In this powerhouse episode of the SafeCheck Podcast , we sit down with Kelly Higginson , President of Restaurants Canada, for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at how advocacy is shaping the future of foodservice in Canada. From fighting for the GST holiday to navigating tariffs and labor shortages, Kelly shares what it takes to lead an industry through its most challenging chapter yet. We dive into the staggering impact restaurants have on the economy — 1.2 million employees, $28 billion in taxes, and 23 million guests served every day, and why it’s time Canadians see the sector for what it is: an essential economic and social force. Kelly also gives us an exclusive preview of the 2025 RC Show, her thoughts on how operators can survive and thrive, and why getting out of the four walls is more important than ever. Whether you're an independent operator, franchisee, or supplier, this is a must-listen conversation about resilience, advocacy, and the power of showing up.…

Renowned chef Massimo Capra shares his incredible journey from a small town in Italy to becoming a celebrated culinary figure in Canada. In this candid conversation, Chef Capra discusses the evolution of the restaurant industry, the challenges of maintaining culinary excellence, the impact of changing labor dynamics, and his thoughts on food safety and training in modern kitchens. With humor, wisdom, and a deep passion for his craft, he offers insights into the highs and lows of the industry, from his early apprenticeships to running acclaimed restaurants like Capra’s Kitchen and Boccone Pronto at Pearson Airport. Don't miss this engaging and inspiring episode!…

Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla sit down with Rob Jusela, a seasoned hospitality professional with years of experience opening restaurants across Canada. Rob takes us through his fascinating career journey, from working with the Canadian Brewhouse in Alberta to managing locations in Ontario. He shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of opening new locations, the importance of training and cross-training in the food service i...…

Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla sit down with Darin Reeves, Director of Human Resources at Rancherlo Society. Darin shares the inspiring journey of Rancherlo, a not-for-profit that has been serving Saskatchewan for over 58 years, offering services like psychotherapy, vocational programs, and mental health support. Darin shares the importance of building a supportive workplace culture, the value of investing in people, and how training pro...…

Send us a textIn this episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla return after a brief hiatus to dive deep into the latest developments in the food safety world. With a special focus on the recent outbreak in Calgary that shocked the childcare industry, they explore the root causes and the critical recommendations from the Alberta government's investigation. Joined by food safety expert Jim Chan, the discussion highlights the importance of building a robust food saf...…

Send us a textIn this episode of the Safe Check Podcast, we sit down with Jim Chan, a retired public health inspector from Ontario. Jim shares his extensive experience managing Toronto's food safety inspection program and discusses the challenges and importance of maintaining rigorous food safety standards. From inspection frequencies to the balance of education and enforcement, Jim provides valuable insights into the intricacies of public health inspections. We also delve into the recent iss...…

Send us a textIn a compelling follow-up episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Jay and Domenic reconvene with Dr. Darin Detwiler to dive a bit deeper into the critical issues of food safety illuminated in the Netflix documentary "Poisoned." This part two of their conversation focuses on the broader impacts of Dr. Detwiler's advocacy work and the ongoing challenges in ensuring food safety across various sectors.The episode kicks off with a reflection on Dr. Detwiler's personal tragedy, the lo...…

Send us a textIn a dynamic episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay engage in an insightful conversation with Bob Duprey, the mind behind Restaurants Playbook. The trio delves into the transformative potential of modern training methodologies for the restaurant industry, spotlighting the urgent need for comprehensive training systems that cater to both the seasoned and the incoming workforce.Bob shares his journey from the grassroots of restaurant operations to pioneering onlin...…

Send us a textIn an inspiring episode of the SafeCheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay sit down with Dr. Darin Detwiler, whose personal tragedy is the focal point of the Netflix documentary "Poisoned." This interview focuses on the E. coli outbreak that transformed Detwiler from a nuclear engineer on a nuclear submarine into a leading force in food safety advocacy.Throughout the interview, Dr. Detwiler shares his journey and the extensive impact of his work, including his advisory roles with k...…

Send us a textIn this inspiring episode of SafeCheck Podcast, we jump into the world of exceptional customer service with Chelsea Mouwen, the esteemed Customer Service Manager at SafeCheck. With over a decade of experience under her belt, Chelsea shares her journey from her early days at Victoria's Secret to becoming a cornerstone of SafeCheck's success. Her commitment to understanding and exceeding customer expectations sets a high standard for service excellence. Chelsea's insights reveal t...…

Send us a textIn this transformative episode of Safecheck Podcast, hosts Domenic and Jay sit down with Craig McFadyen from Learning Planet, revealing a groundbreaking approach to corporate training and personal development. As they navigate through the journey of learning and growth, Craig shares invaluable insights from his 30 years of experience in training and development, emphasizing the importance of investing in employees for both personal and organizational growth. This episode sh...…

Send us a textUnlock the future of food entrepreneurship with insights from Azrah of Syzl, where culinary dreams find a home in professional kitchens without the overhead nightmare. In this exciting exploration, our guest unveils how Syzl catalyzes the growth of small food ventures, offering a novel platform that’s stirring the pot in the Canadian food industry. We delve into the transformative power of Syzl's approach to kitchen space rentals, providing a compliant and affordable stepping st...…

Send us a textWhen Darcy from Integrity Advocate stopped by for a chat, we never expected to journey from heartwarming lunches with furry friends to the critical corners of online proctoring. Yet, here we were, unpacking the transformation of their innovative software from an oil and gas industry staple to a versatile tool across other industries. With features designed for the modern learner, like no installation hassle and mobile compatibility, Darcy's insights highlight just how aligned we...…

Send us a textDiscover the vibrant path of Francine Shaw, from her start as a fry girl to becoming a leading voice in food safety. Join us for an enlightening conversation where we dissect the critical, sometimes overlooked aspects of health inspections and the restaurant industry. Francine, hailing from Savvy Food Safety, shares her unique insights from a career that spans operations, academic, and regulatory frameworks, offering a fresh take on what truly makes the food service sector tick....…

Send us a textDiscover the chilling truth behind your favorite frosty refreshment as Dustin from Clean Ice Canada joins us for a deep freeze into the world of commercial ice machine cleanliness. It's easy to overlook these frost giants in the kitchen, but as we learn, they're as critical to food safety as any grill or griddle. This episode promises to change the way you view the ice clinking in your glass, emphasizing the crucial care needed to prevent bacterial build-up and contamination ris...…