Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association meets in St. John's

ST. JOHN'S, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Restaurateurs from across Canada are meeting in St. John's this week, as the city plays host to the spring board meetings of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).

The CRFA delegation of approximately 70 restaurateurs, staff members and special guests is participating in meetings and social events in the city and surrounding area until Wednesday.

CRFA chairperson Donna Dooher, owner of Mildred's Temple Kitchen in Toronto, says she selected St. John's in part for its vibrant culinary scene.  "There's a lot of buzz right now about Newfoundland chefs who are putting a new twist on traditional, local cuisine.  It's a very exciting time for us to be here and explore what's new in the kitchens of St. John's."

Brenda O'Reilly of Yellowbelly's and O'Reilly's Irish Newfoundland Pub is a member and past chair of the CRFA board of directors.  "I'm thrilled to be hosting my CRFA colleagues and guests in my home province, and sharing the amazing food, drink, music and hospitality that Newfoundland and Labrador is known for," says O'Reilly. "It's a great opportunity to tell our story to the rest of the country."

CRFA's volunteer board members represent all kinds of restaurant, bar and catering businesses from across Canada, ranging from national chain restaurants to local pubs.

Facts about Newfoundland and Labrador's Restaurant Industry:

• More than 1,000 restaurants, bars and caterers in the province;
• Third-largest private-sector employer;
• Provides more than 13,000 direct jobs in communities across the province;
• Number one source of first jobs;
• Employs 4,700 young people between the ages of 15 and 24;

CRFA is one of Canada's largest business associations, with 30,000 members across Canada.  CRFA is the restaurant industry's voice to government and delivers a variety of member benefits such as member discounts, industry research and events.

or to arrange an interview with Brenda O'Reilly, Donna Dooher or CRFA president and CEO Garth Whyte, please contact:  Jill Holroyd, SVP Marketing and Communications, 416-738-7134 or [email protected]; or Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, CRFA Communications Specialist, 1-800-387-5649, ext. 4254 or [email protected].