Episode 1: Chef Kyle Webster on Covid, Closing His Business and the Restaurant Dream
Synopsis
In 2017 I (Greg Martin) invested in a restaurant business called Farm’r. The business was focused on bringing farm-to-table style food to the everyday office workers and condo dwellers in downtown Toronto. Located by the St. Lawrence Market, close to Toronto’s financial district, the restaurant needed a leader. At that time we hired a chef, trained in fine-dining, to run the place.
In this first ever episode, I (Greg Martin) talk with Chef Kyle Webster about his experiences starting out in the cooking world as a high-end fine dining chef, how he ended up at Farm’r, and what he learned along the way.
Key Takeaways
Kyle Webster is the Chef and man in charge of your host (Greg Martin’s) restaurant and office catering company based in Toronto called Farm’r
Although Covid-19 has closed the restaurant for now, and potentially forever, there are successes in what the business achieved
Covid-19 is going to have a huge impact on the restaurant world, potentially closing 60% of stores and completely having to reinvent itself to survive
Today there are many ways beyond having an expensive restaurant for a chef to be “successful”
Chefs are typically overworked and underpaid everywhere
The restaurant industry is struggling with issues around food quality, keeping up with demand and what people are willing to pay for a meal
It’s heartbreaking to get a bad review, and some people are just mean
Kyle’s Background
Kyle is a Co-Founder and Executive Chef of Farm’r. After developing his technique and working his way up to sous chef at several reputable restaurants, Kyle decided to take his skills to a more casual setting at Farm’r. He fine-dining background included stints at the following notable restaurants:
Attica, a Top 50 Best Restaurant, in Australia
Hudson Kitchen (Toronto)
Globe Bistro (Toronto)
Carlton Wine Room (Australia)
The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery
His influence of working directly with farmers comes from growing up near Prince Edward County where he was always close and familiar with where his food came from. Despite now living in the big city, Farm’r allowed Kyle to connect with growers and producers all across Ontario.
Learn More
You can connect with Kyle’s business, Farm’r at farmr.ca or with Kyle directly on his Linked-In.