As we look ahead to a new year — and the continued recovery of small and independent businesses across the country — Restaurants Canada is calling for a national working group to lay the groundwork for the industry’s revival.

In a press release from the industry advocacy group, a recent survey finds that eight out of 10 restaurants are either losing money or barely scraping by, with 65% continuing to operate at a loss, while only 19% are breaking even. A further 63% of foodservice businesses that are losing money expect to take at least a year to return to profitability.

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Check out this NYE ‘Fox Box’ special from our friends at Caffé La Tana, who are preparing four-course meals for two or four to mark the occasion.

The ‘Fox Box’ is an Aperitivo Box of salumi e formaggi, Savio Volpe-marinated olives, housemade Tropea onion jam, imported Marcona almonds and sea salt and olive oil crackers; hand-rolled potato gnocchi with cacio-e-pepe butter; Barolo-braised boneless short ribs in mushroom and onion braising jus served with a side of creamed kale gratino; a freshly baked Nelson the Seagull filone; and a bottle of Domenica Fiore ‘Electus’ olive oil for finishing the ribs and dipping the bread. To complete the meal, Pepino’s Spaghetti House’s decadent tiramisu ; and vino available upon request or for purchase upon pick up.

Some sage words courtesy of Minna Van, Owner of Vancouver’s Cà Phê Vietnamese Coffee House, from a recent article by Alexandra Cioppa featured in Menu Magazine that spotlights DoorDash’s new Kitchens Without Borders initiative.

The program supports immigrant-owned businesses while also raising awareness of the critical role that these entrepreneurs play in our local economies and culinary landscape. It works with immigrant- and refugee-owned businesses to help consumers find, purchase from and support these local businesses at a time they need it the most, and also supplies participants with small business coaching.

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