By Jessica Brill Chef Ric Allen-Watson’s story is one of resilience and a commitment to making the world a better place. Born in Kingston, Ontario, to a mother living with schizophrenia, he faced significant challenges from an early age. By the time he was seven, he had taken on responsibilities well beyond his years—regularly walking […]
Ned Bell, chef, author, speaker, and advocate, began his culinary journey early in life, falling in love with cooking and its ability to bring family together. He started washing dishes at the age of 14 in a neighbourhood restaurant, and following high school, Chef Ned attended Dubrulle Culinary School, beginning a long and impactful culinary […]
By Jessica Brill Historically, employees in the foodservice and hospitality industry face unique stressors like long hours, inconsistent scheduling, minimal time off, little to no work-life balance, and often, unhealthy work environments. While these conditions have been highlighted in recent years, the focus on the industry’s culture and mental health crisis has been a long […]
A chef’s love for cooking lasts a lifetime, as they share their passion, build connections, and express their creativity – all while continuing to hone their craft. The special ability to blend old-world traditions with today’s trends, imparting their knowledge, diving into flavours, and passing on rich histories makes chefs such a valuable part of […]
Chef Nuit Regular opened up her first restaurant, Curry Shack, in Pai Thailand in 2003, working as a nurse by day and taking on the role of chef by night. While cooking began as a family chore, helping her mom in the kitchen built the foundation for her recipes, flavours, and the love she now […]
Chef Stéphane Levac got a later-than-traditional start in the foodservice industry, choosing hospitality in his 30s after his son was born and his family made the move from Ontario to Nova Scotia. Self-taught Chef Stéphane and his partner Sarah began their culinary journey together by catering her parents’ anniversary party, an endeavour that led them […]
By Jessica Brill The foodservice industry has spent the last few years in recovery mode amid supply chain disruption, inflation, and labour shortages, but some restaurants have found a way to thrive through it all. By focusing on relationships from the top down, prioritizing staff, and strengthening partner relationships, Beertown continues to grow, providing guests […]
By Jessica Brill Contrary to what many may believe, exceptional food doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag, even when searching for Michelin rated restaurants. These days, many consumers are stretching their dollars, but despite the challenges, eating well isn’t off the table. The highly coveted Michelin stars focus on excellence in fine […]
Fun, simple, and elegant. Those words best describe chef Emily Butcher’s vision in co-creating Nola, a new-concept restaurant in St. Boniface, Winnipeg. Partnering with Burnley Place Hospitality to open in 2021, the restaurant has thrived as one of Canada’s Top 30 Restaurants in 2022, finding its niche with foodies in the local culinary scene. CFRN […]
The restaurant industry has seen so many changes over the last few years and is in recovery mode, but even with the continuing surge in delivery and takeout, more Canadians are making reservations and visiting restaurants now than ever. In fact, the rebound in indoor dining has been so strong that Canada and the US […]
