SHOW PREVIEW
MEET AND GREET
A new pizza pavilion and an appearance by Dan Aykroyd will bring fresh flavour to Toronto’s annual Restaurants Canada Show BY HELEN CATELLIER
T
echnology has changed how operators make their purchasing decisions, but it’s always important to take new products on a proverbial test drive. The Restaurants Canada Show, being held from March 1 to 3 at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre, allows restaurateurs to do just that. It connects nearly 13,000 foodservice industry decision-makers with more than 350 exhibitors annually. “We’re looking to create a venue where our suppliers can engage our members and the visitors on a much higher level to ensure we’re delivering value,”
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says Donna Dooher, interim president and CEO at Torontobased Restaurants Canada. During the three-day event, show attendees will connect with industry peers, shop for products and services and sit in on seminars and culinary demonstrations about the latest innovations. “People are looking for tips, tools and ideas on how they can improve the bottom line of their hospitality opera-
tion, so a lot of the seminars will be targeted to that question,” explains Dooher. Such insights can be found at the Barmetrix customer service and profitability workshops, which will show how to simplify a customer-service strategy, reduce staff turnover and more. Meanwhile, the molecular cuisine workshop is a hands-on session showcasing cold tools and techniques, such as liquid nitrogen and spherification. Led by chef John Placko, a leader in molecular gastronomy, the session will demonstrate how these techniques can be applied in a restaurant. “It’s not just about spending $500 for dinner on molecular gastronomy. You can incorporate some of those unique aspects into your day-to-day menu,” notes Dooher. The themed pavilions are also popular attractions. The new Pizza Pavilion will showcase the art and craft behind making the perfect pie. Interactive demos will include a Pizza Games
Showdown where acrobatic pizza tossers, box folders and dough stretchers will compete for a spot at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas in late March. Once again, celebrities will abound at the show. TV personalities Lynn Crawford and Anna Olson will be joined by actor and entrepreneur Dan Aykroyd, who will headline the signature breakfast event March 3. The co-founder of the Hard Rock Café and House of Blues is also behind Crystal Head Vodka, a spirit blended with water from Newfoundland and filtered through Herkimer diamonds. “He’s building a great brand — a Canadian brand,” Dooher says. “It’ll be interesting to hear him talk about some of the challenges he encountered, where he sees growth and what his plans are for the future. From a business perspective, it’s always nice to hear those stories and be reassured that when you get up every day and unlock the front door to your restaurant, it’s all good.” l
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