Singapore is a Portuguese restaurant that hails from Taipei, Taiwan. I...

The post TUGA Singapore and SPRMRKT – 2 New Restaurants at Dempsey appeared first on The Ordinary Patrons.

from Singapore Food Blog – The Ordinary Patrons https://ift.tt/3ckNKDm

Residents at 300 Front Street West are frustrated that management hasn't put a stop to short-term rentals in the building. 

"Our safety is genuinely at risk," one tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, told blogTO. 

This isn't the first time 300 Front Street West has come under fire for continuing to allow short-term rentals during the pandemic. In April, CBC reported that condo owners were continuing to rent out the units despite government regulations. 

In a letter shared with blogTO from the condo board, a ban on short-term rentals was issued on April 8 and the key exchange was stopped immediately. But these measures haven't been enough to fix the problem, according to one tenant. 

"This building feels like a by-the-hour motel for hookers," they told blogTO, detailing numerous incidents that have escalated enough to warrant calls to the police. 

For example, a month ago someone was stabbed in the building during an altercation. Police later arrested a 25-year-old man and charged him with aggravated assault.  

But just a little over a month later another fight  broke out in the hallway that was so aggressive the police had to come break it up.   

The incident reports the tenant has submitted to management describe people in the lobby with suitcases, multiple large parties and a revolving door of people being allowed into the building without keys or fobs. 

"There have always been short-term rentals in the building. Property management usually helps facilitate the short-term rentals by holding keys with the concierge and booking through Del Suites. When COVID-19 became a bigger issue, management stopped accepting keys and urged owners to enter long-term leases," they said. 

But a quick search through Del Suites site shows there are still plenty of condos available for short-term rentals. 

"What’s happening now is owners are putting keys in lockboxes out front, literally hanging [the boxes] on a tree next to the Starbucks, and just having guests bypass the concierge completely," explained the tenant. 

When blogTO reached out to the Toronto Standard Condominium​​​​​​ Corporation No. 2238 (TSCC2238),  who governs 300 Front Street West, they said that they were aware of the situation. 

"The Corporation actively monitors its property to ensure that lockboxes are not posted in contravention of its governing documents. We are aware of two lockboxes which have been installed on City of Toronto property nearby to our building (but off of our property) and have contacted 311 to have them removed," they said in a statement.   

And while there hasn't necessarily been more short-term tenants coming in the building than usual, the tenant blogTO spoke with did note that the type of people coming into the building is concerning. 

"I witnessed a parade of escorts coming into the building while waiting for Uber Eats to show up," they said, adding that him and his girlfriend almost got into altercation with some of the short-term tenants in the elevator when they began making racist remarks. 

"We’re not happy about the situation," they said.  "[Management] won’t interfere with people coming into the building with suitcases and the concierge told me that if someone has keys, they’re allowed in. I was shocked at how little effort they’re putting into this." 

The tenants blogTO spoke to say they fear for their safety and feel powerless about the whole situation. 

"Management [needs] to actually enforce the rules. Tracking the keys and fobs, imposing minimum lease-terms and actually speaking to the owners would go a long way," added the tenant. 

TSCC2238 assured blogTO they're doing what they can to enforce the regulations and emergency orders. 

"If the Corporation becomes aware of owners who are renting their unit in breach of the emergency orders, it has and will continue to take appropriate enforcement action to obtain compliance," they said.

They also noted that short-term rental accommodations were allowed if they're for people who need housing during the emergency period – like healthcare workers who need to self-isolate. 

 "Outside observers should not assume that all persons arriving at our property are doing so in violation of the emergency order," said TSCC2238. 

Many Canadians are just becoming aware of the appalling conditions in long-term care homes after a military report was released on Tuesday, but for Sharon Chandar it's been her everyday nightmare for the last two years. 

"Bed sores, pneumonia, left in diapers for hours daily, undressed wounds, left in bed clothes covered in urine, physically abused, left on the floor with a broken hip ...," Chandar listed all the horrible things she witnessed. "It didn't get worse over COVID. Now COVID is showing what has happened before."  

In 2018 Chandar moved her 74-year-old mother, Gloria, into Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre after taking care of her full-time for two years.  

