Canadian restaurant run by HIV-positive staff aims to smash stigma

[ansible]

A group of Canadian gourmets is hoping to smash misconceptions about HIV transmission one plate at the time by opening a pop-up restaurant run entirely by staff infected with the virus. Located in Toronto, the restaurant called June's on Tuesday was serving its first meals prepared by HIV-positive cooks to dispel any notion that food preparation can spread the virus.

Wearing aprons printed with such messages as "Kiss the HIV+ cook" and "I got HIV from pasta. Said no one ever," June's 14 HIV-positive cooks will be serving customers who prepaid to reserve their tables. The idea of June's came in response to a survey last month that found only half of Canadians would eat food prepared by someone with HIV.

The survey was conducted by Casey House, a non-profit that planned the pop-up, or temporary, restaurant, said the group's head Joanne Simons. Casey House provides health care for people with HIV/AIDS. HIV is spread when infected fluid enters the bloodstream, but not by sharing food, according to health authorities.

June's will be open just two days, serving 200 customers who bought reserved tickets for C$125 ($98), Simons said. The tickets sold out in less than two weeks and, with such strong demand, another restaurant run by HIV-positive staff may be in the offing, she said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/08/canadian-restaurant-run-hiv-positive-staff-aims-smash-stigma/

[angstlessk]

1. I love me some pasta....but

We are so very ignorant about the disease (or whatever it is(see how ignorant I am))

But I am glad people who know about it are rallying. I hope they use it as a learning opportunity. Cause I need me some learning!

[Egnever]

2. Nice sentiment but I predict an epic failure

Despite the strong opening night.

[jmowreader]

3. They only planned to be open two days

Think of it as performance art with food.