SSP CANADA TO PARTNER WITH FAMED CHEF MASSIMO CAPRA AT TORONTO PEARSON AIRPORT

Partnership to bring two Italian concept restaurants to Canada’s busiest airport

Lansdowne, VA, July 9 2012:  SSP Canada, the Canadian division of SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, is delighted to announce today its partnership with celebrity chef, Massimo Capra, in opening two Italian restaurants at Toronto Pearson International Airport. 

Pat Murray, Executive VP of SSP Canada, commented, “Massimo Capra is a celebrated chef, outstanding restaurateur, noted author and much loved television personality.  We are honoured to be working with someone of his caliber, and are absolutely delighted to be showcasing his passion, creative force and incredible food to the passengers of Toronto Pearson.”

“Having Chef Massimo bring his expertise and love of food to Toronto Pearson is very exciting for the airport,” said Pamela Griffith-Jones, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.  “The energy and passion that comes with Chef Massimo is contagious and we are thrilled to be working with him to open two great restaurants for our guests to enjoy while at the airport.”

Chef Massimo is the chef and co-owner of two Toronto mainstays - the Zagat-rated Mistura, and the exclusive supper club, Sopra Upper Lounge - as well, he is the creative force behind the recently re-launched Rainbow Room in Niagara Falls’ Crown Plaza Hotel.  In addition to regular appearances on CityTV’s “Cityline”, penning a column for the Toronto Globe & Mail, and host of Food Network Canada’s “Restaurant Makeover” and Travel & Escape’s “Gourmet Escapes”, he has also authored One Pot Italian and worked in collaboration on the newly released Three Chefs: The Kitchen Men, which made Massimo a Gold winning author.

Capra has established deep roots in the Toronto region and is now perfectly positioned to introduce the bounty of that region, in a truly Italian-style, to the 33 million annual passengers of Toronto Pearson International.

“Since my arrival in Toronto in 1982, I have been on this amazing and wonderful path, of being able to share my passion with so many people across Canada,” commented Massimo Capra.  “When the opportunity to partner up with SSP Canada and branch my passion to Canadians and international travelers alike, it was a no brain-er. It was a perfect fit - SSP brings my same passion for food to travelers all over the world. Their attention to detail and quality is equally matched to mine and together, I believe we will deliver a new and exciting change to Toronto Pearson and its travelers.”

The authentic taste of modern Milan created by of one of Toronto’s most beloved Italian chefs will be offered at two locations in Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1.

Boccone Trattoria Veloce will be a 2287 sq ft full service, casual dining restaurant with a carefully created menu by Chef Capra.  It will take passengers on a pre-boarding voyage through Italy’s finest culinary combinations complemented by an extensive wine list.  The second location, Boccone Pronto, will act as the quick service counterpart and will entice passengers on the run with a broad selection of fine Italian fare and freshly brewed coffee to go.

Boccone Trattoria Veloce will be located in Terminal 1’s domestic departures and Boccone Pronto will be in Terminal 1’s US-Transborder departures area.  Both will open later this fall.

About SSP

SSP is the leading dedicated provider of food and beverage brands in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, today SSP has 30,000 employees, serving over a million customers every day. It has business at over 140 airports and over 250 rail stations, and operates more than 2,100 units in 30 countries around the world.

SSP operates an extensive portfolio of over 200 international, national, local and speciality brands. These include Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffè Ritazza, Burger King, M&S Simply Food, Millies Cookies, O’Learys,  Caviar House & Prunier, and leading Asian brands Ajisen Ramen and Saboten, as well as stunning bespoke concepts such as the Montreux Jazz Café in Geneva and the award winning Center Bar at Zurich. 

Its brand portfolio is tailored for each specific location, depending on variables such as passenger profile, consumer need states, location type, size and design.

About SSP America/SSP Canada

SSP America operates in more than 40 airports across North America bringing a variety of local, regional and national brands to the traveling consumer at a vast array of price ranges.  Third party brands in the company’s broad portfolio include The Palm Restaurant, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Gordon Biersch, Panda Express, Tigín, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, T.G.I. Friday’s, Tim Hortons, The Great American Bagel and Buffalo Wild Wings.  SSP America’s brand portfolio also includes strong, local award-winning icons such as Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Harry & Izzy’s, Nonna Bartolotta’s, and Mill Street Brewery Pub.

About the Greater Toronto Airports Authority

The GTAA is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada's biggest airport and one of the largest airports in North America in terms of passenger and air cargo traffic.  In 2011, Toronto Pearson handled 33.4 million passengers and is ranked 4th largest in international passenger traffic in North America.  The focus of the GTAA continues to be on competitiveness, growing the airport's status as an international gateway, meeting the needs of our guests and ensuring the long-term success of the organization, our airline customers and the regional economy. Join Toronto Pearson on Facebook and Twitter (@torontopearson).

Contact:

Darleen Nascimento
SSP Canada
(703) 723-5418
(703) 462-4699 (c)
darleen.nascimento@foodtravelexperts.com

Toronto Pearson
Media Office
(416) 776-3709

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