Celebrating foodservice excellence at Restaurants Canada’s One Table
Last week, Restaurants Canada had the privilege of honouring our 2026 Awards of Excellence winners at One Table, our signature annual dinner celebrating the leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping our industry — and what an evening it was.
From Hemant Bhagwani, whose record of launching more than 60 concepts across North America earned him more nominations than any winner in the history of the Awards, to Jessica Kwon, who rose from her first kitchen role to Head Chef at Cactus Club Cafe while creating pathways for the next generation of culinary leaders, this year’s winners reflect the extraordinary talent, ambition and spirit that define Canadian foodservice.
Emily Butcher’s deeply personal, seasonally rooted cuisine at Nola and Bar Accanto in Winnipeg reminded us of the artistry at the heart of our industry. McDonald’s Canada demonstrated the power of sustained community investment, from McHappy Day’s $122 million raised for children’s charities to the more than 58,000 young Canadians currently employed across its restaurants. And Odla Restaurant in Saskatoon showed how seemingly small, everyday decisions about how ingredients are sourced, used and respected can add up to meaningful environmental impact.
But I have to say, my fireside conversation with Legacy Award winner Jim Treliving stayed with me long after the evening ended.
After six decades in the industry—beginning as a Boston Pizza franchisee in 1968 and helping build the brand into an over 400-location national powerhouse employing well over 20,000 people (more than 40% youth) and more than $1 billion in annual sales—Jim has seen it all. His candour about navigating challenging economic conditions, his unwavering belief in the resilience of independent operators, and his enduring optimism about the future of Canadian foodservice offered exactly the perspective this moment calls for.
Jim also spoke about legacy in its truest sense: not simply the business he built, but the more than $40 million raised for Canadian charities and the hundreds of franchise owners whose path to business ownership he helped make possible.
He is a remarkable person, and a powerful reminder of why this industry matters.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. You represent the very best of Canadian foodservice, and it was an honour to celebrate you.
You can browse a gallery of photos from the evening here.
We also unveiled our 2026 Foodservice Facts with a presentation by Chris Elliott, Restaurants Canada’s Chief Economist and Vice-President of Research. This year’s report highlights how challenging it has become for restaurants to keep price-conscious guests engaged while remaining profitable in the face of rapidly rising costs.
Download your copy of Foodservice Facts—exclusive to Restaurants Canada members—for the latest trends on where sales are growing, where traffic is shifting, what guests are ordering, what they’re willing to pay, and what they’ll expect next.
These insights also strengthen our advocacy work, giving us the evidence we need to bring the realities facing operators directly to government and policymakers.
Foodservice Facts Webinar with Chris Elliott
Join us for Foodservice Facts 2026 – Understanding the New Value Equation, on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET, presented with support from Uber Eats.
Drawing on the latest industry and consumer data, Chris Elliott, Chief Economist and VP of Research, will unpack the New Value Equation, reveal where dining behaviour is shifting, and explore where consumers are pulling back—and where they’re still willing to spend.
Most importantly, we’ll translate the data into what it means for operators: where opportunities are emerging, how expectations around value are changing, and what restaurants should be thinking about as they head into 2027.
A busy fall political agenda
The fall political calendar is now in full swing, building on what has been a very busy summer advocacy period for Restaurants Canada.
Parliament returned on September 21 and, following last week’s scheduled recess, MPs return to Ottawa again today. Provincial legislatures will also be returning in the weeks ahead, bringing renewed attention to government priorities, legislation and the economic pressures facing businesses and consumers.
At the same time, a number of major political events will shape the policy environment across the country. Quebecers go to the polls today, Alberta holds its provincial referendum on October 19, and British Columbia votes on October 24.
This busy fall builds on several months of sustained advocacy by Restaurants Canada. We have been engaging governments on major federal and provincial policy files, participating in consultations, meeting with senior officials and political leaders, and ensuring the restaurant industry is represented in important economic discussions. That work has included progress on key priorities such as the federal Productivity Mega Deduction, advocacy with Canada’s Premiers, and engagement around the Canada Investment Summit.
The political landscape will continue to move quickly this fall. We will be watching these developments closely and positioning Restaurants Canada’s priorities with new and returning governments, legislators and decision-makers across the country.
Showcase your rising stars: RC Show 2027 culinary competitions are now open!
Some of the most promising talent in our industry is already working in your kitchen, and now is the time to give them a bigger stage. Applications are open for the RC Show 2027 culinary competitions, and I encourage every operator to put forward the chefs and pizzaiolos ready to show what they can do.
The Garland Canada Culinary Competition showcases our country’s top emerging chefs, with a focus on championing women and chefs from equity-deserving groups. The RC Show Pizza Competition invites competitors to show their skills in one of two categories: Traditional or Creative pizza artistry. Both competitions offer a chance to compete live on stage in front of industry leaders, gain recognition, and build confidence and connections that can shape a career.
Applications close November 18, 2026. I hope to see your rising stars on stage at RC Show 2027.
In case you missed it: Direct Tips and a Deep Dive into Building a Tip Committee webinar recording
Last week, we hosted a webinar in partnership with Actual on managing tips and gratuities, including building a tip committee. If you missed it, you can now watch the recording here.
Kelly Higginson
