ICYMI: Iconic Calgary restaurant closes, tipflation reaches tipping point, and more

Here are five food stories you might have missed this week

The topic of tipping culture has been making the news on a fairly regular basis in recent weeks as “tipflation” continues to cause headaches for Canadians. Unfortunately for ginger beef-loving Calgarians, that won’t be a problem at the iconic Silver Inn Restaurant when it closes its doors for good in just a few weeks. 

With a number of expansions across the country, Toronto-based restaurant chain Paramount Fine Foods won’t be closing up shop anytime soon, but the restaurant’s investors are looking to close the door on its founder Mohamed Fakih.

Catch up on these stories and more in our weekly roundup of interesting Canadian food stories.

Calgary’s iconic Silver Inn Restaurant to close after almost 50 years

As the birthplace of ginger beef, Silver Inn Restaurant has been a Calgary culinary institution for nearly half a century. As such, the city was dealt a rather difficult blow this past week when the Tuxedo Park eatery announced that it will soon be closing for good.

The restaurant will serve its last meal on October 9, but the owners have hinted at the possibility of opening a new Silver Inn concept at some point down the road. 

Read the full story at CTV News.

Canadian tipping culture continues to cause headaches

Canadian “tipflation” has been a highly contentious topic for some time now, but as prices and—by extension—the expectation of gratuity continue to rise, many are hopeful that tipping culture in Canada will inevitably come to an end. 

Some businesses have begun looking at ways to do away with gratuities entirely, but because tipping has historically been used to supplement employee wages, it will likely be a long time before we see a significant culture shift.

Visit CBC News for more.

Tensions rise between Paramount Fine Foods investors and founder Mohamad Fakih

The owner and founder of Lebanese restaurant chain Paramount Fine Foods, Mohamad Fakih, is currently involved in a querulous court battle with investors to retain his position of officer and director of the chain.

The Order of Canada recipient has been long been lauded for spearheading community endeavours as well as numerous philanthropic food-focused efforts around the globe, so the accusation that he has been using investments for his personal benefit does feel like a bit of a stretch.

Head to the Financial Post for the full story.

PEI food community steps up in the aftermath of Fiona

Although the state of P.E.I. is far from returning to its pre-Fiona glory, the local food and beverage community has been using what resources they have left to both feed and shelter their fellow Islanders.

From Thai Pad food truck to Water Prince Corner Shop, to the P.E.I. Community Fridge and many more, it’s always incredible to see how Canadian hospitality steps up to support their local communities. 

Check out this story from CBC News to read more.

Young Canadian chefs help change Asian food narrative

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Vancouver Sun shared an interesting story this week about how young chefs—including Canadian-based chefs like Eva Chin and Nutcha Phanthoupheng—are rewiring and modernizing the narrative around what Asian food is in North America. 

Read the full story here.