Positive signs for 2019!

Destination Canada reported in November that international visitors were up 2% YTD, putting Canada on track for another record year. STR analysts pointed to those visitors as a main driver of healthy hotel demand.

Smith Travel Research (STR Global) reported on January 25 that for 2018 overall, Canada's hotel occupancy increased 1% to 66.3%, ADR was up 4.3% to $163.40CDN and RevRAR up 5.3% to $108.39CDN — and on top of that, the absolute occupancy level was at its highest since 1999.

Restaurants Canada has forecast 2019 foodservice sales will increase 4.4% in 2019, including menu increases of 3% and real volume increases of 1.3%. That's following a 5.3% increase in 2018, but 2019 represents a greater “real” increase in volume as opposed to menu price increases.

Those are all positive indicators for Canada's hospitality industry and you can find more details on our blog.

But to deliver on the promise of those indicators you need people, and so does your competition. The challenge then becomes one of competing successfully to find those people. Fortunately, we can help!

To give you some ideas of what we could deliver for you, we've showcased below a few examples of candidates we've worked with and roles we've worked on in today's exciting hospitality world.

FEATURED CANDIDATE PROFILES

         General Manager — Hotel/Resort  |  Rocky Mountains
         Regional Manager — Casual Dining/QSR  |  Ottawa
         Executive Chef  |  Vancouver
         VP/Director of Finance  |  Calgary (open to relocation)

FEATURED SEARCH PROFILES

         Vice President — Food & Beverage  |  Montreal
         Director of Culinary Services  |  Toronto
         Restaurant Manager  |  Toronto
         Corporate Events Sales Manager  |  Vancouver

General Manager — Hotel/Resort  |  Rocky Mountains

This award winning, global hotel, hospitality and tourism professional has extensive experience in multiple business portfolios across the Middle East & Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean. Their experience spans independent brands, management companies, resort & island properties, large business and boutique hotels. They've held corporate positions responsible for multiple properties, and been General Manager of individual medium and large size full service high end properties across Canada. With a strong focus on community engagement, they're a constant networker and ambassador, sitting on boards, supporting associations and building talent pipelines in tight markets. In their last role as GM for a 250 room hotel and conference centre, this proven operator helped move their hotel from #4 on Tripadvisor to #1 in only 13 months, and it has remained the #1 ranked property for over two years. While there, they also oversaw deployment of more than $15 million in capital investment. This highly skilled operator's key strengths lie in effective management of full cycle business portfolios, creating and optimizing revenue streams through effective sales and marketing strategies, and building winning teams that can establish culture and business values that are rewarding for guests, associates and owners alike. What could someone with that skillset do for your operation?
 

Interested in candidates with this type of profile?

Regional Manager — Casual Dining/QSR  |  Ottawa

Are you looking for a strong senior leader in the challenging Ottawa market? One with a track record for beating targets, building rapport, and delivering on the bottom line? With experience in the central and eastern based markets, this experienced Regional Manager's career started with a leading QSR giant, and went on to include senior positions with both corporate and franchise organizations. Transitioning to full service, this foodservice specialist has successfully demonstrated their strength in fostering high performance teams with the vision, sustained focus, and skills required to take key performance goals and incorporate them into well-defined strategic directives. Currently overseeing 30+ units, both corporate and franchise, this results-driven operator has helped deliver 25% growth over the past 4 years through new openings and the implementation of stronger operational systems. This proven operator thrives on blending the creation of exceptional customer experiences with real world challenges of driving profitability. Could they do that for you?

Interested in candidates with this type of profile?

Executive Chef  |  Vancouver

We don't often come across candidates with this combination of credentials and training! Having worked exclusively in Four Diamond and Relais & Chateau properties, this highly professional Chef reflects the best talent in Canada's culinary scene. Building on a lifelong interest in food, what began as a “job” in the 90's quickly transformed into a passionate, life changing career. Having trained in multiple highly acclaimed dining rooms across Canada, this talented Chef has developed a passionate, disciplined and progressive approach to the world of food. Raised in Ontario, they have enjoyed tremendous career growth, including time working at 2 of the five properties in Canada that have been awarded the prestigious CAA/AAA Five Diamond Dining designation. With a goal of expanding their culinary range, this passionate culinary professional relocated from Ontario to British Columbia to apprentice with Canada's top chefs. They have now further expanded their skills and repertoire with food true to the region and seasons, while continuing to win praise and accolades from locals and visitors alike. They're currently considering their next move and are open to opportunities across the country. Should one of those be yours?

