ryan smolkin obituary

Ontario-born founder of Smoke's Poutinerie Ryan Smolkin dies at age 50

Smoke's Poutinerie founder and CEO, Ryan Smolkin, has died at the age of 50. 

Smolkin, who was born in Ottawa, was considered a pioneer and a trailblazer in the culinary industry thanks to his ever-growing quick-serve poutine restaurant chain. 

The Ajax-based company opened its first location in Toronto in 2008 at 218 Adelaide St. W., and went on to open more than 150 outlets in Canada and the U.S. over the next several years. 

The company attributed Smolkin's death to unexpected complications from a recent surgery. 

Smoke's Poutinerie's president and chief operating officer Mark Cunningham will be taking on Smolkin's role.

Lead photo by

Smoke's Poutinerie 


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Toronto restaurant that's served fish 'n chips for almost a century shuts down

Matty Matheson opening new restaurant in Toronto

Loblaw named among Canada's top 100 employers for 2025

Toronto restaurateur reminds us to support older restaurants if we want them to survive

Even more carrots recalled in Canada over potentially deadly contamination

Brazilian coffee chain with nearly 300 locations globally is opening in Toronto

Toronto cafe that's been around for 15 years is permanently closing

Closure of Toronto restaurant after 70 years signals change for neighbourhood