"I felt fortunate and lucky that my mother was in the home. I felt proud that she was in this home," she told blogTO in a telephone interview. 

The home appeared to be clean, well kept, had nice facilities and Chandar was promised full-time staff to look after her mother who has Alzheimer's, diabetes and strict dietary needs.

But soon Chandar noticed that things weren't what they appeared.

Sometimes it was little things like despite Chandar's clear instructions not to give her mother beef or pork because she's Hindu, they still fed it to her.

There were also more concerning issues, such as Chandar frequently finding her mother soaking wet, having been left in soiled diapers for hours on end. Or the staff not properly cleaning her mother, instead slathering her genitals in barrier cream that gave her sores and several infections. 

She attributed it in part to the floor being frequently understaffed.

"The [nurses and personal service workers (PSW)] are at a 200 per cent capacity. They're overworked and underpaid. At times there was only one PSW for 30 residents," she said. 

Villa Colombo Vaughan have not responded to requests for comment. 

Sharon Chandar shared this photo of her mother's diapers while in care at the long-term care home.

Chandar also noted that staff who are brought in from temporary agencies were never brought up to speed on the care plans of the residents. 

"One agency PSW told me: 'We go in blindly'. They're just told which rooms [they're] looking after," she explained.

And the lack of staff meant that sometimes when Chandar asked for help with her mother she was blatantly ignored. 

"The nurse ignored me and wouldn't come look at her mother despite me telling her that something was wrong," Chandar said, speaking of an incident where her mother had a vaginal infection that needed medical attention.  

Another time when a Villa Colombo resident was being aggressive and racist toward Chandar, she went to ask a nurse to get the situation under control. 

"The nurse laughed and ignored it," Chandar said in disbelief. 

The situation with the resident escalated and Chandar ended up snapping and yelled at them; a misstep that got her banned from Villa Colombo Vaughan for a month as it was deemed abuse. 

"They threatened that if I ever come on the property they will call the police and charge me with abuse," she said. 

This particular incident was investigated by the ministry and, according to Chandar, to get both sides of the story they would only speak to the resident in question and Chandar's mother, who can't speak due to the Alzheimer's.

"That's discrimination!" said Chandar, who is her mother's power of attorney and her only advocate.

"They ignored my voice and told me to move my mom or I will be banned. My mom shouldn't be the one who is being effected by all of this." 

Shortly after Chandar was able to move her mom to a different floor in the home. Her mother's care improved but then the pandemic hit and things quickly spiraled. 

The home closed mid-March and residents were eventually confined to their rooms after five cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on the floor. But family was allowed to see their loved one's via FaceTime. 

"The first time she was smiling and laughing. The second time she wouldn't wake up. She refused to open her eyes. The third time she looked ghastly pale. I didn't understand what was happening," recalled Chandar. 

But the staff told her everything was "fine". 

"She's 'fine'? Was I seeing something no one else is seeing? I questioned my sanity over and over," Chandar said.

Sharon Chandar shared this photo of soiled diapers at the long-term care home.

Turns out her mother had a raging fever, although tested negative for COVID-19, and hadn't been eating. On April 21, Chandar was then given permission to go into the home to try and get her mother to eat. 

"I took a look at my mom and I was mortified. I didn't know what I was looking at. I thought she was a cancer patient. She was ghastly white, her skin was dry, she was contorted in a pretzel. Her legs were bent out of shape, she was laying on her back moaning, and crying," she said.  

Her mom had an infection in both eyes that had gone undiagnosed and untreated. She hadn't been fed anything but water in four days and had also developed pneumonia in both lungs.  

"No one noticed any of this! I was bawling my eyes out because I'm leaving her in a nursing home and she's gone through so much in the last two years. She has no voice. She can't tell them that she's in pain or that she has pus in her eyes. All I see is she's flinching and I don't know why! My heart is breaking for my mom," she said through tears. 

When the pandemic hit most of the regular staff left and were replaced with workers from temporary agencies and this caused even more problems.  

"Nobody's around. There are supposed to be four people on staff," she said, describing her difficulties getting staff to get medication, assist residents in pain or to change diapers.

For example, after Chandar finally got antibiotics for her mother, the combination of her existing medication with the new antibiotics gave her mom severe diarrhea.

