Chef Tommy McHugh discusses supporting the food industry during COVID-19
Having spent his entire life in the hospitality industry, Ted Rogers School of Management’s Executive Chef Tommy McHugh knew he wanted to do everything he could to help and support the people and the businesses in the sector during the COVID-19 crisis. Here is what he had to say about the importance of supporting restaurants and local food during this time, what actions people can take and the trickle-down effect on the economy.
You recently donated rubber gloves and sanitizer from your Ted Rogers School kitchen to Toronto hospitals. Within the hospitality industry, as hard as it has been hit, we see these stories of reaching out and community. As someone who came to Ryerson from that world, tell us about the resiliency and character of the workers and employers in that sector?
Hospitality people are some of the toughest people out there, so when things get tough, we go into overdrive – failure is not an option. While the hospitality industry has been hit as hard as it has, we see other fields in an even more difficult situation. It seems like the natural thing to do: anyone who has it harder than you do, needs your help.
I'm seeing so many restaurants not only giving gloves and sanitizer, they're going into the kitchens and cooking meals for hospital workers. But not just for the doctors and nurses, but the cleaning and support staff, who are front-line workers as well. "The Marinara Boys," (external link, opens in new window) for instance, are a group of small independent restaurateurs who have teamed up to buy, make and drop off meals for medical staff, low income families and people who are homeless for the last two weeks. If this doesn't show the city what our industry is made of, nothing will.
Why is it important to you to support the food industry during this crisis?
It's paramount! People need to stay home, but we need to buy food at least once a week. There are many restaurants, food suppliers and chefs who are evolving their business structure to cater to people with home deliveries of produce and cooked dishes.
People also need to remember that farms are being hit just as hard as well because they were growing their set quota before the COVID-19 crisis happened. Now they have this excess of food, with no restaurants to purchase it. By finding local suppliers (ie. Grow, Gather & Co. (external link) and 100KM Foods (external link, opens in new window) ) who are purchasing these items from local farms, artisan creameries, fisheries, etc., we are supporting so many levels of small businesses that desperately need our help. This also allows us to stay home. It's a win/win for everyone.
Why should others in the community support this sector as well? What are the downstream benefits to the economy?
When we come through this (and we will), we have to have the basic food structure that literally feeds us still intact. If we don't act now, there could be catastrophic changes to who is still around, and who lost their business, farm, produce supplier, etc. If farms go bust, the trickle-down effect could be a disaster for the drivers, the suppliers, the restaurants that get their products from them and the supermarkets. We all need to support our food industry now.
What can people do to support local restaurants/food?
Call, email their favourite restaurant, butchers, bakery, fishmongers, green grocers, microbrewery, you name it, and ask if they are doing curbside deliveries. If they are, then be sure to rotate your support to these small businesses, share your support so everyone is getting the help equally. Keep supporting them, as we will be in this for at least another 12 weeks (or more). Also ask if they are selling gift certificates. When we get the all clear to head back to restaurants, the cash injection will be the next crucial step in helping things get back to a healthier state.
What other actions can people take to show support?
Follow them on social media, repost their business and get your local friends supporting them as well. I love supporting a new small business, and then posting a huge thanks to them for keeping the industry flame alive. I promote them, repost, they repost me, you name it. You would be amazed how many people reach out and say, "Hey! Thanks for the tips. I just ordered from them as well!" That makes me feel so good because it's working, but we have to keep pushing!
Anything else to add?
People in the hospitality industry do what we do because it's our passion, and we love what we do. The entire goal of our career is to cater to other people, and make them happy. Well, now it's our turn to go out of our way and support them.
