Winterlicious Media Launch
Winterlicious Media Launch
Councillor Thompson's Remarks
(Chef Susur Lee welcomes everyone, provides remarks and introduces Councillor Thompson.)
Thank you Chef Lee for hosting us at your wonderful restaurant this morning.
Your generosity, and the fact that you have been a Winterlicious partner for seven years is a testament to the effectiveness of the program’s ability to put customers’ seats in restaurant seats during the slow season.
We aredelighted to have four of your exceptional restaurants participating this year: Bent, Luckee, Fring's and of course Lee! I look forward to tastingsamples from your Winterlicious menu items this morning!
Welcome guests, partners, members of the Advisory Board and Councillors. Thank you all for joining us today as we officially open the phone lines to reservations for “Winterlicious, presented by YP Dine.”
Our launch is so popular among Toronto foodies, some peopletake the day offwork to make their reservations.
Winterlicious, presented by YP Dine, is Toronto's premier prix fixe food event. Since 2003, the 'Licious programs which are produced by the City of Toronto have served more than 6.2 million meals and generated more than $275 million dollars in economic activity for the local restaurant industry.
Typically, participating restaurants see a 48% increase in customers and a 36% increase in revenue during the program.
From January 27 to February 9 this year, more than 220 of Toronto's best restaurants will offer diverse,three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at exceptional value. The popularity of this event continues to grow!
According to the stats from a 2015 IPSOS Reid Survey, the program is so much loved by both the customers and restaurants that it is almost unanimously viewed as a valuable service provided by the City of Toronto.
The event continues to attract new audiences and boost repeat visits to participating restaurants. Diner satisfaction is up across the board with ‘presentation of food,’ ‘quality of food,’ ‘and ‘quality of customer service’ topping the list.
Winterlicious offers two programs, the Culinary Event Series and the Prix Fixe Promotion. Reservations for the Prix Fixe begin today and tickets are already on sale for the Culinary Event Series.
2017 is unique as we celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with our “TO Canada with Love” events throughout the year. Winterlicious is one of the 30 plusCity-produced events that will honour this milestone year in our country's history.
The Winterlicious Culinary Event Series will take participants on a coast-to-coast culinary journey through Canada's history, as it featuresour country's unique and diverse food culture and cuisines. Tickets are going fast so be sure to get yours today!
The 'Licious programs are such a success because ofits exceptional participating restaurants and chefs, who work in collaboration with the City and our corporate sponsors.
Today, we are thrilled to formally welcomeYP Dine as the new presenting sponsor for the Licious programs. YP Dinehas already participatedin the planning of Winterlicious 2017, and has demonstratedincredible enthusiasm for the program. We thank them for their vital support and partnership.
It is now my pleasure to introduce Jennifer Lee, Senior Manager, Brand & Marketing Communications at Yellow Pages. Jennifer, on behalf of the City of Toronto I'd like to officially welcome YP Dine to the Licious team!
(Jennifer Lee,comes to the podium and gives remarks.)
(Councillor Thompson returns to the podium and continues with remarks.)
Thank you, Jennifer. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome and thank another new sponsor – Aeroplan - who hasjoined'Licious as a premier sponsor. We are excited by the possibilities that this partnership brings!
I would like to acknowledge Eska Natural Spring Water, our water sponsor since 2013, and thank them for their continued support.
Also, our gratitude to our Media Partners at the Toronto Star, City, and Newstalk 1010 for helping spread the word about Winterlicious, presented by YP Dine.
Now I would like to ask Chef Lee back to the podium to conclude this morning's remarks. Chef Lee.
(Chef Lee makes his way to the podium.)
Don't forget to start making your Winterlicious reservations today!
(Councillor Thompson exits.)
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