Issue 48, Number two
[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]housands of foodservice professionals attended this year’s Restaurants Canada Show at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre from March 1 to 3. The annual event offered myriad culinary innovations, demos, competitions and educational seminars.
The show kicked off with a presentation from Mark Dempsey, director of Client Development for NPD Group in Toronto, speaking in a seminar about the growing $400-million fast-casual segment. Since 2003, fast-casual has seen solid gains in the U.S., including five years of double-digit growth, whereas quick-service and full-service have seen flat to declining growth rates, he said, citing NPD CREST data. “The silver bullet of foodservice is loyalty,” noted Dempsey. “Loyal customers spend $4 more at fast-casual than those who go for convenience.”
Back on the showroom floor, Krista Emery and Heidi Ahrens from Toronto’s Humber College won the Frankie Tom-atto’s Restaurant Innovation Competition for their idea of addressing the shortage of skilled workers. According to their proposal, high-school students would be invited to colleges and universities for one week of hands-on training with instructors, chefs and industry icons. They won $3,000, plus free sessions with various organizations to help bring their vision to life.
Meanwhile, Dan Aykroyd, Canadian icon and Saturday Night Live alum, charmed attendees during several appearances, including the Industry Night Out where he performed a few blues numbers. During the breakfast event at Toronto’s Allstream Centre, Aykroyd regaled the audience with stories from his television and film career. These days, Aykroyd produces Crystal Head Vodka, a premium brand aimed at the 25+ crowd. “We don’t target the spring-break [crowd]; this is a fine product that goes in a fine steakhouse or a fine restaurant,” he boasted. “That’s why I did it. I wanted to do it better.”
Amidst the sampling of food products and kicking the tires of new restaurant equipment, Restaurants Canada executives also held their annual AGM. The association welcomed Paul Methot, VP of Operations at Pizza Pizza, as the organization’s new chair. “This industry has given me so much; now it’s time to give back,” he said. Methot stressed the importance of continuing to fight for issues that impact foodservice. “Our industry deserves greater recognition. We’re the growth industry that never stops growing.”
