To start the year, we invite you to discover the novelties in the field of robot delivery, which is facing certain obstacles in Canada, but also of the new ready-to-eat brand from the Restos Plaisirs group and, finally, , of Louis-François Marcotte's new challenge.

First, some restaurants in Vancouver and Toronto have already started using robots to deliver meals to their customers. However, this market faces certain obstacles, with Toronto even going so far as to prohibit their use. Yet, delivery robots can go a long way in reducing traffic and addressing concerns about climate change. In addition, in this era of labor shortages, a robot comes to support already busy employees.

The municipal authorities of several large cities have not all given their agreement, for the moment, to the use of these robots. They say they fear for the safety of certain pedestrians with low vision or low mobility, or even seniors and children.

Robot suppliers and restaurants using them, or wishing to use them soon, are trying their best to positively pressure local politicians. Before embarking on this innovation, however, they knew that they would have challenges to overcome and are not overly concerned at the moment. So it's to be continued...

Next, the Restos Plaisirs group has just launched a ready-to-eat service available to customers located in Quebec City: Hop! Toque. The objective is to offer customers meals of the same quality and flavor as in restaurants, but which can be enjoyed at home and quickly.

The chefs of their restaurants will offer a new menu every week. A grocery section is also available online. There are six pick-up points to pick up orders. Delivery is also available.

Remember that Restos Plaisirs manages several well-established brands in the greater Quebec City region and that, this summer, it joined the ranks of the Grandio Group, which also includes La Cage restaurants. This "merger" now forms a group of 55 establishments and more than 4,000 employees.

Finally, chef Louis-François Marcotte will take up a new challenge in this new year. He actually launched with the members of his family, including his wife Patricia Paquin, the new restaurant Chez Cheval, which already has 25 employees. Most of these are people living with autism spectrum disorder. Thus, more than a dozen people have been hired, whether in the kitchen, washing dishes, at the cash register or to do the service. For more details, go directly to Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Boulevard, in Mont-Saint-Hilaire. It's open seven days a week!