The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects across the globe. On top of the health repercussions businesses have been closing across the region as they are unable to financially support themselves without the steady stream of customers that not only keep the doors open but people employed.

Few sectors have been hit harder in this regard than the service industry as, not deemed essentially, in March 2020 business had to close their doors and let many members of staff go. Over 800,000 people lost their jobs within the service industry in Canada within the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and even during the summer when some sense of normality was returned, it was at a cut capacity and with reduced staffing.

This was exactly what happened to Michel Gaumond, a popular chef based in Orleans. But, with set back comes opportunity and Michel took the bold step to trade in someone's else's kitchen for one of his own.

Based in Cumberland Michel and his business partner's new restaurant is called Maker Food Co. and we caught up with the chef to talk us through his bold move and new business venture.

Michel told us that he saw an opportunity to accomplish a life long dream and that if he didn't do it now he may never take the leap. When questioned about the difficulties of opening such a business in the middle of a global pandemic, Michel simply said that starting a business like this is always hard and that, having never done it before he had nothing to compare it to...