5 tips to attract and hire the best talent for your patio

By Matt Parkin As the warmer weather approaches, restaurants are gearing up for the busy patio season. However, finding and hiring qualified staff to meet the increased demand can be a challenging task. In this article, we will discuss five effective staffing strategies to help your restaurant attract and hire the best talent for the […]

Making the most of your summer patio

By Megan Prevost By July, most restaurants are deep into their summer patio season. But are you making the most of your outdoor space? Having an outdoor seating option is a huge draw for any local restaurant and even more so when the patio itself has added features not found within the regular restaurant.  Setting […]

Alberta dog-friendly patios no longer need AHS approval

Alberta just got more pup-friendly, as the provincial government has announced that dog-friendly patios no longer need approval from an Alberta Health Services inspector. Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops will be allowed to welcome dog owners to eat outdoors without any red tape. Previously, a foodservice business had to request authorization from AHS before allowing […]

Vancouver patio program amended by City after criticism

The Vancouver patio program has been amended at short notice by the City following high-profile criticism from the foodservice and hospitality industry. The 2022 guidelines for summer patios at restaurants, bars, and breweries had come under fire from industry associations such as the BC Craft Brewers Guild and the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association. […]

Toronto opens registration for 2022 CaféTO program

The City of Toronto has announced that it has opened registration for its extended 2022 CaféTO program and is now welcoming applications from restaurants and bars. Operators in the city who are interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into the curb lane and onto sidewalks can register and apply through a new streamlined online […]

Win free advertising for your restaurant’s patio

Across Canada, restaurants and foodservice operators face a vitally important summer of both indoor and patio dining as they look to continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Operational support is out there from the government and independent initiatives like the Ontario Restaurant & Bar Support Fund. But getting the word out […]

Ontario restaurant patios can reopen from Friday, June 11

Restaurant patios in Ontario began reopening from Friday, June 11 as part of the province’s newly outlined reopening plan. Step One of the plan started on Friday, three days earlier than had been previously planned. The most pertinent news for restaurants and bars is that all outdoor patios in the province are now able to […]

Quebec patios reopen as curfew lifts after nearly 5 months

Dining on Quebec patios can begin again from Friday, May 28 as the province-wide curfew is lifted after nearly five months. Quebec has been under a curfew since Jan. 9 but the province is finally starting to relax measures as the COVID-19 picture continues to improve. From Friday evening, outdoor dining can recommence, albeit with […]

Fine dining during COVID-19 at Delmanor communities

By Chef Divakar Raju As we approach our third full “season” of COVID-19, it’s not just the infection that is impacting our population, it’s also anxiety, stress, isolation, and depression. In addition to being at higher risk of complications from the illness than other segments of the population, older adults are also vulnerable to the […]