Recipefiesta

A Paramount Fine Foods outpost in Mississauga has been left completely destroyed after a three-alarm fire broke out at the restaurant on Sunday evening, covering the surrounding the area with heavy plumes of smoke for hours.

Multiple fire crews began battling the massive blaze at the chain's Erin Mills Town Centre location around 6 p.m. and continued on as the situation worsened and the structure was gradually engulfed.

FULLY INVOLVED: @MississaugaFES crews o/s fire tears thru the roof Paramount Fine Foods restaurant - Erin Mills Town Center. Now a second alarm, defensive attack with 3 aerials set-up. No injuries reported. @PeelPolice have CLOSED Eglinton Ave W at fire scene. pic.twitter.com/a2lcDVvDUc

— Graham Paine (@GPmedia_24) May 30, 2021

The situation progressed to the point that it became unsafe for firefighters to remain inside the building, and so crews moved to using a defensive approach with aerial trucks to douse the collapsing roof.

The flames apparently began above the drop ceiling and spread to the ventilation system while employees were still in the building, unaware until someone outside noticed the unignorable exterior flames and quickly brought it to their attention.

.@MississaugaFES crews continue fire operations at a detached restaurant, incident now a third alarm. Roof has completely collapsed into the building. Four elevated master streams, several hand lines and deck guns in use. @ONFireMarshal notified. No injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/RCwIetuS7q

— Andrew Collins (@ACollinsPhoto) May 31, 2021

Thankfully, everyone was evacuated safely and no injuries have been reported.

But, there has been extensive damage of upwards of $500,000 to the location, which has been completely gutted inside and is no longer structurally sound.

#BREAKING: 4 ladders and at least 11 fire trucks working this massive fire near Erin Mills Parkway and Eglinton Ave W in #Mississauga. Chief Rizzi says no injuries but damage to Paramount Fine Foods is in excess of $500,000. Roof has collapsed. @CP24 pic.twitter.com/xdsJwzEmXS

— Marc Liverman (@MarcLiverman) May 31, 2021

The chain, which offers authentic Middle Eastern fare, was founded by CEO Mohamad Fakih, a prominent and heavily active community member known for his charity work, philanthropy and for generally helping out others.

Many are questioning and speculating about the cause of the blaze, which is now being thoroughly investigated by officials given its magnitude.

Fire crews are fighting a two-alarm fire at a Paramount Fine Foods restaurant in Mississauga Erin Mills Town Center. #mississaugaparamountfire pic.twitter.com/eFX768OAkY

— Afraa Alvi (@afraaalvi) May 31, 2021

Fakih told 680 News that "sometimes things happen with the hood, with the exhaust system...we'll find out soon the real reason behind the fire," adding that above all, he is thankful that staff, shoppers and neighbours are safe.

He has also asked for simple prayers and support from the community, which has already been pouring out over social media, especially given how unendurable the pandemic has been for so many businesses.

#Mississauga Fire on scene of a multiple alarm fire at Erin Mills Town Centre this evening.

No injuries were reported at this stubborn fire, crews will be on scene for quite some time here.@IAFF1212 pic.twitter.com/3X5T5lNrKJ

— Derek Craig (@DerekCraiggers) May 31, 2021

"Sorry to learn of this fire. A setback you don’t need. Must be painful. Glad no one was hurt. Thinking of you & team," one resident said to Fakih on Twitter.

"Sad to see this location lost, especially considering the amazing and giving people at this company. I hope all affected will be supported and come back stronger," another added.

Fakih has been taking the time to thank everyone for their kind messages as he deals with the fallout, and appears to be remaining hopeful, grateful and in as good of spirits as possible after such a blow.

Finding a good job in Toronto can be tough but the economy could be turning around as we near the end of the pandemic.

And with time to think during lockdown, about one in four Canadians have been considering a career change. The urge to reinvent yourself is common during times of change and disruption. So if the pandemic has jolted you out of your comfort zone and you're looking for a change, there are some opportunities out there.

Here are some interesting jobs you can apply for in Toronto right now.

Tech

1. Turn your Tiktok addiction into a career

The video-sharing, social network service hails from China but the company has several job opportunities in Toronto. Have skills in marketing or sales? Tiktok might be the place for you.

2. Help develop new games

A passion for gaming could turn into full-time gig with Sledgehammer Games, developer of Call of Duty, who's looking to build a new Toronto team. They are looking for people who have a background in programming with experience designing games.

3. Game designer

Another game developer, Gameloft, known for video racing game, Asphalt, is looking for a 3D animator and game designer. You will need to have a passion for free-to-play games.

4. Work for Apple Canada

Apple has a bunch of jobs posted — from technical specialist to management. Just a note some of these jobs are in the Apple Store so you will need customer service skills as well as a knowledge of the products.

