Top Canadian chefs launch $1M relief fund for restaurant and hospitality workers

Toronto – The Canadian Hospitality Worker Relief Fund started taking applications today for one-time $500 grants to help cooks, servers, dishwashers, bartenders, delivery people and others who suddenly find themselves in distress and in urgent need of items such as groceries, medication and/or other health products.

The fund was created by Canadian chefs Vikram Vij, Victor Barry and Dan Geltner to support restaurant and hospitality workers financially impacted by COVID-19.

“$500 grants are a welcome support for hospitality workers,” said Vij. “These additional funds will be an immense help for front-of-house and back-of-house staff, especially those who work in minimum-wage, entry-level positions like international and local students.”

“The hospitality community is my extended family,” Barry said. “Since I was 11 years old, I’ve had the privilege of working side-by-side with the exceptional people who make, serve, and deliver your food. And now more than ever these hardworking people need our help, which is why I am proud to support the Canadian Hospitality Worker Relief Fund initiative.”

“The Canadian restaurant industry is suffering as many restaurant and hospitality workers find themselves without work and in need of financial assistance,” Geltner said. “I am proud to join the CHWRF in supporting workers and their families here in Quebec and the rest of the country.”

The Canadian Hospitality Worker Relief Fund will be administered by the Design Exchange, a Canadian registered charity that also serves as an event venue in Toronto, and promoted across Canada with the help of community partners Elevate, Staffy, La Tablée des Chefs and Spiffy. CHWRF Founding Partners including Uber Eats, Garland and Welbilt Canada have pledged over $1 million to launch the fund.

Find more information about the fund including how eligible workers can apply.