Highway 61 Barbeque appoints new Executive Chef

TORONTO , Jan. 21 /CNW/ - Highway 61 Barbeque announced that Mr. Erwin Desouza has been appointed Executive Chef. In his new position, Mr. Desouza will be responsible for the management of all culinary aspects of the restaurant. Mr. Desouza has spent the better part of his 25 year career in the restaurant industry in high-impact roles, building strong teams and insuring culinary quality and consistency. His impressive management background includes executive chef of Flamboro Downs, proprietor of New Aarani Restaurant in Toronto , FOH manager of Movenpick Marche in Toronto , and sous chef of Charcoal Steak House in Kitchener. He brings a true passion for the restaurant business balanced with a strong academic background. Mr. Desouza holds a diploma with honours in business administration from the Toronto School of Business and a Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the Institute of Hotel Management in Mumbai . Mr. Desouza 's proven ability to produce strong results makes him an ideal choice to lead the Highway 61 culinary team.

About Highway 61 Barbeque

Highway 61 Barbeque is an independent restaurant focusing on authentic barbeque and live blues music. First opened in February, 2009, Highway 61 is located at 1620 Bayview Ave in Toronto . The restaurant is named after the famed highway that begins north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and picking up the Mississippi River, travels down to New Orleans . It was along this highway that both barbeque and blues music originated. The restaurant is owned by founders Kerry Knoll and Ken McGarrie.

Mr. McGarrie has served in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years, including as General Manager of the Hunt Club in downtown Chicago , GM of the Brasserie in Toronto's entertainment district, and GM of Lucky Strike Entertainment in Vaughan.

Mr. Knoll 's father developed the original secret barbeque sauce that is central to the Highway 61's extensive barbeque menu. After marketing the sauce for many years at the St. Lawrence Market , Mr. Knoll founded a number of mining companies, including Thompson Creek Metals and Wheaton River Minerals Ltd. served in various capacities with mining companies for the past 20 years, including as chairman of Stonegate Agricom, co-founder of Blue Pearl Mining, co-founder of Central Sun Mining and Wheaton River Minerals.

For further information: on Highway 61 Barbeque, please visit www.highway61.ca or contact Ken McGarrie at [phone]