TORONTO, ON - In summer 2026, USA Rice strengthened its visibility in Canada’s foodservice sector through two strategic partnerships with well-known chefs and high-traffic restaurants.
Both collaborations featured a dedicated menu item available for four weeks, offering diners opportunities to experience U.S.-grown rice across different cuisines and dining occasions.
At The Port Tavern in Thornbury, Ontario, Chef Mark McEwan introduced a limited-time Tuna Poké featuring U.S. Calrose rice. Available exclusively throughout July, the summer dish combined the rice with yuzu ponzu, edamame, wakame, furikake, gochujang aioli, julienned vegetables, wasabi peas, and avocado.
In downtown Toronto, the partnership with Chef Craig Harding showcased U.S. Arborio rice in a Primavera Risotto developed specifically for the partnership. Available from late June through to the end of July, the dish highlighted how U.S.-grown rice can be incorporated into classic Italian cuisine. La Palma’s central location also provided an opportunity to reach both local diners and visitors during the busy summer tourism season, including the FIFA World Cup period.
Beyond menu placement, both partnerships leveraged the chefs’ social platforms and restaurant audiences to extend the campaign’s reach. Each collaboration included two co-shared social media posts across the chef and restaurant Instagram accounts, collectively generating 3,026 engagements and more than 25,000 impressions.
“These partnerships play an important role in bringing U.S.-grown rice to the forefront of Canada’s diverse foodservice landscape and demonstrating the value of chef-led collaborations” said USA Rice Director of International Promotion Asiha Grigsby. “These trusted, local culinary voices By working with chefs to create unique, flavorful dishes to we’re able to showcase the versatility of U.S. rice while celebrating the many cultures and cuisines that make Canada’s dining scene so dynamic.”
The summer partnerships build on USA Rice’s broader foodservice strategy in Canada, which also includes ongoing collaborations with Piano Piano across seven Ontario locations and contemporary Indian restaurant Kavita in Vancouver. Together, these partnerships continue to create opportunities to introduce U.S.-grown rice to chefs, culinary professionals, and consumers across the country.