The grand opening of Twist by Roger Mooking marked a major milestone in ongoing upgrades to the dining program at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The new restaurant is brought to travellers by global restaurateur HMSHost, in partnership with celebrity chef, television host, and cookbook author Roger Mooking. Twist is located post-security in Terminal 1 by Gate D36 and it fits with Toronto Pearson’s and HMSHost’s dining vision to bring more local flavours into the airport.
Roger Mooking is known for his exceptional talent in the culinary and entertainment realms, making this a perfect partnership to convey HMSHost’s Feeling Good on the Move motto to guests.
“Bringing Twist to Pearson is a dream come true for me. Being in the airport has allowed me to showcase some new and exciting menu items for travellers that will give them a taste of our city’s uniquely diverse culinary scene,” says Roger Mooking. “Working with HMSHost to bring this restaurant to life has been such a great experience and I sincerely hope our guests will love what we have created together.”
Twist incorporates a “global twist” on locally sourced North American comfort foods at Toronto Pearson. With menu items created by Roger include Splat Scones, made with Devonshire cream, lavender honey, and peameal bacon; and the Fried Chicken made with Japanese spices and Thai-influenced crispy herbs with a lime honey dip for presentation and flavor.
Roger focuses on increasing the healthy, gluten free, vegetarian, and sustainable options available to travellers at the airport, with dishes that pack a powerful punch of flavor.
“Toronto Pearson has been working with local celebrity chefs over the past few years to create a strong sense of place for our passengers. We are very pleased that Roger Mooking has joined forces with our partner HMSHost to bring to life an exciting culinary experience,” says Scott Collier, vice president, customer and terminal services of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
In addition to working with HMSHost on Twist, Roger is consulting on several new dishes and influencing menu enhancements for many of HMSHost’s other restaurants at Toronto Pearson. Roger is also integrating local suppliers such as Donato Harvest, Kristapsons Salmon, Rowe Farms, Pingue Prosciutto, Sausage King, and Monte Forte Dairy into his menu creations.
“Roger has created a menu unlike anything we’ve seen before, and not just for an airport. Travellers will love the use of exotic flavours and spices,” says Amy Dunne, vice president of business development at HMSHost.
Roger is host and co-creator of the internationally broadcast television series Everyday Exotic and published an award-winning cookbook based on the show. He is also co-host of Heat Seekers on Food Network and host of Man Fire Food on Cooking Channel.
Roger has amassed multiple accolades such as The Maverick Chef Award and Premiers Award, as well as notable mentions on numerous “Best Of” lists. His culinary talent has also secured him a spot as a recurring judge on Food Network Canada’s hit show Chopped Canada and led to appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Marilyn Denis Show, Top Chef Canada, and Iron Chef.
