The man behind numerous Toronto Entertainment District restaurants, including Fred\u2019s Not Here and The Red Tomato, has died at the age of 70. <\/p>\n
Fred Luk, a Hong Kong native and Toronto culinary leader, passed away following a battle with cancer on Oct. 29, according to an obituary published on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Smart Serve Ontario, whose board Luk served on, also confirmed his death in a separate post last week.<\/p>\n
Luk`s other restaurants included Cha Cha Cha, Wally Gators, The Strip House, Filet of Sole and The Whistling Oyster.<\/p>\n
“Fred\u2019s influence extended far beyond his own restaurants. As the founder of Fred\u2019s Not Here and The Red Tomato, and through his consulting work with many of Toronto\u2019s finest establishments, he became known for his instinctive culinary sense and his ability to bring bold, creative concepts to life,” Smart Serve Ontario said in a social media post. \u201cBeyond his culinary accomplishments, Fred was a tireless advocate for the hospitality industry. He served for many years on the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel, and Motel Association\u2019s Board of Directors, including as Chair, where he championed issues affecting restaurateurs across Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luk helped develop Smart Serve Cares, a program to help hospitality workers with free mental health support. He was \u201cdriven by his deep respect and compassion for the industry\u2019s front-line staff, whose hard work and dedication he never stopped advocating for,\u201d according to Smart Serve Ontario<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fred\u2019s Not Here and The Red Tomato – closed in 2019 and Luk retired in the Niagara Region but stayed active in the industry. <\/p>\n