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L-R: Toronto Pearson International Airport Director of Commercial Development Mike Ross; Caplansky’s Delicatessen owner and chef Zane Caplansky (flanked by his parents); and HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Amy Dunne at the ribbon-cutting |
CANADA. HMSHost has teamed up with Toronto chef Zane Caplansky to open Caplansky’s Delicatessen in Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The deli will offer what it describes as “Jewish soul food” with an emphasis on quality, portion size and excellent service. Fresh ingredients are sourced from local farmers and suppliers, HMSHost said, and Toronto Pearson passengers can expect the same quality and taste as that found at the street side Caplansky’s location or from Caplansky’s traveling food truck, “˜Thunderin’ Thelma’.
In addition to deli favourites such as The Rubenesque, with house-smoked, hand-cut meat, swiss cheese, Russian dressing and sauerkraut grilled on fresh rye bread; and the Meatloaf Sandwich, served with tangy tomato sauce and red peppers and served on a ciabatta bun; Caplansky’s offers Jewish-style knishes with smoked meat gravy, salads, and a host of breakfast plates (such as the Leaning Tower of Caplansky – three pieces of thick cut challah French toast with layers of cream cheese, blueberry jam, and beef bacon) and home-style dinner entrees (such as the BBQ Beef Brisket – cooked low and slow covered in onion and tomato, then sliced with the braising juices reduced and seasoned with molasses and cider vinegar).
Zane Caplansky commented: “I couldn’t be more excited to work with HMSHost and Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) to bring the authentic flavours of Toronto favourite Caplansky’s Deli to the travellers and workers at the airport. This represents a huge step in Caplansky’s growth and we couldn’t ask for stronger, more experienced partners than HMSHost and the GTAA.”
He continued: “The truth is that the first time I saw the finished space I was overwhelmed with emotion. I simply couldn’t stop crying. Seeing photos of four generations of my family brought home the notion of how far I’ve come – from a pop-up sandwich shop in Little Italy to an international travel hub in a few short years. The photos also reminded me of the journey my great grandfather Benjamin Caplansky took. He arrived by boat over 100 years ago with a dream of a new life and now we’re feeding thousands of travellers on their way to fulfilling their own dreams. Dreams do come true. That’s what makes this new deli so special to me.”
GTAA Vice President, Customer and Terminal Services Scott Collier said: “At Toronto Pearson, offering culinary choice for our passengers who crave local flavours and familiar brands is what it’s all about. Caplansky’s Deli serves up the same delicious homemade food passengers will recognize from Zane’s popular deli, and I’m pleased to say that this brings not only an authentic taste of Toronto to the airport but an authentic Caplansky’s experience which is priced to match Caplansky’s downtown.”
HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Amy Dunne added: “Caplansky’s unique take on classic deli food will be an instant hit with passengers at Toronto Pearson, giving them the opportunity to get a taste of what one of Toronto’s own celebrity chefs has to offer. Zane is a unique culinary talent and we are so excited to have the chance to work with him and bring this amazing restaurant to the airport.”
Caplansky’s Delicatessen is the first of two locations Caplansky is opening at Toronto Pearson with HMSHost: Caplansky’s Snack Bar will open later this year in Terminal 1.
Some of the other highlights HMSHost is introducing at Toronto Pearson over the next year include The Hearth by Lynn Crawford; LEE Kitchen by Susur Lee; Twist by Roger Mooking; and Paramount Fine Foods (which opened last month). HMSHost will also open Bar 120: Cuisine Transformed with a menu developed by Modern Culinary Academy chef John Placko.
