Heinz Ketchup is not a condiment…it’s a way of life. “Heinz Ketchup” is a redundant label; if it’s not Heinz, it’s not Ketchup. Using “catsup” and other imposters is sacrilegious. This is why I sacrificed a pair of shoes for a bottle of Heinz in my backpack when I toured Europe. It’s no coincidence I have received three “I put Ketchup on my Ketchup” Heinz t-shirts from three different people. I even named my dog “Heinz!” Perhaps Heinz Ketchup’s true “Fan of the Century” would name her child “Heinz.” In that case, I suppose I’m only the second biggest fan…
L. MacCharles, Hamilton, ON
You know you’re a HEINZ KETCHUP fanatic when strangers stare in awe at every hotdog stand, your favourite NFL team is based around the fact they play on HEINZ field (Go Steelers!!), you saved millions of single-serve packets for 6 months before traveling to teach in Kenya out of fear of being unable to eat without Ketchup. My favourite meal was Ketchup sandwiches, was interrogated in Louvre security for a ‘Family Size’ bottle in my purse, and the Ketchup Queen who still just can’t get enough. All I can say to all the above is “HEINZ is the only KINDZ”!
K. Kennedy, Downsview, ON
Heinz Ketchup has always been a part of our family. It reminds me of childhood when on Sunday afternoons, as a treat, dad would take turn in the kitchen and make chunky French fries. He'd set up a blanket on the living room floor for a “picnic” and we'd lie on our bellies, watching the Sunday afternoon movie and eat dad's French fries - each fry was carefully dipped into Heinz Ketchup. Every time I dip a French fry into Heinz Ketchup it takes me back to our family time together - dipping French fries into Heinz Ketchup with dad.
J. Robinson, Ottawa, ON
I have childhood memories of endless taunts from classmates due to my obsession with Heinz Ketchup. Even now, people stare with judgment in their eyes as I squeeze arguably too much of the perfect condiment on just about everything. I can’t help myself. I never leave home without an emergency stash of Heinz packets in my purse. Keys? Check. Lip gloss? Check. Heinz? Double check. Never a mathematician, I don’t know how much Heinz I could buy with $25,000 ... but I imagine it’s a lot. If loving Heinz this much is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
K. Mouland, Hastings, ON
My passion for Heinz Ketchup was exceeded only by my uncle's distaste for the product. How to convert him? By convincing him there were Heinz Ketchup lovers like me worldwide. I had family and friends who travelled globally, anonymously mail him packets of Heinz Ketchup from the four corners of the globe extolling the virtues of Ketchup with food of all cultures. This went on for three years, driving my uncle nuts. My Aunt thought he should call Interpol. Finally one Christmas he placed Ketchup on his dinner table. He proudly stated nothing goes better with turkey than Heinz Ketchup.
R. Czutrin, Toronto, ON
Heinz Ketchup is not a condiment…it’s a way of life. “Heinz Ketchup” is a redundant label; if it’s not Heinz, it’s not Ketchup. Using “catsup” and other imposters is sacrilegious. This is why I sacrificed a pair of shoes for a bottle of Heinz in my backpack when I toured Europe. It’s no coincidence I have received three “I put Ketchup on my Ketchup” Heinz t-shirts from three different people. I even named my dog “Heinz!” Perhaps Heinz Ketchup’s true “Fan of the Century” would name her child “Heinz.” In that case, I suppose I’m only the second biggest fan…
W. Woodfield, Cambridge, ON
At 82 I'm the Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century! I owe my longevity to my daily intake of Heinz. Even during the Depression I always had Heinz. At my wedding my father toasted us with a bottle of Ketchup and said, "It'll work if you don't forget the Heinz." He knew it was the key to my heart. My wife of 58 years has never forgotten, and I enjoy that traditional Heinz taste at every meal, along with my children and grandchildren, who admire the 'red stuff' as much as I do. Thanks for a lifetime of great taste!
