Two stunning new Italian concepts created with top celebrity chef opens
at Canada's leading airport
TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW/ -The authentic taste of modern Italy, created by Toronto's most favorite
mustachioed Italian chef, has landed at Toronto Pearson's Terminal 1.
SSP Canada, the Canadian division of SSP, the leading operator of food
and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, in partnership with
famed local chef, Massimo Capra, celebrated the grand opening of their
two Italian concept restaurants today. Boccone Trattoria Veloce - a 3,291 sq ft full service, trattoria-style restaurant, and, Boccone Pronto - its 3,304 sq ft quick serve counterpart are now officially open and
ready for the 33 million annual passengers at Toronto Pearson.
The event was held at the Boccone Trattoria Veloce location where guests dined on samples of its delicious menu and Chef
Capra was on hand for an official book signing.
Commenting at today's grand opening, Chef Capra's smile grew wide under
his trademark mustache that is now emblazoned on the Boccone logo and
enthused, "There are many good restaurants at airports such as New
York's JFK or Heathrow in London. And now, travelers at Toronto
Pearson can also enjoy the very best food before they fly. Our menus
have been designed so that passengers only have to wait ten minutes
from the time they sit down to the time they are served and can be on
their way in half an hour. That's guaranteed. We serve the same food
prepared with the same high standards as we do at our restaurants in
town, which is an amazing achievement. I'm extremely proud of what we
are doing here and am very excited to be sharing what I consider to be
great Italian food with the passengers of Toronto Pearson."
Pat Murray, senior vice president of SSP Canada, commented, "Today is
undoubtedly a cause for celebration. Joining forces with Massimo Capra
in bringing two exceptional Italian concept restaurants to Toronto
Pearson has been a wonderful foodie journey. To work with a chef with
such abundant energy and creative genius, and to be able to share his
vision, his brilliance, and, most importantly, his food with passengers
here in Toronto is what we at SSP are all about. We find the local
legends and showcase them at the airport - giving passengers a
sense-of-place from the moment they land. Massimo Capra is undeniably
a Canadian local legend, and we are proud to be opening his restaurants
here today."
"We are so excited to have Chef Massimo bring his expertise and love of
food to Toronto Pearson," said Pamela Griffith-Jones, Vice President of
Guest and Terminal Services for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "We are committed to significantly raising the bar in terms of the dining
options at Toronto Pearson and in ensuring we are showcasing the best
that Toronto and the region have to offer. Chef Massimo's two
restaurants are proof positive of that commitment."
Gioia di vivere meets joy de vivre. Travelers will be instantly drawn
to the full service Boccone's with its ample seating wrapped in panels of warm wood and bold,
whimsical black and white culinary graphics, clearly marking its space
in the large open concourse. Sleek red stools sit at high top tables;
curved red leather booths create cozy intimate comfort, and additional
bar and banquette seating proffer plenty of room for even the largest
Italian family. Contemporary pendant lighting hangs suspended from
stand-alone metal frames, and glossy red, black and white subway tiles
sing modern Italian style. An open, European styled kitchen showcases
the culinary genius of Massimo and his team and a full service bar,
with a notably extensive wine list, anchors the center of the
restaurant. The "Mercato" market area of the main restaurant offers a
range of quick-serve items to go for travelers on the run.
La dolce vita. Chef Capra's carefully created full service menu brings
passengers on a pre-boarding voyage through Italy's finest culinary
combinations: bar snacks such as Crispy Mozzarella Skewers with Tomato
Coulis and Portobello Fries with Fresh Herb Aioli; pasta courses of
Tagliatelle in a classic Meat Ragú or Penne with Eggplant Ragú & Salted
Ricotta; and main course choices of Breaded Veal Cutlet with Arugula
and Parmigiano Salad or, Grilled Chicken Breast with Sautéed Mushroom &
Fresh Herbs. All items are steeped in the culinary heritage of Italy
- even the eggs served at breakfast are crafted the Italian way with
tomato sauce, onion and candied salmon. The menu will change regularly,
highlighting seasonal ingredients.
Quick service Boccone Pronto offers authentic, gourmet Italian food - pronto, fast! With ample space to admire the selections, the broad assortment
of fine Italian fare and freshly brewed coffee creates an authentic
delicatessen experience. Offers include a rustic Scaccia made with
mozzarella, prosciutto ham and mushrooms or, a slice of Margherita
Pizza made with fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil. Hand pressed
Paninis are filled with premium meats and cheese, cakes and pastries
are baked fresh daily and a wide selection of cold drinks, juices and
the compulsory cup of Illy coffee will keep passengers fueled for
take-off.
Known and loved by Canadians for the past 30 years, Massimo Capra is an
Italian transplant bar none. Born near Cremona, Italy, Massimo trained
at the famed National Culinary Institute in Salsomaggiore, Parma, and
then climbed the culinary ladder by working in Italy's finest
restaurants and hotels before moving to Toronto in 1982.
Today, Chef Massimo is the chef and co-owner of two Toronto mainstays -
the Zagat-rated Mistura and the highly-regarded Sopra Upper Lounge. He
is also known for his appearances on television shows CityLine and the Food Network program Restaurant Makeover, which is seen in over sixteen countries.
Boccone Trattoria Veloce can be found in Terminal 1's domestic departures area, while Boccone Pronto is located Terminal 1's US-Transborder departures area.
About SSP
SSP is the leading dedicated operator of food and beverage brands in
travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafes, food courts,
lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway
service stations, shopping malls, conference centers and other leisure
locations. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, today SSP has
30,000 employees, serving millions of customers every week. 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 specialty brands. These include Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffè
Ritazza, M&S Simply Food, Bonne Journée, Caviar House & Prunier, and
leading Japanese noodle brand Ajisen Ramen as well as stunning bespoke
concepts such as the Montreux Jazz Café in Geneva and Sydney and the
Bambini Wine Room in Sydney. 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).
SOURCE: Toronto Pearson