While Chandar brought up concerns that the mixture of drugs was problematic she was told it was "fine". 

Yet, her mom was left sitting in her soiled diapers for hours and as a result developed open wounds and bed sores. None of which were treated, Chandar alleges.

"Every day I woke up I was afraid that they would stop me from coming to see her and that was the last time I would ever see my mom," she said. 

Then one day Villa Colombo Vaughan told her she was no longer going to be allowed into the home to help care for her mother. But after she showed them a picture of her mother's condition she was granted a few more days.

On May 14, Chandar made the decision to remove her mom from the care facility to live out the rest of her days at home.

"My mother is my world. If my mom is going to die, she will die at home with dignity, love, and respect. I made a mistake to believe she was better off. I failed her when I put her in long-term care. I listened to others tell me it was the best thing for her. I put her life in the hands of a corporation looking for profits and cost containment. I failed her," she said. 

Gloria is now back at home with her family, but many other people are still inside the long-term care facility. 

According to Villa Colombo Vaughan's website, 18 people have died from COVID-19, but Chandar says many more died from lack of care. 

"There's no care and they're left in the corner to die. This has been happening for the last two years to my mom and many other people. They are left in their rooms, confused, crying, suffering, neglected.  It has to stop! They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,"she said.

She emphasized that it's not the nurses or PSW's fault, but rather places blame on the corporations who run the homes and the government. 

"These PSWs and nurses are so undervalued. They're heros. This is the responsibility of the corporations and the government to be on top of it. They should be held accountable."

"My mother suffered because of the management and the ministry of long-term care is 100 per cent aware of what's happening. No one cares for the elderly because they don’t generate cash flow," she added.  

Takeaway and delivery is the way to go since Circuit Breaker started in Singapore, and with Singapore reopening the island in phases, it will still be at least another 4 to 6 weeks before we can dine out at restaurants. Here are some of the meals we had at home in the past month, and hopefully it helps if you are looking for some inspirations. Violet Oon Singapore Satay Bar & Grill Another concept of VIolet Oon Singapore, Violet Oon Singapore Satay Bar & Grill is available for delivery and takeaway. We like the heavy flavours of the local Peranakan delights we tried, such as the VO Street Satay which is served with a spiced ground peanut sauce with fresh puree of pineapple along with a side of steamed rice cakes. Another dish we highly recommend is the Ayam Panggang Berempah with Nasi Kuning, which basically is grilled chicken marinated in milk and spices accompanied with a serving of glutinous and jasmine rice infused with turmeric steamed with coconut milk. Other dishes we tried and took a liking includes the Eggplant with Sambal and the Garam Asam Barramundi with Pineapple and Ginger Flower which features locally farmed Barramundi. Enjoy free [...]

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Protesters marching on Bloor Street West yesterday for Regis Korchinski-Paquet had bleach thrown on them from an upper floor apartment.

The bleach was thrown from the window of an apartment at 436 Bloor Street West above a Home Hardware.

This dude pours water on protestors. Racism is alive and well in Canada. #torontoprotest pic.twitter.com/rx2A29DwWP

— elliston (@ellistonmusic) May 30, 2020

Photos show an angry crowd of hundreds of people below. Video shows a huge bucket of liquid being thrown out of a window which quickly shuts and protesters shouting in opposition from the street afterwards.

436 Bloor St W in Toronto the man who lives up there took it upon himself to walk toss a bucket of bleach on protesters today so if anyone feels like paying him a visit 🤷🏻‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/9rEK08DJ7V

— sandy ₍˄·͈༝·͈˄*₎◞ (@sndgms) May 30, 2020

At first, protesters even thought what was actually bleach might have just been water, but those splashed below are saying that it was in fact bleach.

I was there when it happened. This man is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/tEdTvcuGqp

— J (@__jjennyy) May 30, 2020

While bleach is a dangerous and harmful substance and a huge amount was hurled out the window, social media reports indicate that no one was directly hit or seriously hurt by the attack.

I don’t think anyone got directly hit. It splashed on me a little bit. Someone hurled an orange at the window after tho. Hopefully he didn’t do it again later. Thanks for sharing.