J. Thomson, Scarborough, ON
Canadian Ketchup Queen stranded on island. 6,000,000 sheep, no Heinz ketchup. The Alternative-Tomato Sauce. Survival Outlook-Ultimate Death. The S.O.S. Call-"Mum when you visit, please bring Heinz!" Troops Rallied-Family, friends, neighbours gathered at the safe house with the Heinz. The Mission-Toronto-California-Hawaii-Australia-New Zealand. 18,592 kilometers with one suitcase of Heinz ketchup and parents sporting their best "Poker Faces". Interception-Australian Customs. Suitcase opened-mother’s undies fall out! She had packed them around the 24 bottles of Heinz to protect them! Customs laughed so hard they released my parents and the ketchup Mission Accomplished!
P. Woodworth, Northfield, NS
My boyfriend, Lance, is the sweetest, funniest person I know. So when we finally decided to move in together we talked about what was expected of the other, what jobs would be who’s…you know, just the routine relationship stuff. In his words, he told me, "Honey, there is only two things I will ever ask of you". Thinking that he was talking about love, loyalty, trust, something along those lines, he followed by saying, "Make sure you always have Heinz ketchup and soft toilet paper. This is why I love him.
E. Casey, Iron Bridge, ON
Thirty-six years ago I worked my first job waitressing. When the owner of the restaurant instructed me to put another brand of ketchup into empty Heinz bottles, I was astounded. Didn’t he realize the customers would know? Heinz Ketchup isn’t just a bottle and label. The Heinz name represents quality. Heinz Ketchup has a taste all its own, whatever you put it on. I refused to fill the ketchup bottles. Some things just aren’t negotiable. I was the Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century standing up for ketchup fans everywhere.
E. Collins, Dartmouth, NS
My husband has travelled all over the world during his 25 yrs. of military service, and the time apart was hard on our family, but I was never so lonely as when he went off to war torn Rwanda during the Rwandan Genocide. So I sent him a care package with Kraft dinner and Heinz ketchup (a must have with KD) and a date and time to dine with It. On that date we both dined together and, although miles apart, we felt together. On the anniversary date each year he gives me Heinz ketchup, Kraft dinner, wine & flowers.
K. Schaffhuser, Leamington, ON
I am the Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century because to this day my family still reminds me of the time I bought a hotdog from a street vender while in Toronto, but they didn't have Heinz Ketchup. So, instead of using an inferior ketchup I carried that hotdog with me on the subway back to where we were staying so I could put Heinz Ketchup on it. Let me tell you it was worth the wait! They asked why I didn't either use the other ketchup or eat it plain. My response was simple; unless you're a Heinz ketchup fan you just wouldn't understand...it's not about the hotdog...it's about the Heinz ketchup.
K. Johnson, Calgary, AB
This is about my son who eats Heinz Ketchup at every meal; with everything. Even when he was sent to war torn Bosnia in 1992-93 he would get me to mail bottles so he could eat it with his rations. His life long love of Heinz Ketchup even brought him to the point, that about 2 years ago he had a bottle tattooed on his leg. So now everyone sees that his taste goes beyond his mouth or words, for his love of Heinz Ketchup. I have enclosed a picture of my son and his tattoo. This is short and sweet because I think the picture say's it all.
J. Borden, Fredericton, NB
Our family never lets any ketchup other than Heinz pass our lips! It’s the best tasting ketchup and we appreciate all the hard work that goes into that smooth tomato goodness. My grandfather used to grow tomatoes for Heinz and my father used to pick them and drive truckloads to the factory. I love knowing my ketchup is made right here in Canada and that it has only improved over the years. I love thinking outside the bottle; using Heinz in recipes, baking and recycling my empty bottles into flower vases! Heinz is MY Ketchup. Always has been, always will be!
S. Ruel, St Etienne de Lauzon, QC
I’m the Heinz ketchup fan of the century because: 1) As a child, my mother caught me pouring ketchup on my toothbrush 2) I was once told that my red hair comes from eating too much ketchup 3) On our first date, while eating poutine my boyfriend said: It’s more like you have ketchup with poutine than the other way around! 3) In Cuba, I paid a fellow Quebecker 25 pesos ($30 CAD) for 5 tiny Heinz Ketchup packets! 4) It was a friend of mine who sent me the link to this contest because she thought it was “so me”.
