AJAX, Ont. — Smoke’s Poutinerie Inc. announced the sudden passing of Ryan Smolkin on Sunday at the age of 50.
“It is with great sadness we announce that our friend and CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer) Ryan Smolkin died on Sunday October 29 at 7 p.m. due to unexpected complications from a recent surgery,” reads a release from the company. “The entire Smoke’s Poutinerie family mourn this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Ryan’s family.”
Smolkin was a successful property capitalist and branding guru who formerly owned one of Canada’s top branding and design companies with a roster of industry leading clients including Nike, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Sims Snowboards, Molson Breweries, Corus Entertainment and YTV. He founded Smoke’s Poutinerie in 2009 and became known as the Chief Entertainment Officer (CEO). Smolkin was a visionary leader, a legendary innovator, a true Canadian business/cultural celebrity, a social-media influencer, and an experienced international speaker. His message was strong, candid and always delivered with an unmatched unique style and unbridled energy.
Smolkin always said that one of the secrets behind his success was to surround himself with the right people, “and while the team at Smoke’s Poutinerie will never fill the emptiness left from this loss, they will continue to fuel his dream, the Gravy Train, with the passion and care that he has instilled in each of them, building on his vision of global domination,” reads the release.
As directed by Smolkin prior to passing, the company has announced that newly appointed president and COO, Mark Cunningham will take the lead seat on the Gravy Train. Cunningham is a franchise industry veteran of more than 25 years and Smoke’s Poutinerie long-time Chief Operating & Business Development Officer. Cunningham and the whole team will ensure that it’s business as usual with the same goals, vision, and direction that Smolkin built the brand on.
“Ryan was passionate about many things… one close to his heart was his long-time relationship with We Care, whose vision is Enabling kids with disabilities to realize their full potential,” states the release. “As the charity of choice of the foodservice industry, they partner with companies to raise money to send kids with disabilities to fully accessible Easter Seals summer camps across Canada.” In 2016 Smolkin created the CEO Challenge in support of We Care, where leaders of the food industry sign up to raise money and compete in a friendly Poutine Eating Challenge. The event is held annually during Smoke’s World Poutine Eating Championship (WPEC) and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for We Care. In his memory, this event will now be known as “The Ryan Smolkin CEO Challenge in Support of We Care.”
Smolkin became a director of the We Care Board in 2018 and never stopped thinking about the kids. In lieu of flowers, he had requested that a donation be made in his memory through this link, to help send a deserving kid to camp. (http://wecare.kindful.com/?campaign=1277496)
