Origins

 

The term “Cuban lunch” came into use before WWI, during the Spanish-American War. A Cuban Lunch was a soldiers rectangular chocolate ration, and the slang term held on in common use.
When looking to make a rectangular chocolate bar after the war, the Paulin Chambers company adopted the term for their new confection, which was chock full of Spanish peanuts.

packaging

To hold the bar, a red fluted wrapper was used, and NOTHING else. Yes, back in the day, bars were not individually wrapped in cellophane. That modern food development came along after the 1950’s, to improve shelf life and the safety of Canada’s food chain.

At it’s main plant, located at 311 Ross Street, Winnipeg, the Paulin Chambers plant dutifully churned out the 5cent bars for decades longer than other bars of similar size.

the workers

Up until the 1970’s, the chocolate was scooped by hand into each cup, but that made way for a mechanized depositor as modern factory practices affected the making of Canada’s dry goods.

the Leader

 

Tom Toshio Yasumatsu (1938-2019) was the indomitable leader of a workforce of 400 Winnipeggers who produced the Cuban Lunch chocolate bar and other baked goods at the Paulin’s factory. He began working there at age 17, to support his family who’d been interned during WWII.

 His skills, intellect, and caring personality propelled him from that entry level job to the Directors role for the entire plant. Tom was loved, admired and appreciated by the staff. He later worked tirelessly trying to revive the factory and the jobs after it closed. Tom played a vital part in the history of the Prairies and Canadian foods we all love.

 Up until the 1970’s, the chocolate was scooped by hand into each cup, but that made way for a mechanized depositor as modern factory practices affected the making of Canada’s dry goods.

トム・トシオ・ヤウマツ(1938年~2019年)とはポーリン工場にて「キューバン・ランチ」というチョコバーをはじめとする様々な焼き菓子を作っていた約400人ウィニペグ作業員たちを指導する不屈の精神の持ち主でした。17歳の若さでその工場で働き始めたのは第二次世界大戦中に強制収容所に抑留されていた家族を支えるためでした。

その時与えられた下級職から工場長へと押し上げられたのは腕の良さ、知力、そして思いやりの心でした。すべてのスタッフに愛され、称賛され、そして重宝されていました。工場が閉鎖されたあとでも、その再開と失われていた工場員の雇用を回復するために辛抱強く戦い続けていました。トム氏はカナディアン・プレイリーズの歴史及びカナダの人々に愛され続けてきた美味しい食べ物の伝統に大事な役目を果たしました。

Paulin Chambers

Although still bearing the name Paulin Chambers painted boldly at the top, the factory changed hands many times. However, the group working there remained the same tight knit group of 400 workers who considered themselves “family”. At one point the plant was owned by Weston foods. And lastly, by Culinar.  

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Cuban Lunch

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eMail

canadiancandynostalgia@gmail.com

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CANADA

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