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La Belle Baguette’s Alix Loiselle played the piano nearly every day from the time he was four years old. He was in university studying music when he had to change his tune.

After Bernie Whetter left his management position at Wheat City Seeds in 2005, he found himself at a crossroads. Not knowing how to proceed, Whetter asked himself, “What do I like doing?”

It’s not uncommon to see a patron strumming on a guitar. Or friends embroiled in deep conversation on the green lounge chairs in the corner. Or grandparents encouraging their grandbabies to create something special at the art table.

Shea Ritchie grew up in the hospitality industry, helping with his father’s food service company. When he was 12, he was a dishwasher. And it wouldn’t be completely out of the ordinary to find him in the dish pit these days, either.

It’s hard to keep track of how things are changing when it comes to food. A good place to start is to borrow insights and learnings from people who have already spent time and energy in an area.

Borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbour is commonplace. But it’s rare when a neighbour comes knocking for a sourdough starter to add to a batch of beer.