— tristan bannerman NYT (@pirateflotilla) May 30, 2020

Apparently someone threw an orange at the apartment window after the bleach was poured.

we were walking with the crowd down the street, he opened his window to yell at protesters and that is why we all stopped initially, then he came back with the bucket.

— sandy ₍˄·͈༝·͈˄*₎◞ (@sndgms) May 31, 2020

People are also reporting on social media that initially a man in the apartment came to the window to yell at protesters, which is why they had stopped outside the apartment before the bleach was thrown.

Yesterday's protests were peaceful overall, with no escalation to violence from the participants.

A Toronto restaurant known for its all-you-can-eat perogie nights has become another casualty of the pandemic.

Tennessee Tavern will never reopen, according to a statement by owner Grant van Gameren.

"We're saying goodbye to Tennessee Tavern, which is tough," said Gameren. "I loved that place but I just don't think heavy, Eastern European comfort food is the best concept right now. I wish we could have had a sendoff: one more night of all-you-can-eat pierogies.

In true Gameren fashion, though, the Tennessee space isn't laying dormant. It's been re-purposed into a Detroit-style pizza and burger place that's already open for takeout.

"In its place will be Gianna's Pies and Patties, a place for burgers and Detroit-style pizza, which we don't have a lot of in Toronto, or at least not in the west end," said Gameren. "It'll be a neighbourhood spot where people can grab a beer and a burger or a pizza and watch the game—whenever sports come back."

Gameren's other restaurants El Rey and Rosalinda have already reopened for takeout, Harry's has been operating out of Bar Raval, Bar Piquette is reopening as a wine and mortadella sandwich shop, and Quetzal's massive open fire is being put to use for a new concept called Don Pollo selling Sinaloa-style grilled chicken and sides.

Loblaws wrote to inform customers that a worker tested positive for COVID-19 at yet another store recently.

The worker tested positive for a presumptive test, and was last in the store on May 26.

Customers who recently transacted at the 50 Musgrave location of Loblaws near Victoria Park and Gerrard were notified of a worker there testing positive.

The store was thoroughly deep-cleaned and sanitized overnight while it reached out to health authorities to investigate the worker's direct contacts and recent shifts, and any potentially exposed staff were instructed to self-isolate.

"We will work with the local public health team on any further directions and encourage you to reach out to them if you need more information," concludes a letter sent to customers, which was posted to Facebook.

Stuck at home and struggling with boredom, a Toronto family decided to foster ducklings this spring. The three ducklings brought a little joy to the family, said Roncesvalles resident Cristina Dias, mother of two teens.

“The kids are coping with so much now being isolated from their friends,” said Dias.

Dias said her 13-year-old son heard from a friend about Critter Visits — a Kawartha Lakes area farm, which runs a duckling foster program.

“He would not stop bugging us,” said Dias.

The ducklings roamed around the house, swam in the bathtub and fell asleep in the kid's hands.

The ducklings swim in the Dias-Sorry family bathtub.

The ducklings were tiny when they picked them up on April 30 but grew to the size of a football three weeks later when they brought them back.

“They get big very quickly within the first week they (nearly) tripled their size,” Dias said.

Taking care of the ducklings was not only a diversion but a learning experience for the kids.

“I think they learned about empathy in taking care of something that is so little and vulnerable.”

It was a fun experience but there is some dirty work.

“They poop everywhere.”

Dias said neighbourhood friends heard about her experience and have also decided to foster ducklings.

Critter Visits owner Karen Woolley said the duckling program is popular. This year more than 2,000 ducklings have gone out to foster families since just before Easter.

“With COVID people really needed to have a pet when they couldn’t have a pet,” Woolley said. Those thinking of fostering ducklings should check local bylaws. Toronto’s animal bylaws technically prohibit keeping ducks and there is a $240 fine.

The boom in business led the 40-acre hobby farm to hire eight more people and bring in duck breeders from across Ontario to provide more ducklings.

The farm has a COVID-friendly pick up system. The ducklings come with a manual, food, shavings and other supplies. Families drive to the farm and load up everything without contact.

It's not too late to foster some ducklings this year. Woolley said the plan is to keep the program going through to September.