5. Be a DoorDash engineer

The food delivery service is hiring an engineering manager in Toronto. You will need more than five years engineering experience to snag this job.

6. Work at Wayfair

This e-commerce giant recently announced plans to hire approximately 1,000 new technologists over the next year alone. Currently, job listings in Toronto include everything from engineers to researchers.

7. Go behind the scenes in event ticket sales

Vivid Seats, the largest independent online ticket marketplace, sending tens of millions of fans to live events, has several engineering positions open in Toronto. 

8. Uber jobs

You don't need to own a car for these tech jobs at Uber. The ride-hailing and food delivery company has positions open for software engineers, management and strategic planning.

Streaming giant Netflix is hiring right now. Photo via Netflix.

Media

9. Create content for blogTO

If you have a nose for news or shine in front of and behind the camera, blogTO has openings for a Managing Editor, Digital Reporter and Social Video Reporters. Come work with us!

10. Work in publishing

Canada's largest book publisher has positions open in Toronto. Penguin Random House Canada is looking for an executive assistant to the CEO and a temporary imprint sales manager.

11. Netflix is hiring

One of the world's largest streaming entertainment service recently announced it had selected Toronto for its new Canadian headquarters. More jobs should be coming soon but for now, there is a job listed for a corporate tax manager.

Public relations

12. Join Creator Toronto

Creator Toronto is a small startup clothing brand based in Toronto, looking to expand. Those new to the job market might want to check out these content creator and digital marketer positions. 

13. Work for Embr

One of Canada's fastest growing promotion and experiential marketing agency, Embr, is hiring an operations coordinator based in either Toronto or Vancouver.

Work with animals

14. Help wildlife

Known for rescuing wild animals in and around Toronto, the Toronto Wildlife Centre needs a digital content coordinator. This organization is dedicated to educating the public on wildlife issues and you could be part of their team.

15. Pet detective

Posted as a pet detective, this job with Blue Buffalo, a global pet food company, is really a part-time position promoting the brand in pet stores but perks include being around animals and getting pet adoption reimbursement.

16. Toronto Humane Society jobs

While they don't pay much, if you love animals, working with the Humane Society could be rewarding. They are currently looking for pet support agents who will primarily be responsible for day-to-day retail sales and adoptions, as well as the food bank and insurance programs.

Arts

17. Storyboard artist for films

Snapz Productions is looking for a storyboard artist who can translate the script and directors vision into pictures.

18. Illustrator

Create graphic elements and content for Nevvon, a global healthcare education company with an e-training platform designed to simplify mandatory annual education for caregivers.

Toronto jewelry brand Mejuri is hiring. Photo by Fareen Karim.

Retail

19. Work with crystals

Happy Soul Crystal Shop in Toronto is looking to hire three full-time retail staff, one inventory product assembler associate and one promotions marketing associate/assistant. This is the perfect job for those interested in crystals and spirituality with minimal experience.

20. A career at Holt Renfrew

The Canadian luxury department store chain has several jobs listed including production assistant, sales associates, beauty advisor, concierge and personal shopping assistant. There’s even a vice president position based in North York, which pays $200,000-$260,000 per year.

21. Jewelry jobs 

Luxury of online jewelry store, Mejuri, has multiple jobs in Toronto including sales associate/stylist, customer service rep, store keyholder, photo producer, content writer, IT support specialist and email marketing manager.

22. Be a beauty specialist

The French fashion house, Chanel, has jobs in the Toronto area including fashion advisors, beauty specialists and a boutique director.

Other cool jobs

23. Flight coordinator

You will need customer service experience for this job as a flight coordinator with Chartright Air Group. Job tasks include monitoring flights to ensure safe and timely departures and arrivals and operating as a communication hub between clients, flight crew and management.

24. For food-lovers

CozyMeal has openings in Toronto for food-lovers and beer/wine connoisseurs. Jobs include wine or brewery tour guides.

25. Work for democracy

The next provincial election is coming up in 2022, which means there is work to be done to get ready. Elections Ontario has several positions including election clerk jobs, paying $37/hour, to work on specific electoral districts.

Toronto saw scorching hot temperatures of 34 C and a spring snowfall in a matter of just a few days last week, and things are about to heat up once again.

The good news is snowstorms are finally a thing of the past (for the next few months anyway). 

It's going to feel like 33 C with humidity come Saturday and a sizzling 36 C by Sunday after a much more moderate few days through the week, according to The Weather Network.

Courtesy of The Weather Network

The week's forecast predicts a cooler 23 to 24 C and plenty of sunshine for most of the week. A bit of rain and cooler 20 C temperatures on Thursday will break up the sun.