Interested in candidates with this type of profile?

VP/Director of Finance  |  Calgary (open to relocation)

This highly effective financial and operations executive has 15+ years single and multi-venue hotel and resort experience, including responsibility for restaurant, casino and entertainment operations. With both operational and corporate international experience in the EU, Canada and the Caribbean, they have excellent business acumen, with a proven record for effectively implementing and improving systems, margins and profits. This highly flexible business professional has worked on pre-opening development, opening, concept rebranding and M&A. They are currently overseeing all the financial aspects of a large multi-venue hospitality group ranging from branded restaurants to large entertainment centers. As the company continues to grow its portfolio, this dynamic finance professional is at the forefront of the design and implementation of all the company's financial reporting, while playing a lead role in assessing the feasibility of new real estate acquisitions. This seasoned professional is a pro-active, flexible, hardworking and enthusiastic leader with a good sense of humour and loads of common sense. How much of an asset would they be for your organization?

Interested in candidates with this type of profile?

Currently open!

Vice President — Food & Beverage  |  Montreal

Our client is one of Canada's most progressive and contemporary hotel brands, which they demonstrate every day across the country, delivering an unforgettable guest experience in rooms and food & beverage. As their brand grows, they engaged us to find a key leader to help them elevate their already high standards. They need a sophisticated professional with multi property experience in both hotel and standalone upscale restaurants. Their new VP will need to possess strong communication skills in both French & English coupled with strong product, concept, quality and cost management skills. Equally important will be the ability to manage from a distance and wield exceptional influencing skills, as they partner with F&B, Rooms and Senior Management. We're looking for a mid career F&B professional with the potential to jump up to the executive suite in 3 – 5 years. Should we look for one for you as well?
 

Interested in candidates for this type of role?

Currently open!

Director of Culinary Services  |  Toronto

Our client is one of Canada's best known and largest Seniors Living Residence operators. They are recognized as a leader in this fast growing and competitive market and they know that people care about food. Needing to fill a role that is that key to their identity, they've turned to us to find a highly talented Director of Culinary Services. Responsible for delivering on an a la carte menu that changes daily, serving residents who are active, healthy and accustomed to only the best, their new culinary leader must manage a full kitchen brigade providing 3 meal services daily for over 200 residents, while managing the Front of House at the same time. They will need to have the ability to develop genuine connections with residents, accommodate dietary restrictions and consistently produce top quality food – to deliver in a role that is both challenging and immensely rewarding. We've been asked to find a professional with exceptional culinary skills, great people skills and the desire to deliver only the best with each and every plate. And we're on it!

Interested in candidates for this type of role?

Successfully filled!

Restaurant Manager  |  Toronto

Millennials are changing the world and the restaurant business is no exception. Our client has launched a growing new brand that appeals to young and old alike but is driven by the millennial quest for high quality, ethically produced food at a reasonable price. When the mandate is to produce and deliver top quality food at a great price then you need great leadership, which they turned to us to find. We delivered a smart, business savvy manager who understands that delivering value doesn't mean reducing quality - it means working differently and asking different questions. We helped them find an energetic, well educated business professional who is interested in people, food, culture and profits, so the people, the profits and the planet all win!

Interested in candidates for this type of role?

Successfully filled!

Corporate Events Sales Manager  |  Vancouver

When your client is a North American food icon who changed the way a generation eats and thinks about food, vegetables and protein then you had better bring your "A" game. They needed a very specific person - a strong Corporate Events Sales Manager who could oversee events, plan menus, manage teams AND be a hunter in the competitive Vancouver culinary and catering scene. Our client selected a stellar candidate who was ready for a change and eager to take on a big challenge, giving them a top performer who has already demonstrated their value to the business.

Interested in candidates for this type of role?