GenWell in the Hospitality Industry

The First-Ever GenWell Project in the Hospitality Industry – Thank You, Chef Massimo Bruno

Before the pandemic.
Before “social health” was a term most people had heard.
Before the world fully realized how disconnected we’d become…
There was a lunch.

In 2018, two years into building GenWell — Canada’s Human Connection Movement — I was introduced to Chef Massimo Bruno by someone who had attended one of his famous Supper Club dinners in Corktown, Toronto.

Massimo’s Supper Club wasn’t your typical restaurant. It was a cozy, private venue where groups could gather for unforgettable, family-style Italian meals—cooked and hosted by Massimo himself. Occasionally, he opened his doors to individuals and couples who, over the course of a single evening, shared a meal at a long family-style table—and left as friends.

When I met Massimo, he welcomed me into the Supper Club one day with a smile and freshly made pizza. In minutes, we began talking about how we might do something together, not just to share great food, but to bring people together in a meaningful way. He got the purpose and mission of GenWell from the first bite of that incredible pizza. After a few minutes, Massimo said absolutely. We decided he would host a Sunday lunch for 40 newcomers to Canada—people who had recently arrived in Toronto. But there was an important twist: each guest would be seated with a fellow Torontonian who could offer knowledge, connection, and a sense of community to help them feel more at home.

After jumping through a few hoops to find a settlement agency willing to take a chance on our idea, the plan came together. Guests would be bussed in, welcomed with warmth, and enjoy a beautiful Italian lunch alongside a fellow Torontonian—then we’d simply see what unfolded.

When the guests arrived—kids, parents, entire families—they were greeted with smiles, games for the kids, music, and a few opening words from Massimo and myself. I remember choking up watching the scene unfold. The energy in the room shifted as people began to relax, to smile, to lean in.

And then we broke bread.

We sat down and shared stories. I remember hearing about their journey, answering questions about Toronto, and asking kids if they had favourite sports or things they liked to do. The conversation was natural, open, and beautiful. They spoke about their journeys, their hopes, and their gratitude for this new chapter in Canada. I heard the same thing from the many other volunteers that we rallied to come down and share in the experience.

At the end, we handed out some sweet treats supplied by the inspiring Suzie Durigon of the @bakeitforwardproject, along with some GenWell swag to help everyone remember the day they were seen, heard, valued and welcomed.

But what stayed with me the most came later.

One of the attendees, Kathy—a mother from Kenya whom I’ve stayed in touch with since that day—shared this:

“On the bus ride down, no one spoke. Even though we lived in the same building, fear and uncertainty kept us apart. But on the ride home, it was so loud with laughter and conversation, you couldn’t hear yourself talk to the people beside you.”

That’s the power of a shared meal—not just to nourish the body, but to nourish the human spirit.

And it only happened because people like Massimo, his wife Marnee, their daughter Francesca, Suzie, and the many volunteers who stepped up were willing to be part of the solution.

Sometimes, connection starts with a smile.
Sometimes, with a cup of coffee.
And sometimes… with a plate of pasta.

Thank you to everyone who made this day and meal happen, but a special thank you to Massimo. If it wasn’t for your belief and understanding about the power of connection that comes through food, and the power of giving back, none of this would have ever happened. I truly hope GenWell can inspire this a million times over—by sharing this story and encouraging others to take action in whatever way works best for them.

To my friends in the culinary and hospitality world—if you’ve ever thought about hosting a similar event, whether on a GenWell Weekend or any time of year, feel free to reach out. Let’s make a plan. Together, we can help build a more connected Canada where everyone thrives.