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CANADA. HMSHost has revealed details of its new food & beverage line-up taking shape at Toronto Pearson International Airport over the next two years, with a strong focus on concepts driven by celebrity chefs.
Over a dozen new dining locations will open in Terminals 1 and 3 in three phases, beginning in summer 2014. The project is set for completion in 2015.
Among the highlights will be The Hearth, developed in partnership with Lynn Crawford. Asian Kitchen by Susur Lee, in partnership with Susur Lee, and Twist, with Roger Mooking.
Greater Toronto Airports Authority Associate Director Retail and Food Janine Gervais said: “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible culinary talents to Toronto Pearson. Delivering a world-class food programme and creating memorable experiences for travellers is our focus at Toronto Pearson.
“Together with our long-time partner HMSHost, we will deliver an exciting range of restaurants featuring ethnic cuisine, comfort food and halal options that are sure to delight our passengers. With completion of this project in 2015, Toronto Pearson will have an extensive collection of dining experiences with the greatest number of chef-inspired restaurants of any airport worldwide.”
Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford, chef-owner of Ruby Watchco in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, is partnering with HMSHost to open The Hearth, featuring a menu built around hearth-fired flatbreads, fresh salads, sandwiches and small plates.
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Meanwhile, Master Chef Susur Lee, named one of the “˜Ten Chefs of the Millennium’ by Food & Wine, is partnering with the concessionaire to open Asian Kitchen by Susur Lee. Known for his unique use of techniques from classical French to traditional Chinese, Susur will marry his famous culinary creations to develop bistro-style entrees with modern Asian and French influences.
Another local celebrity chef, Roger Mooking, is working with HMSHost on Twist, using locally sourced North American comfort foods on menu items such as Splat Scones, made with Devonshire cream, lavender honey, and peameal bacon.
HMSHost and Paramount Fine Foods will present Paramount, a Middle Eastern restaurant featuring the freshest Ontario barbeque grilled halal meats, and favourites such as shawarma made with exotic spices, freshly baked pita bread, hummus, sandwiches and pizza, among additional Middle Eastern dishes. It will have two locations at the airport.
Another partner in the project is Zane Caplansky, who is working with HMSHost on Caplansky’s Deli, a traditional Jewish deli offering breakfast plates, deli sandwiches and home-style dinner entrees. Caplansky’s Snack Bar will offer hot sandwiches made-to-order and other grab and go snacks and both locations will feature a bar serving local beers and wines.
Among the other concepts being opened at the airport is the exclusive new Bar 120: Cuisine Transformed, with a menu development by modernist chef and molecular gastronomy expert John Placko.
HMSHost will round out its new offerings with its own restaurants The Local and Farmers Market, both featuring quick, healthy (including gluten-free) grab-and-go items made with fresh, local ingredients. It will also open Barcuterie, featuring cured meats, cheeses, craft cocktails, local beers and wines, as well as a Starbucks coffee outlet.
HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Renee Tedesco said: “HMSHost is extremely proud to be partnering with the most renowned group of chefs from Toronto, and soon we’ll be able to introduce travellers to the most amazing dining experiences that exemplify this diverse and exciting city.
“The kind of talent and unique style these chefs bring will create a culinary experience beyond compare for travellers.”