D. McKinnon, Edmonton, AB
When I had sleepovers as a child, I brought my favourite stuffed animal and a bottle of Heinz Ketchup. Some things aren’t worth the risk, even at six. I may have left my youth behind in the 20th century, but I kept my passion for the red stuff. A constant in my fridge, like unrecognizable organic matter, it cools the overheated, flavours the bland, and makes the unfamiliar familiar. I ask for it by name in Asian restaurants, I spread it on my Italian. It’s the multicultural, multipurpose condiment. Centuries may change but one thing is certain: Heinz Ketchup.
S. Whitney, Prescott, ON
Our daughter is your biggest fan! Having Down Syndrome and Autism, she has difficulty walking, generally uses a wheel chair for long distance and has limited vocabulary. She got up from a family reunion where no name ketchup was served and said "no!" Amazingly she walked up the hill to our cottage, went into our fridge to get the Heinz Ketchup and walked back down the hill! She sat down and put the Heinz Ketchup bottle on the table in front of her and said in a sad voice "There! Ketchup help please!" Heinz Ketchup motivated her to walk that distance!
P. Sinnott, Nepean, ON
I'm Patti, originally from PEI ~ AKA Canada’s Potato Capital. My husband Chris’ Grandparents had a Tomato farm in Leamington ~ Ketchup Capital. At The Stompin' Tom Connors Show in Charlottetown "Ketchup Loves Potatoes" was sung. Our friends proclaimed "That's you guys!!" And so we were! We incorporated this theme into our wedding and had "Ketchup Loves Potatoes" sung for us. We wanted some unique wedding favours and had personalized Heinz Ketchup bottles made to give out. Heinz Ketchup is the one and only for our household! Thank You Heinz for playing a role in the best day of our lives!
E. Karnilowicz, Whistler, BC
I am a flight attendant and I cannot travel without my Heinz single serve packets. I use them on the food I eat onboard and even in restaurants all over the world. I take them with me to Asia, Europe and Australia. Australia is a little more difficult as I have to declare ALL food items and Heinz Ketchup always gets me sent to secondary for food inspection. (Well worth it, even after a 16 hour flight) I tell them I have to have my Heinz on everything.
C. White, Bear River, NS
I am the #1 Heinz Fan. I chose not to marry the man I thought was my soul mate because of my love for Heinz Ketchup. He was a chef and my love for ketchup tore us apart. He'd get so upset that I had to "ruin" his dishes with ketchup, I'd sneak packets of ketchup at the table, hide it....a bit like an affair! It was the huge deciding factor for me when I decided to call it off!!....So thanks to Heinz, I have found my true soul mate...and he loves ketchup almost as much as me!!
J. Tate, Penetanguishene, ON
Not only am I the Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century....my whole family is. As you can see from the picture, we are such enormous fans that SANTA actually brings our family a bottle of Heinz Ketchup. SANTA brought the first Heinz bottle over 8 years ago and we actively hunt every Christmas morning to unwrap the Heinz Ketchup bottle as the first present opened. It's a great tradition for us. If SANTA knows that we are the Heinz Ketchup fans of the century, then you should too. (SANTA only brings Heinz - because there's no other kindz.)
J. Minnery, Brantford, ON
3 days a week, my 84 year old dad cooks me french toast, as he has for my whole life. Every time he cooks, it's served with Heinz Ketchup. As dad is getting elderly and unable to walk without a cane and becoming feeble, he still finds the strength to cook me my breakfast. I know we don't have many years left and his time is limited but I cannot look at a bottle of ketchup without thinking of our time together nor realizing that when he's gone...it will be my reminder of my dad. Thank you Heinz for 43 years of love!!
