From February 28th until March 3rd, the RC Show—a leading foodservice and hospitality event—offered a full lineup of solution-based content, interactive experiences and networking opportunities, all centered around the theme of “Feeding the Recovery.”
This year’s show aimed to reunite the hospitality industry and prepare businesses for what lies ahead. As a whole, the idea of the show was to offer solutions to help businesses survive—and even thrive—in these challenging times. With panels and events that aimed to discuss how to “rebuild, reinvent and reconnect,” the show provided incredible insight into the food industry’s past, present and future.
The 4 day action-packed virtual event brought the industry together through way of innovation and technology—and in and of itself, demonstrated how creative and resilient the industry is. Leveraging a custom built, dynamic platform developed by NexTech AR Solutions, the seamless, uncomplicated platform elevated this event, allowing thousands of industry professions to tune in from anywhere in the world.
Some of the biggest industry chefs and leaders including Roger Mooking, Massimo Bottura, Michael Smith, Danny Meyer, Jim Treliving, and Janet Zuccarini took the stage for panels and demonstrations. With 150 global experts contributing to the world-class, solution-based content, the RC Show was a resounding success.
- Four RC Show signature events came to life online including:
- Opening Night Reception
- Everyone’s favourite cocktail competition Beyond The Rail
- Breakfast With Champions where some of the industry’s biggest leaders and innovators came to network and inspire
- The Garland Canada Culinary Competition, which highlighted some of the country’s best talent and this year was committed to providing equal opportunities for all chefs, especially women with 50% of the top spots held for female and BIPOC talent
- RC Show Feeding the Recovery boxes provided a taste of the show to quality buyers across the country and offered opportunities to sample product and grow relationships
- A virtual visit into Garland-Welbilt Canada’s test kitchen to show the latest equipment using AR technology
- A live chicken farm tour, followed by a “meet the farmer discussion” and Q&A session about Canada’s poultry sector
- An opening ceremony that took viewers to the top of the mountains of Peru
- Opening day was dedicated to addressing issues specific to independent operators, with industry leaders sharing stories of how their businesses pivoted to survive
- The launch of a government funded International Buyers Program to help attract global speakers and buyers supported in part by a contribution from CanExport Associations, a program of Global Affairs Canada
- Trailblazers were acknowledged for their contribution to the growth of the industry and their resilience, from ground-breaking innovation to social advocacy and sustainable efforts. A full list of RC Show 2021 competition and excellence award winners can be found by visiting rcshow.com.
- Media had the opportunity to attend a virtual lunch session with a live cooking demonstration with Chef Carl Heinrich of Toronto’s Richmond Station. With fresh ingredients dropped off at our doorstep, we followed along as Chef Heinrich taught us how to prepare the delicious meal, while sharing his story of how he adapted through the pandemic and handled the industry reset. In the afternoon, the bar was transported right into the comfort of my own kitchen with a cocktail session. With three unique cocktail kit pairings, we got to hear from Quebec Spirits, Civil Liberties, and Joey’s.
“Hearing the first-hand accounts of how restaurant operators quickly and effectively adapted gave the industry a sign of hope and optimism that brighter times are ahead,” says Barclay. “The pandemic devastated the foodservice and hospitality sector, with more than 380,000 fewer jobs than there were in February 2020, and eight out of 10 restaurants either losing money or barely scraping by, but we haven’t given up hope. The solutions that were shared on RC Show’s stages showed just how resilient and innovative this industry is.”
For more information and for those who missed the live show, you can still purchase a ticket for unlimited access to all the stage sessions at www.rcshow.com.
Canada’s leading foodservice and hospitality event showcasing cutting-edge products, pioneering people and transformative ideas. Attendees can shop, taste, learn, connect and grow their business with multiple days of business-building action, including featured areas, competitions, workshops and RC Hospitality Week events tailored to educate, motivate and lead the industry. RC Show includes the latest trends, a dynamic selection of innovative products, and influential speakers assembled from around the globe, designed to help operators grow their businesses. An annual event not to be missed. Learn more at www.rcshow.comAbout Restaurants Canada
Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing the potential of Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s foodservice sector was a $95 billion industry, directly employing 1.2 million people, providing Canada’s number one source of first jobs and serving 22 million customers across the country every day. The industry has since lost hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in sales due to the impacts of COVID-19. www.restaurantscanada.org