Carr's Oyster Bar hooks Restaurants Canada award for shellfish excellence

CHARLOTTETOWN, Sept. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Phyllis Carr of Carr's Oyster Bar made a splash at the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival this weekend, taking home the first-ever Restaurants Canada Shellfish Excellence Award. The award recognizes a restaurateur in Prince Edward Island for the exceptional service and promotion of local seafood. The winner shows superior shellfish quality standards, offers a variety of local shellfish and promotes P.E.I. shellfish to its community and customers.

"Carr's Oyster Bar brings local flavours to life with quality, innovation and authenticity," said Restaurants Canada's CEO Shanna Munro, who presented Carr with her award on Saturday. "We're excited to honour one of the many Canadian restaurants that champion culinary delights from our own backyard."

"I am thrilled to receive this award on behalf of myself, my family and our staff over the past 17 years," said Carr. "I love my home on Prince Edward Island and am happy to showcase the best shellfish in the world. It's important for us to know our surroundings and the seafood that comes from our waters. What I love most is opening each oyster with the hope that it's the best one ever – and that the diner really enjoys it."

Carr received a cheque for $500, along with a framed award for her restaurant, and will be featured in an upcoming issue of MENU, Canada's Foodservice Magazine, which is being launched this fall by Restaurants Canada.

P.E.I.'s restaurant industry generates more than $270 million in economic activity, representing 4.4% of GDP. With 5,600 jobs, foodservice is the province's third-largest employer and provides more first-time jobs than any other industry.

Restaurants Canada is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada's restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs, and serves 18 million customers every day.

SOURCE Restaurants Canada

Image with caption: "Restaurants Canada's President and CEO Shanna Munro (left) presents Phyllis Carr of Carr's Oyster Bar with the inaugural Restaurants Canada Shellfish Excellence Award. (CNW Group/Restaurants Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160919_C6741_PHOTO_EN_776515.jpg

MEDIA CONTACTS: Prasanthi Vasanthakumar, Communications Specialist at 1-800-387-5649 ext. 4254, or [email protected]