G. Young, Halifax, NS
My reason for being the Heinz Ketchup fan of the century is that I served in the Royal Canadian navy from 1962 until 1988 and have traveled the world. Whatever country we went to, we always felt at home eating our meals ashore because we had Heinz Ketchup to go with them. Just gave you that good feeling of being back home in Canada with your family. The taste that always tasted like home. I am still the biggest Heinz ketchup fan of the century.
S. Smith, Ottawa, ON
I have always been obsessed with Heinz. When I was little, my brother and I fought everyday over the ketchup. One day, he told me we could share the bottle and each have half. Then he told me he would take the top half, I could have the bottom half! My fondest childhood memories are of fighting over the ketchup bottle (and Heinz is still the only brand for me). When I got married my brother sent a very special gift; a handmade wooden box lined with blue satin, and in the middle was, finally, my very own bottle of Heinz!
M. Starbuck, Slogan Park, BC
There was no tomato juice for my Dad to have in his beer, so he used Heinz Ketchup! He eats it on his morning toast, in his chicken noodle soup at lunch and of course there it is on his plate of pork chops at supper time! While waiting for Mom to shop, he was sitting in the vehicle and got hungry. Looking around he found pouches of Heinz Ketchup, snipped the tops off, placed each package tightly between his teeth & with a quick pull he emptied each one. Now those are a favorite snack!
M. Anderson, Amherstburg ON
Heinz Ketchup has saved my marriage! Don't ask me...ask the gods of fate but this city girl ended up marrying Canada's biggest redneck who lives for his hunting and fishing. Thanks to his successful prowess in the bush and lake, our diet consists completely of venison and pickerel. Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband but some days I love Heinz Ketchup more when that juicy hunk of venison is staring back at me from the plate. Thanks to Heinz Ketchup, the harmony in our life and marriage are intact. Now please pass the ketchup.
J. Larocque, Ottawa ON
The Ketchup Fan of the Century is a person of integrity. One who will never compromise for a lesser quality ketchup. In his mind, no matter the type of food, ketchup will always improve its taste. Because of this, he will go out of his way to make sure that Heinz Ketchup is available for his delight wherever he may go. The Ketchup Fan of the Century keeps emergency Heinz Ketchup packets in his pockets, briefcase and office desk at all times. I am proud to say, that I am that fan!
J. Hodkinson, Victoria BC
I am Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century because it was even used when I proposed to my wife (Heinz Ketchup is part of my life). I proposed with Onion rings and Heinz Ketchup, I placed the Heinz Ketchup as a dot to represent the diamond in the "onion ring", and she said "YES". Ketchup was good, marriage turned out great, it's good!
S. Moore, Douglas MB
I know I am the Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century because I put Heinz Ketchup on absolutely everything like popcorn (my personal favorite), rice and Heinz pickles. I have a collection of Heinz Ketchup paraphernalia on top of my fridge that I dust lovingly once a week. My nickname in school was Heinzie and I always kept a bottle in my locker cause you never know when some other Heinz Ketchup lover will snitch all the packets from the cafeteria. I save the empty bottles to make lanterns for my patio at the lake.
M. Maillet, Laval QC
I am the biggest Heinz Ketchup Fan of the Century because I have developed a new phobia: the fear of running out of Heinz Ketchup. When I’m at the grocery store, I just can’t help myself; I have to throw a bottle of ketchup into the cart. With a dozen spare bottles in my cupboard, I often give them away as a hostess gift. People expect to get a bottle of wine, but a bottle of ketchup is more original and sure to be appreciated. I then know for sure that there is Heinz Ketchup everywhere I go.
C. Womack, Windsor ON
Growing up, I was dubbed “The Ketchup Kid” because I loved eating ketchup on absolutely everything, and consumed it in unprecedented volumes. My parents (out of necessity) bought it by the can, and I fondly remember the dusty shelves in my dad’s tool shed, lined with Heinz Ketchup cans full of nuts and bolts and other hardware. Three decades later, I am raising the next generation of Heinz Ketchup lovers. My kids know that if a food can be dipped, dunked or smothered, it is better with Heinz.