But the 28 C on Saturday is forecasted to be a humid one making the city feel much hotter. The steamy weekend will continue into Sunday with Monday coming in hot – it could feel like 37 C.

The meteorologists over at Environment Canada are forecasting similar temperatures through the week and weekend. 

With temperatures reaching these highs, make sure to stay hydrated and load up on the SPF if you plan on being outside to enjoy it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will officially have fans in the stands tonight when they take on the Montreal Canadiens during an historic Game 7 in the NHL Playoffs at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.

"Following discussions with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health and hospital partners, I am happy to announce that they have signed off on allowing 550 fully vaccinated frontline health care workers, including hospital and long-term care staff, to be invited to attend Game 7..." reads a statement released by Premier Doug Ford Monday morning.

"This small token of appreciation doesn't measure up to the sacrifices they've made during COVID-19, but it is an opportunity for us to recognize their heroic efforts to keep each and every one of us safe."

I can’t think of a better way to support the @MapleLeafs in this crucial game than having our health care heroes cheer them on in person. Go Leafs Go! #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/1TczhOPEEU

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 31, 2021

The move comes less than 24 hours after the province's Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Culture and Sport denied a request for fully-vaccinated healthcare workers to attend attend Game 7 of the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena Monday night.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown had been leading the charge in asking the province to allow some 2,500 "healthcare heroes and essential workers" to attend Game 7 of the Leafs vs. Habs series in Toronto.

Inspired by the presence of spectators inside Montreal's Bell Centre for Game 6 of the series on Saturday, Brown launched a petition called Hockey 4 Heroes that stated "essential workers deserve to be rewarded for being on the frontlines of the fight against Covid-19."

Thank you @fordnation for supporting our proposal! #Hockey4Heroes. This is an awesome way to give the Leafs a boost and safely acknowledge our healthcare heroes. 👏👏👏👏#LeafsForever #GoLeafsGo #LeafsvsHabs #onpoli #COVID19Ontario https://t.co/oSYJxfZIyS

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) May 31, 2021

All hopes were thwarted within just a few hours of Brown's petition launch, however, when the Ontario government — the only governing body that could allow such a thing to happen in Toronto — shot down his request.

"The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health reviewed and approved the NHL's return-to-play plan for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators. The return-to-play plan includes rigorous health and safety protocols developed to ensure the safety of players, staff, their families, and the community," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Sport Sunday afternoon.

"At this time, no spectators are allowed to attend games in-person."

"If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. https://t.co/1i9PNJwknT

— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownont) May 30, 2021

Fans in Toronto are stoked to now learn that at least a fraction of the healthcare workers Brown had petitioned for will be at the game to cheer on the Leafs.

"Every single day our health care workers put their lives on the line to help others," wrote Ford in his statement Monday morning, noting that the move will not only act to reward their heroic efforts, but to show Ontarians that "the more of us who get vaccinated, the faster we can return to doing the things we miss."

"There's nothing Team Ontario can’t do when we are all working together and I can’t think of a better way to support the Blue and White in this crucial game than having our health care heroes cheer them on in person," continued the premier. "Go Leafs go!"

They have worked tirelessly for us, for well over a year.
If anyone deserves to be inside Scotiabank Arena tonight to cheer on our Toronto Maple Leafs, it's fully vaccinated frontline health workers. https://t.co/lQAxErJx9D

— Lynn of the Valley 🎉Let's Get Vaccinated🎉 (@LynnHolliday8) May 31, 2021

Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment will cover the cost of all 550 tickets, and Scotiabank will provide each frontline worker with a free jersey (presumably a Leafs jersey) to wear.

All invited guests will have received doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago and typical enhanced public health measures such as screening, masking, distancing and crowd control will be in place throughout the venue, which has a regular capacity of nearly 20,000 people.

As for how eligible workers can score tickets, the province has yet to announce a formal application system, but early reports suggest that some organizations have recieved emails informing employees to enter into a lottery system for tickets to tonight's game.

A northern detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police has charged six GTA residents for violating emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) after the group was found gathered in a short-term rental along Lake Simcoe north of Barrie.

Authorities said in a statement released on Sunday that they were called to the scene of a suspected indoor party in Oro-Medonte late in the evening of May 22 over the Victoria Day weekend (surprise, surprise).

Unfortunately for those inside, their IDs gave away the fact that they were from out of town, which did not exactly please the local officers. But, the charges were based on the size of the indoor gathering and not the fact that the attendees traveled from another region.

Airbnbs have been a contentious issue in the small township of 21,000 or so, with some — including the municipality itself — looking for stronger rules surrounding them up to full bans, especially amid the pandemic. Others are formally appealing such rigid regulations.

Illicit gatherings in general, meanwhile, have been an ongoing issue in various parts of the province where people have been busted attending massive parties in residences and commercial spaces, huge car meet-ups, and other get-togethers.

