Economic Development eNews | June 15, 2021 |
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Experienced Chef pivots with Curbalicious Food Truck |
KEMPTVILLE - The newest chapter in Chef Tim Wasylko's 30-year success story is on wheels.
"It's awesome. We see everyone, from every demographic, families and seniors, workers, people having a date night during COVID, you name it," says Chef Tim, co-owner of Curbalicious, a food truck with a fast-growing list of repeat customers.
"We're making real food with care" he says, adding they source many products from other Kemptville businesses.
The menu features everything from tortas, including the famous Cabana sandwich, to tacos and Ukrainian-style, hand-made perogies. A big hit is the Curbabowl. Its success has inspired two new bowls in their soon to be released summer menu. New tacos and more vegetarian options are coming too. Tim and his team work together in developing new recipes for their weekly specials.
As a chef, Tim has a storied past. He was with the Canadian Olympic team in Sochi, Russia, and fed troops in Afghanistan through the International Security Assistance Force. He served as an executive chef to a Canadian Prime Minister for 6 years. Tim spent several years in Mexico (thus his love of tortas and tacos) and has coordinated large-scale food service for convention centres and hotels across this country.
"I never thought I'd take this leap (into a food truck) but we did the budget, marketing and business plan and here we are," Tim says.
When the first COVID-19 shutdown hit last year, Tim was planning food and beverage for large international conferences. All staff were let go and Tim spent several months trying to determine what the next step would be in his devastated hospitality industry. Then he remembered a culinary school logistics project he did about food trucks.
"Part of it was survival. Part of it was the fun of working on my own terms," Tim says of the transition. "And it's quite freeing to not have to commute a long way."
They are now expanding to have a "CurbaCart" that will move around town selling delicious hotdogs and sausages as lovely picnic fare. Another success is their PopUp Sundays with guest chefs from the Ottawa Valley region. The first three PopUps sold out. A fourth, this Father's Day weekend, is a Mexican inspired meal from chef Rene Rodriguez, who has won Top Chef Canada and beat famous American chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay. Popup event meals must be pre-ordered online.
The Popups out of the Curbalicious food truck are Tim's way of giving back to his colleagues during the pandemic and bringing new culinary tastes to North Grenville. He also likes to raise awareness of what North Grenville can offer to businesses looking to relocate or expand.
Learn more about Curbalicious by visiting their website, including news coverage videos, and check out their Facebook and Instagram pages. Give them a call at 613-406-9151 or send an email. You'll find the truck at 2540 County Road 43. |
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Top feature photo: Tim Wasylko and Marcy Jordan are life partners and co-owners of Curbalicious, a food truck bringing gourmet homestyle cuisine curbside in Kemptville. |
The Team from left: Marcy, sous chef Ben McIntosh, Sarah McKibbin, Bennett Wasylko, Zach Scharf and Tim. Below: Zach with a tray of popular perogies. |
Above photo: Sous Chef Ben McIntosh helps develop new menu items at Curbalicious. |
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Check out Curbalicious and other businesses in our region offering great food on wheels in our Food Truck Trail. If you don't see your favourite listed, please let us know with an email.
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Economic Development Leadership Award |
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Above at left: Janet Campbell, owner of Mrs. McGarrigle's Mustard and Fine Foods in Merrickville, with Merrickville-Wolford Mayor Doug Struthers, centre, and Counties Economic Development Manager Ann Weir. |
Above at right: Wendy Merkley, co-owner of Andress Boatworks in Rockport, with Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke, left, and Ann Weir. |
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It's time to nominate a leader in your community! |
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is asking individuals, councils and economic development committees to identify candidates for the annual Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership.
Before heading off for summer vacation, talk to your colleagues and community members about who is deserving of this award in your municipality.
Many volunteers help to improve the economic vitality of Leeds Grenville. Our goal is to honour them for their ongoing efforts.
If you have someone in mind within the 10 member municipalities of Leeds Grenville, consider putting their name forward. You can connect with us at econdev@uclg.on.ca or call Deanna Clark at 613-342-3840, ext. 5360.
