Family Business since 1950's

RITCHIE FAMILY'S CATERING VENTURES STORY

The Ritchie family is the pioneering family behind this successful business that has passed along for generations, and still continue making a legacy in Manitoba. Since the early 1950s, the Ritchies are making history, particularly in Winnipeg, contributing to the economical boost of the province in many sectors.

Daniel Anthony Ritchie, who was affectionately known as Commodore Ritchie, was born in Alberta and grew up in Battleford, SK. He left home at 16 to work for CN Rail in his first food-service job, and then joined the air force during the World War II. Once back in private life, Ritchie worked in food service at the Toronto International Airport. His brother Lorne said he needed help in his mobile catering business, so he packed his family and moved back to Winnipeg. Dan and Lorne Ritchie pioneered the INDUSTRIAL CATERING business wayback in the early 1950s, where their mobile catering business operated through 13 catering trucks, delivering food & beverage within construction sites in the city of Winnipeg, that would then put vending machines into the completed buildings. The Ritchie brothers managed to established their name in the food service industry in Manitoba since then and made their business well known, especially on catering services. He re-vamped his business and evolved as Continental Caterers Ltd., an extensive cafeteria operations that caters mostly in workplaces. Pepsi Cola company became the first in-plant feeding they operated and followed by the Canada Post Office in the former downtown building.

In this photo: Dan Ritchie

AND THE DRIVE INNS WERE ESTABLISHED

Dan's entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the restaurant industry led him to establish a chain of seven drive-in restaurants known as The Millionaire Drive Inns in the late 1950s. The drive-inn's were popularized by having the first canopy, and music offerings while boasting one of the tallest signs in all of Canada. The drive-in was located near Inkster and McPhillips, where a McDonald's now stands. As his enterprise grew, he also opened The Snow Cap

Drive-Inn on Nairn Avenue. Beyond catering, Dan's passion for vehicles, antiques, and art inspired the Motor Club Drive-Inn near present-day Polo Park. Visitors immersed themselves in his collections while being enticed to purchase coffee and donuts, designed to encourage them to spend more hours at his drive-in.

GRANT RITCHIE CONTINUED THE LEGACY FROM 1968

The business continued and passed along to the second generation owner, Grant Ritchie (Dan's son) since 1968. 50 years running his own Food Service Business serving the Winnipeg and surrounding region, Grant managed to run consistently 50+ food service sites. Passionate for truly customized customer service in the ever changing food service Industry, the 2nd generation food service owner and dynamic business community leader engages steadily in the financial risk analysis, operational strategy, and personnel management of the organization.

Inheriting his father’s entrepreneurial skills and heart for serving quality services, Grant envisioned the business in a larger scale, which is accessible daily to any individual in the city, and started venturing the school and corporate cafeterias in Winnipeg. Utilizing exceptional client acquisition skills, he successfully secured contracts, leading to substantial business growth consistently for five decades.

Grant extended his commitment to family involvement by exposing his children to the family business and passing on his full knowledge. His daughter, Musette, gained rich exposure to the business's operations and later continued her father's legacy. Today, she occupies the office of the Director of Operations, managing client relations, overseeing daily operations, and actively pursuing new opportunities for the business's growth.

In this Photo: GRANT RITCHIE - the second generation business owner

BIRTH OF THE GO FRESH IN 2014: MUSETTE’S TURN

In her role as Director of Operations, Musette, alongside her husband Jeridon, played a pivotal role in shaping the company's trajectory. With her father’s continued coaching & consulting advisory until today, they cultivated a culture of collaboration and innovation, drawing in top-tier talent and establishing strategic partnerships that significantly expanded Go Fresh Hospitality's reach and influence, contributing to the formation of GFH as it stands today.

Go Fresh Hospitality (GFH) - where culinary expertise meets exceptional service to create unforgettable experiences. With a passion for crafting extraordinary events, GFH prides on delivering a diverse range of catering services tailored to your unique needs.

The whole team understands the significance of every occasion. Whether it's a corporate event, life celebration, or a casual gathering, our team is dedicated to ensuring your culinary vision comes to life. Go Fresh offers a variety of menu options, from elegant plated dinners to creative buffet spreads, showcasing the finest local ingredients and culinary craftsmanship.

What sets GFH apart is the commitment to excellence in every aspect. From the initial consultation to the moment your guests savour our delectable dishes, the attentive team strives to exceed your expectations. They value the importance of detail, ensuring seamless coordination and impeccable presentation at every event. As advocates for sustainability, Go Fresh prioritizes environmentally friendly practices in their operations. We source locally whenever possible and minimize our ecological footprint to contribute to a healthier planet. Discover the difference of working with a catering partner that values your satisfaction above all else. At Go Fresh, they turn events into extraordinary memories, one exquisite dish at a time.