A local restaurant is celebrating its grand opening by giving back to the community it serves.
Riso Kitchen in Lakeshore will provide a variety of gluten-free and healthy food options in a cafe and takeout format. The eatery will hold a grand opening on Saturday afternoon and all proceeds raised will benefit the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association (WEFBA).
The cafe is co-owned by cousins Semih Ozoglu and Senol Eskici, who have a combined 35 years experience in the foodservice industry.
Food bank association president June Muir said the need for food in the community is more acute thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic taking a toll on the local economy.
"Community support for food assistance is always appreciated, and right now as we continue to live with the COVID-19 pandemic, events like this are so important by helping us to continue to feed those in need," said Muir, who is also the CEO of the Unemployed Help Centre. "I am so grateful to Semih and Senol for reaching out and wanting to help us."
The WEFBA represents 15 food banks in the region, including the Downtown Mission, Drouillard Place, the Salvation Army, and the Windsor Homes Coalition.
Gluten-free food options have become more common in recent years. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, about one per cent of Canadians are affected by celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to react against gluten.
Chas Andersson, Ontario business development specialist for the RICCO Group of Companies, which acts as a food supplier to Riso Kitchen, said the new establishment fills a void in the community.
"Now more than ever, there is a large demand for gluten-free products and consumers obviously want it to taste great," said Andersson. "As more and more people are eating gluten-free we love seeing restaurants like Riso Kitchen offering delicious, fresh food using quality ingredients and catering to a segment of the population that previously didn’t enjoy much variety."
Riso Kitchen is located at 33 Amy Croft Dr. Menu items include gluten-free pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
The grand opening runs Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors will be treated to complimentary pizza, slushies, and prizes, and can enter a raffle to win one of three gift baskets. With COVID-19 protocols in place, masks and face coverings are required. Additional donations to the WEFBA will also be welcomed.
For complete information about the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association, visit its official website.