The award will be presented at the annual Economic Development Summit on November 19, 2021.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 24, at 4 p.m.
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Federally, we are still waiting to hear more details on the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program along with the extension of the Wage Subsidy, Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support that was proposed. Visit the Government of Canada website for more information.
The St. Lawrence Parks Commission has opened all of its campgrounds, beaches and day-use areas. For more information on hours and available services visit their website. In the Leeds Grenville area, Ivy Lea Campground, Brown's Bay Campground and Brown's Bay Beach are open. See the 2021 season opening media release. All beaches will be open 7 days a week beginning June 28th. |
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St. Lawrence College offering specialized health care and construction training
St. Lawrence College is partnering with the Eastern Ontario College Consortium to offer job seeker training, and customized training to upskill your current employees until March 2022.
The funding is available to support employers in the Health Care and Construction sectors. This opportunity has been made available through the Skills Advance Ontario program, a funding pocket of the Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development.
Health Care Sector Training
Is your healthcare business looking for front line staff or in-house training support? St. Lawrence College’s new Skills Advance Ontario Health Initiative gives healthcare employers access to newly trained, certified applicants for entry level employment plus funding to upskill current employees or address in-house training gaps. First up is a funded Environmental Service Aide online program running from July 5-30. To learn more contact Colleen Savage, Project Coordinator (Brockville) at csavage@sl.on.ca, cell 613-246-1603.
Health Care Sector Employer Survey
We invite your input! Please take a moment to complete this short, 10-question survey to give the St. Lawrence College Skills Advance Ontario Healthcare Team a snapshot of your Healthcare organization.
Construction Sector Training
Is your construction business looking to hire trained candidates, or get in-house training support? There is Workforce training and development support for the Leeds and Grenville Construction Sector as well as Construction Building, Heavy & Civil Engineering Construction, and Specialty trade contractors. To learn more about current training opportunities, to connect with job seekers, or to create a customized training experience for your employees, contact Amy Shelley, Project Coordinator at ashelley@sl.on.ca, 613-544-5400 Ext 1145.
Construction Sector Employer Survey
We invite your input! Please take a moment to complete this short 10-Question Survey, to give the St. Lawrence College SAO Construction Team a snapshot of your Construction organization.
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Tourism and Travel Grant Deadline June 25
The Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant provides one-time payments of $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses in the tourism and travel sector.
Applications for this grant will close on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
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Business Support Funds are Still Available
Your business may be eligible for a Regional Relief and Recovery Fund loan up to $60,000 to cover your fixed operating costs. Borrow up to $60,000, pay back $40,000 by December 31, 2022, and you keep $20,000. $0 application fees. 0% interest. $0 payments until December 31, 2022.
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
Contact your local Community Futures Development Corporation for details:
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Using LinkedIn Effectively
If you have a professional profile on LinkedIn, this session led by Jennifer Baker Consulting will show you have to use it and leverage your connections.
You will gain an understanding of the full breadth of benefits associated with using LinkedIn, including leveraging your professional network and creating content. Participants will be introduced to simple strategies to engage with their network. You will develop of understanding of the benefits, implement strategies and execute a plan to proactively engage your network.
WHEN: Monday, June 21, 1 p.m.
COST: Free
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Designing Graphics for Social Media with Canva
This webinar by Jennifer Baker Consulting will focus on developing the skills and knowledge you need to effectively utilize Canva, an online graphic tool, to design beautiful images and graphics for use on your social media channels. Topics include Canva account set-up, time-saving tips and tricks, as well as basic design strategies to improve graphics.
WHEN: Online Zoom Thursday, June 24, 12 noon to 1 p.m.
COST: Free
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If you haven't seen these local business videos yet, take a look!
These one-minute videos represent 13 different municipalities from various industry sectors that make up this dynamic region called Leeds Grenville.
Visit our Video Gallery or check out each video individually below by clicking on the image or business name. Click on the Grow Your Business, Love Your Lifestyle logo to see the entire series. |
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the June 29th edition should be received by Monday, June 21st.
- Submissions for the July 13th edition should be received by Monday, July 5th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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