In parts of the province that are north of the Toronto area, it seems that officials have even cracked down on people from different households riding in vehicles together or hanging out in parking lots in close proximity.

Typical May 2-4 long weekend gatherings and usual celebrations had to be severely toned down provincewide this year given that we are still under stringent lockdown and a stay-at-home order.

Thankfully, restrictions are easing over the coming weeks as we enter Premier Doug Ford and his team's 3-Step Roadmap to Reopening — including gathering limits, which were expanded to five people from any household outdoors on May 22, and are due to be upped to 10 outdoors on June 14.

Indoor private get-togethers, though, have been completely prohibited in parts of the province such as Toronto since all the way back in November.

Toronto has a new breakout mukbang star who's risen to YouTube fame during the pandemic.

His name is Vartan Kavafian, but he's known as VartanFresh on YouTube and TikTok. He started his YouTube channel just over a year ago and has gained more than 140,000 followers during that time, with over 165,000 followers on TikTok.

Kavafian describes mukbang as "the art of eating a lot of food for others to watch," a growing YouTube trend with its origins in South Korea. Some "mukbangers" have subscribers in the millions. He says he's able to eat between 3,000 and 5,000 calories in 10 minutes.

Kavafian had been working at his family's business, a small chain called Fresh Burger that was hurt by COVID-19. He started his YouTube channel as a potential second source of income, just in case.

He also realized that people stuck at home during lockdowns would be on the internet more, and ramped up the number of videos he was uploading.

Kavafian says he is also extremely shy and challenging himself to make videos and a YouTube channel has been a major accomplishment.

He decided on mukbang videos specifically for his content because of his love of eating and food, and also because he loves watching mukbang videos and comes from a restaurant family.

"I never knew how to communicate with people. When I started my YouTube channel, I was nervous. While I love to eat, I was not sure if I would have that camera presence required to attract viewers," Kavafian tells blogTO.

"Shockingly, my personality turned on as soon as the camera was on. Anyone who knows me watching my videos would say that this is not the same Vartan."

He has an infectious grin in his videos, gesturing with his hands and making eye contact with the camera, holding food up to the lens for crystal clear close-ups then taking massive, enthusiastic bites.

He's got a video of himself eating food from Fresh Burger, as well as places like Taco Bell, Costco and Five Guys and local Toronto restaurants like Birria Catrina and Lahore Tikka House.

One of his most successful so far, though, has been his ASMR video eating Jollibee chicken (and lots more), which has 1.1 million views.

When he started ramping up video production to four uploads a week, views tripled and he started gaining over 1,000 subscribers a day. Video production has become his full-time career and he's no longer working at Fresh Burger, taking his YouTube gig as seriously as any job and earning $6,000 to $8,000 a month plus sponsorships.

Kavafian visits the doctor regularly and works out for a minimum of two hours every day, including an hour and a half of weights and 30 to 60 minutes of cardio. He drinks green shakes of blended kale, spinach and water every day and eats plain chicken breast and rice on days he doesn't film.

He's so committed to uploading content on a consistent basis that if he makes a mistake or his video doesn't turn out the way he wants, he eats everything all over again, adding to an already punishing weekly calorie intake.

The channel's success hasn't just been good for Kavafian personally, it's also helped increase brand awareness for Fresh Burger, who he says many of his Toronto subscribers haven't heard of. Aside from Fresh Burger, his favourite restaurant in Toronto to order from is Descendent Pizza; he loves their Detroit-style pies.

Kavafian is planning on expanding soon with a new videographer and editor as well as streaming on Twitch and possibly starting another channel with eating challenges.

Ultimately he hopes to hire a whole team of videographers and editors and continue to branch out into other forms of vlogging content, and might even use his earnings to open up a Fresh Burger location of his own one day.

"I found success in adversity, as sad as COVID was, I found an opportunity without which this would not have happened," says Kavafian.

Sapori has ceased restaurant operations and has now vacated their location on Dundas West.

But there's still hope for lovers of artfully arranged mass quantities of meat and cheese.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sapori (@saporitoronto)

Owner Ryan Sciara says the restaurant closed because they couldn't financially afford to stay open and the bank kept freezing their accounts because they couldn't pay their business loan.

They tried to mitigate expenses over the winter but unfortunately the landlord could not continue to wait for them, and they mutually agreed Sapori would leave the space so the landlord could find a new tenant.

Sapori shut down operations on Nov. 1, 2020 and officially left the space on Feb. 15, 2021.

The space is slated to become a second location for pizza restaurant Revolver, which should be opening in July.

Sapori lives on as an online charcuterie board delivery business, with Sciara launching his own line of local retail products and operating out of the Tanto space.